The spring 2023 collections were all about being an individual, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. The season celebrated the power of standing out, and to celebrate, we brought together 18 unique models, hailing from around the globe, to showcase their individuality in an array of one-of-a-kind looks. From Loewe’s Internet-breaking anthurium bloom to Valentino’s pop star-worthy jumpsuit, there’s a panoply of ensembles to be inspired by this spring. Here, the models who brought them to life weigh in on their personal style, how each look made them feel, and where they think fashion is heading next.
Mammina Aker
Top, skirt, $1,900, pumps, Loewe.
Age: 25.
Hometown: Khartoum, Sudan.
Some shows I walked this season: Saint Laurent, Valentino, Givenchy, Miu Miu, Area, and Victor Glemaud.
Spring trend I’m excited about: Transparent outfits, which are so feminine and sophisticated.
My personal style: Charismatic, bold, classic, and elegant.
Surprising fact about me: I know three to six local languages fluently.
This look made me feel: Like I can conquer the world.
Qun Ye
Belted dress, sandals, Burberry.
Age: 23.
Hometown: Zhanjiang, China.
Shows I walked this season: Etro, Paul & Joe, 16Arlington, and Poster Girl.
My personal style: Comfort and leisure.
Mariam de Vinzelle
Dress, Louis Vuitton.
Age: 24.
Hometown: Paris.
Some shows I walked this season: Chanel, Gabriela Hearst, and Ralph Lauren.
Surprising fact about me: I am passionate about hunting down the most precious gems in flea markets or Goodwill. I will look at every piece of clothing in the $1 box and try to find beauty where you least expect it.
This look made me feel: Emotional. I wouldn’t say I had tears in my eyes, but close!
Bente Oort
Dress, $9,000, sunglasses, $2,755, Gucci.
Age: 22.
Hometown: Amsterdam.
Some shows I walked this season: Raf Simons and Ann Demeulemeester.
Spring trend I’m excited about: I am not big on trends. Everyone should wear whatever they want. But I would wear every single piece of the Loewe and JW Anderson collections.
My personal style: I love contrasting what is seen as “feminine” and “masculine.” I am a tomboy at heart.
Maty Drazek
Dress, $5,300, brief, $975, Prada.
Age: 18.
Hometown: Prague, Czech Republic.
Shows I walked this season: JW Anderson and Miu Miu.
My personal style: Maximalist, but I like to dress in a really simple way. It’s complicated, like myself.
This look made me feel: Like a beautiful fairy sitting on a water lily.
Liv Walters
Dress, Hermès, $10,300.
Age: 20.
Hometown: London.
Some shows I walked this season: Courrèges, Stella McCartney, Etro, and Moschino.
My personal style: I shop mostly secondhand, as I like to focus on the quality and longevity of an item before I buy something.
Surprising fact about me: All of my crockery is handmade! I started ceramics classes and have been slowly replacing my cups and bowls with my own pieces.
This look made me feel: Like myself.
Luca Biggs
Jacket, belt, $1,375, earrings, from $850, Chanel.
Age: 21.
Hometown: London.
Recent show I walked: Chanel.
Spring trend I’m excited about: Fashion as a whole. As I get to know more about the industry and everyone involved, a particular trend might not be something I’ve ever leaned toward. But seeing it all come together within the creative process makes me see it in a whole new way. It makes you appreciate everything that goes into forming an idea that becomes a trend.
My personal style: Casual and comfortable.
Imán Kaumann Madelaire
Jacket, $2,295, tank, $595, skirt, $3,295, Brandon Maxwell. Earrings, Marie-Hélène de Taillac, $1,950.
Age: 22.
Hometown: Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Shows I walked this season: Khaite, Jonathan Simkhai, Ashlyn, KNWLS, N21, Andrea Adamo, Versace, Sportmax, MSGM, Balmain, Dries Van Noten, Off-White, and Louis Vuitton.
Spring trend I’m excited about: Capuches and crazy accessories.
My personal style: Punky fairy.
Surprising fact about me: I’m a musician and am working on an album.
This look made me feel: Like a modern mermaid.
Merlijne Schorren
Dress, earrings, Bottega Veneta.
Age: 21.
Hometown: Groningen, Netherlands.
Show I walked this season: Chanel.
Spring trend I’m excited about: Brands with a creative edge. An example of this is, of course, Coperni with the Bella Hadid dress.
My personal style: Colorful.
This look made me feel: Powerful.
Dohyun Kim
Jacket, $7,800, dress, $2,490, pants, $1,350, platforms, Fendi.
Age: 23.
Hometown: Seoul, South Korea.
Some shows I walked this season: Harris Reed, Puppets and Puppets, Halpern, and Ottolinger.
Spring trend I’m excited about: Cargo pants.
My personal style: Versatile.
Surprising fact about me: I taught skiing in high school.
This look made me feel: Androgynous, which is how I really love to dress myself.
Karolina Spakowski
Dress, $5,545, bra, $365, panty, $275, gloves, $465, Dolce & Gabbana.
Age: 20.
Hometown: Braunschweig, Germany.
Shows I walked this season: Valentino and Alexander McQueen.
Spring trend I’m excited about: Anything with sequins or glitter.
Surprising fact about me: I did rhythmic gymnastics for 15 years.
My personal style: Basic. All black, but in a cool, feminine way.
Ruth Ivie
Jumpsuit, Valentino. Pumps, Valentino Garavani, $2,100. Earrings, Marie-Hélène de Taillac, $1,950.
Age: 19.
Hometown: Utrecht, Netherlands.
Shows I walked this season: Akris and Vaillant.
Spring trend I’m excited about: The monochrome look.
My personal style: Comfy and still changing every day.
Surprising fact about me: When I was younger, I never used to wear my hair down. Now I always have to have my curls out.
This look made me feel: Like a glamorous superstar ready to go onstage.
- BEAUTY TIP: Prep skin for anything (including bedazzled jumpsuits) with a cleansing-yet-moisturizing body wash, like Olay Fresh Outlast.
Tina Diedhiou
Shirt, $2,300, pants, $2,150, belt, $575, Miu Miu.
Age: 27.
Hometown: Ziguinchor, Senegal.
Some shows I walked this season: Gabriela Hearst and Dior.
My personal style: I love to mix basic items with vintage. My husband’s grandmother used to be a dressmaker and has gifted me amazing pieces.
Surprising fact about me: How drastically my life has changed. Only three years ago I was sharing a futon on the floor with four other people. Now I’m traveling the world, meeting incredible people, and, most importantly, being a mom to the sweetest little boy.
Ayla Murray
Dress, necklace, Dior.
Age: 18.
Hometown: Croydon, UK.
Show I walked this season: Valentino.
Spring trend I’m excited about: Recycled denim.
My personal style: Fluid. You can find me in a tracksuit with red lipstick one day, and the next day I’ll be in a blazer, corduroys, and boots.
Surprising fact about me: I am really involved with music in multiple aspects—singing, dancing, and deejaying.
This look made me feel: Like the Red Queen from the Alice in Wonderland books.
Yoni Tjin-A-Koeng
Bodysuit, $590, trousers, $1,095, belt, $390, Michael Kors Collection.
Age: 22.
Hometown: Groningen, Netherlands.
Show I walked this season: Loewe. It was my very first show ever, a dream debut that I am very grateful for.
Spring trend I’m excited about: The simple yet sleek tailored look.
My personal style: Confident tomboy.
Surprising fact about me: I play the guitar, ukulele, bass, drums, and piano, and I am learning the saxophone.
This look made me feel: Powerful.
Perrine “Dolly” Graff
Dress, Balenciaga, $3,250.
Age: 19.
Hometown: Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Show I walked this season: Valentino.
Spring trend I’m excited about: Transparency chic.
My personal style: I love the style of the ’90s and 2000s. I mix the trends of those times with those of today.
This look made me feel: Confident. It reminded me that I was really starting to live my dream! There is no better feeling.
Megan Miles
Coat, $6,490, top, $890, trousers, $1,890, belt, $795, earrings, $1,390, sunglasses, $685, cuff, $1,090, Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello.
Age: 25.
Hometown: Charleston, South Carolina.
Show I walked this season: Saint Laurent.
My personal style: Laid-back and chill.
Surprising fact about me: I used to be a dog groomer.
This look made me feel: Beautiful.
Taira Go
Cape, $6,650, trousers, $2,395, Giorgio Armani.
Age: 27.
Hometown: Hokkaido, Japan.
Shows I walked this season: Prada and Balenciaga.
Spring trend I’m excited about: I feel that many designers went out of the box this season, which was really exciting and inspiring. I find it very powerful that fashion is able to deliver strong messages as a universal language.
My personal style: Comfy chic.
This look made me feel: Lucid.
Hair by Stéphane Lancien for L’oréal Paris; Makeup by Tom Pecheux for Yves Saint Laurent Beauté; Manicure by Christina Conrad for Kure Bazaar; Casting by Barbara Nicoli Leila Ananna; Models: Merlijne Schorren, Bente Oort, Liv Walters, and Mariam De Vinzelle at DNA; Maty Drazek at Focus; Dohyun Kim at IMG; Luca Biggs at Women; Tina Diedhiou and Iman Kaumann Madelaire, both at Women Direct; Mammina Aker at Select; Yoni Tjin-A-Koeng at A Models Amsterdam; Megan Miles and Ruth Ivie, both at OUI; Taira Go at Ford; Qun Ye at Next; Perrine “Dolly” Graff at Unit; Ayla Murray at Viva; and Karolina Spakowski at Kult; Produced by Louis2 Paris
This article appears in the February 2023 issue of ELLE.
Juliana Ukiomogbe is the Assistant Editor at ELLE. Her work has previously appeared in Interview, i-D, Teen Vogue, Nylon, and more.