“In a season once again decimated by the pandemic, digital shows dominated. Very few live runway events took place, suggesting yet another lean season for emerging models. But, in the shows that did go on, exciting new faces emerged.”

For Document casting director Angus Munro, these new models embody the youthful, unconventional vitality of fashion seasons soon to come. From the swamplands of Southern Sudan to the Croation coast, these models are in the earliest stages of promising careers—inspired by the fearlessness of industry luminaries, and by the ingenuity of their contemporaries from all corners of the fashion world.

For Document, the young models share the experiences that shaped them, their scouting stories, and their aspirations for the unpredictable future. As Munro says, it is “testament to the resilience of our industry” that—despite lockdowns, quarantines, and travel restrictions—the fashion world remains a fertile seedbed for the creativity and connections that enrich it in turn.

Alma C wears t-shirt by CELINE by Hedi Slimane. Necklace model’s own.

Alma C

Where are you from? Can you describe your hometown?
I was born in Sweden, but my roots are in Bosnia. My hometown is very chill. Most people there live a simple lifestyle, feeding animals and taking care of the harvest. The nature is also very beautiful.

How did you get into modeling?
I was scouted outside of an Ariana Grande concert when I was 14. I didn’t really work much though. This winter was my first time working with bigger brands, after I did my first job with YSL.

Who is your fashion industry icon?
I think Stella Lucia is a very cool model. I like her style and uniqueness. Most of her work and shoots are very creative and stand out from the rest.

What would you like to do after modeling?
I’ve always enjoyed baking and making sweet kawaii pastries. I would love to go to bakery school in the future, maybe open my own small cafe. But I’m also very interested in cartoons and animation, so maybe I would like to work in that industry too.

Lisa Lu wears hoodie by CELINE by Hedi Slimane.

Lisa Lu

Where are you from? Can you describe your hometown?
I was born and raised in Paris, the capital of France, of art, and of fashion. For me, this city is inarguably one of the most beautiful in the world,

Who are your industry icons?
My mom, even though she is not in the industry and not a model. She has always been, and will always be, my source of inspiration and a model to me.

What would you like to do after modeling?
To be honest, I don’t know what the future holds for me. I always liked fashion, and to travel and meet new people. For now, modeling makes me very happy. We will see where the future will take me.

Swati Eck wears t-shirt and jeans by CELINE by Hedi Slimane.

Swati Eck

Where are you from? Can you describe your hometown?
I grew up in Paris with my parents and my three brothers and sisters. At 17, I moved to London for my studies. I am Indian on my mother’s side and French on my father’s side. Even though I have always lived in Paris, most of my family lived in India, so I used to visit them very regularly. I remember summers spent in India at my house in Pondicherry. It was completely different from Paris but the feeling of being at home was the same. Nevertheless, Paris remains my hometown: it’s where I grew up, where I met my best friends and my boyfriend, where I spent my best nights, and where I created my best memories.

How did you get into modeling?
I was scouted in 2019 at We Love Green, a music festival in Paris. I had my first meeting a month later with my now-mother agency New Madison and after the summer, when I went back to Paris, I signed a contract with them. Being based in London and having my agency in Paris, with the photo tests and the making of my book, it took some time. Add covid to that, and I really only started working in June 2020.

Who are you inspired by in the fashion industry?
I absolutely love Maria Grazia Chiuri’s work for Dior. Her sense of detail and her overflowing imagination allows her to create magical pieces and collections. Each show is a different universe and transports you into an enchanted dimension. My photographer icon is Paolo Roversi because I am impressed by his singular technique and exceptional talent; every picture is a work of art. The first campaign I did was shot by him and I have incredible memories of it.

What would you like to do after modeling?
I am currently in my third year of a Civil Engineering master’s degree, with a minor in Entrepreneurship, at UCL. After modeling, I would like to either do a second degree or work in the architecture and design industry.

Adit Priscilla wears t-shirt by CELINE by Hedi Slimane.

Adit Priscilla Ajhok Deng

Where are you from? Can you describe your hometown?
I’m from South Sudan. The Nuer people’s expansion into what is now the Jonglei state began in earnest in the early 19th century, displacing other ethnic communities, so the region has long been at war. [Jonglei also has] a rich biodiversity that includes lush savanna, swamp lands, and rain forests that are home to many species of wildlife.

Who are your industry icons and why?
I was discovered by Joram Muzira Job during his scouting tour in 2018 when I was 16 years old. He is my industry icon because he always believes in me, he is always there for me. He actually raised me! Also, Naomi Campbell, because she was an inspiration for how to talk in public and how to be confident. She is everything. She is so amazing, I wish to meet her in person one day!

What would you like to do after modeling?
I would like to act in a movie after modeling. I would also like to build my hometown to make it as big as Paris!

Left: Iris Delcourt wears t-shirt by CELINE by Hedi Slimane. Right: Iris Delcourt wears sweater by CELINE by Hedi Slimane.

Iris Delcourt

Where are you from?
I’m from Paris and I loved growing up there. For me, it’s the city of all possibilities, culture, and creative boiling!

How did you get started as a model?
I was scouted in the street six years ago, but I waited until I turned 18 to really start to work, and here I am!

Who do you look up to in the fashion industry?
I would say Linda Evangelista, because she was my strength when I cut my hair, and Louise de Chevigny isan elegance icon, the new Inès de la Fressange!

What would you like to do after modeling?
I am studying fabric design, painting, and photography. Bonding these studies with modeling is giving me an incredibly rich perspective on the world. Modeling gave me the chance to meet such interesting people, and I had the privilege to work with them not only as a model but as an artist.

Left: Mary Duleu wears t-shirts by CELINE by Hedi Slimane. Right: Mary Duleu wears hoodie by CELINE by Hedi Slimane.

Mary Duleu

Can you describe your hometown?
I have always lived in Tourcoing, a city in northern France with a beautiful historical heritage. I am part of an audiovisual association that helps people discover my city through photos and videos.

How did you get into modeling?
I was scouted by Laura from my mother agency VIA Model Management and with her I started a great adventure. I started modeling during Paris Fashion Week in September 2020 and since then I have been living my best dream.

Who are your fashion industry icons?
I love photographers like Damon Baker and David LaChapelle, who inspire me to realize my own photographs. I admire the incredible talent of designers like Anthony Vaccarello for Saint Laurent or Julien Dossena for Paco Rabanne. In the fashion world, every person I meet inspires me enormously.

What would you like to do after modeling?
I want to continue modeling as long as possible. Then I would like to become a fashion photographer. I am currently in my last year of high school, studying photography.

Left: Karla Koncurat wears t-shirts by CELINE by Hedi Slimane. Right: Karla Koncurat wears hoodie by CELINE by Hedi Slimane.

Karla Koncurat

Where are you from? Can you describe your hometown?
I’m from Zadar, Croatia. Zadar is a small town on the coast and it is really beautiful. My favorite part about my city is that it is small so you can go exploring and still have time to make it back home for dinner.

How did you get into modeling?
My mom and I were running through the city because our parking ticket was about to expire, and we noticed that some lady was running after us trying to stop us. We thought she was a tourist since she started speaking in English. It was so funny because we started speaking in English and after a couple of minutes we realized that we were from the same city, Zadar. She thought we were tourists and we thought she was a tourist. The lady was Anna from Colors Model Management, my mother agency today.

What would you like to do after modeling?
I don’t know what I would like to do after modeling. Maybe give my voice to some crazy Disney cartoon or maybe become a tattoo artist—or just become your kids’ favorite music teacher.

Metta Irebe wears t-shirts by CELINE by Hedi Slimane. Earring (worn throughout) model’s own.

Metta Irebe

Where are you from? What is your hometown like?
I’m originally from Rwanda, but I was raised in Belgium. I now live in a little village in the countryside called Sint-Agatha Rode. It’s such a quiet, peaceful place, full of fields and forest but not many people!

How did you get into modeling?
I got scouted for my first shoot at a summer party in Brussels. I thought, ‘Why not,’ because I had just started homeschooling and didn’t have much going on for myself. After that, I got scouted on Instagram. My pictures were sent to Modelpartner, which is now my mother agency, and it was just up from there.

Who are your industry icons?
I would have to say Alek Wek. She is such a beautiful, inspiring woman who paved the way for a lot of us. She [began working] in this industry at such a different time and regardless of that she is still an icon to this day.

What would you like to do after modeling?
This is a question I ask myself every day. All I can come up with is that I would love to major in social psychology, and maybe do something with that, but for now I’m keeping my options open.

Seng Khan wears t-shirt by CELINE by Hedi Slimane. Jeans model’s own.

Seng Khan

Where are you from? Can you describe your hometown?
I was born in Paris and my heritage is Vietnamese and Laotian. Laos is a small country, everyone knows each other. I love Laos because even if people don’t have a lot of money, they instantly help you. Some of the landscapes are untouched and you can truly see the wild nature and animals.

How did you get into the business?
When I was younger, I thought about modeling, and everyone around me encouraged me to do casting, but I preferred to concentrate on my studies first. When I was about to finish my bachelor’s degree, my mother agent scouted me on the street. She introduced me to WOMEN and that’s how it all started.

What would you like to do after modeling?
I intended to follow my study path in social science, but I really like the world of fashion, so I’m wondering if I would like to continue in this world or to get back to my initial ambitions.

Left: Betty Schupp wears t-shirt and jeans by CELINE by Hedi Slimane. Earrings (worn throughout) model’s own. Right: Betty Schupp wears sweater by CELINE by Hedi Slimane.

Betty Schupp

Where are you from? Can you describe your hometown?
I’m from Stuttgart in the south of Germany. Growing up there as a child was very peaceful and enjoyable, since I lived in a small neighborhood where all my friends lived practically across the street from me.

How did you get into the modeling industry?
When I lived in Barcelona, from 2018 to 2019, I was approached by the owner of a small boutique. She asked if I wanted to take part in a shoot for an upcoming collection, which I then did. That experience made me realize how much fun I have while modeling. Upon moving to Berlin, I started searching for an agency and, relatively quickly, signed with my mother agency, MINT. I couldn’t imagine a better career choice for myself.

Who are some of your fashion industry icons?
The fashion industry is filled with many talented and creative people. Among those are, of course, Iman and Naomi Campbell, as two of the first Black supermodels. I would have loved to work with Peter Lindbergh, who I appreciate for the way in which he portraits women. There are so many more people I look forward to working with in the future, like Pat McGrath, Dapper Dan, Hugo Comte, and Tom Ford.

Left: Alice Da Luz wears t-shirt by CELINE by Hedi Slimane. Earrings (worn throughout) model’s own. Right: Alice Da Luz wears t-shirt and jeans by CELINE by Hedi Slimane.

Alice Da Luz

Where are you from? What is your hometown like?
My family is originally from Cape Verde, but I was born in France and I spent my whole life in the countryside 30 minutes away from Paris. My home is neither too far nor too close to the center of Paris, which is perfect for me. It helps me to keep my soul and mood balanced. I’m a big nature lover, and I can go for a walk in a peaceful green park near my house or in the forest, while staying close to the center of Paris for work and school.

Who are your fashion industry icons?
It’s quite difficult for me to pick one icon, as many people inspire me in this industry. Anybody who lives life with passion amazes me, it could be a random person I met at a bakery.

What would you like to do after modeling?
That’s a huge question that I’m still asking myself! I would try to combine everything I’m currently doing to build my future. I’m studying law, acting, and modeling, and as long as I can keep doing all three my life will be perfect!

Left: Emma Todt wears t-shirts by CELINE by Hedi Slimane. Necklace model’s own. Right: Emma Todt wears t-shirt by CELINE by Hedi Slimane.

Emma Todt

Where are you from? Can you describe your hometown?
I was born in Berlin and grew up in Potsdam, just a few steps from the border to Berlin. My hometown is beautiful in a lot of ways. It has a lot of nature, lakes, historic castles, and mixed architecture. But the most interesting thing about Potsdam, for me, is the many places which were important in German history. For example, 32 years ago, the Berlin Wall went through the street I grew up in.

Who are you inspired by in the fashion industry?
I admire Amanda Gorman, who just signed with IMG models. I was overwhelmed by her performance during the inauguration of Joe Biden, where she presented her own poetry. She’s a very intelligent and ambitious young woman, and very beautiful, too.

What would you like to do after modeling?
I want to do online university parallel to modeling, to have the basic skills for running my own business one day. Because if I‘m sure about one thing in life, it is that I don‘t want to depend on anyone.

Left: Raynara Negrine wears t-shirt by CELINE by Hedi Slimane. Right: Raynara Negrine wears t-shirt and jeans by CELINE by Hedi Slimane.

Raynara Negrine

What is your hometown like?
Cachoeiro do Itapemirim, BraziI is a small and humble town in the state of Espirito Santo.

Who are your modeling industry inspirations and why?
Aduk Akesh Bior is my icon because she is a strong, Black woman. Gisele Bundchen because she represents Brazil in the industry. Lais Ribeiro because of where she is after all she has been through.

What would you like to do after modeling?
Finish university and open my own business.

Models Metta Irebe, Raynara Negrine, Seng Khan, Emma Todt at Women; Betty Schupp at Ford; Zita Dobar, Iris Delcourt at Viva London; Karla Koncurat at Elite; Swati Eck at New Madison; Mary Duleu, Adit Priscilla at Premium; Alma C at IMG; Alice Da Luz at Supreme; Lisa Lu at Next. Dresser Jessie Motion. Hair Jacob Kajrup at Calliste Agency; Pierre Saint Sever at Art Board. Make-up Anna Sadamori at Shotview.