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When it comes to runway casting, it’s hard to compete with Prada. Few shows are as selective or as influential, and each season, Miuccia Prada and casting director Ashley Brokaw put together a lineup filled with surprises. From the return of familiar stars to the inevitable debuts of new faces, Prada’s casts represent what’s happening right now. Here, a look at the five key model moments from today’s show.
Girl No. 1Becoming a favorite of Miuccia Prada and her team can make a model’s career, so earning the opening spot is a big deal. Russian newcomer Kris Grikaite made her debut during the brand’s Spring 2017 show back in September, and has been a Prada regular ever since. Landing in the Willy Vanderperre–helmed campaigns, walking with the boys during menswear, and returning to open the show today, Grikaite is the latest beauty to represent Prada from all angles.
Who’s That Girl?The most discussed part of any Prada cast are the appealing debuts that happen each season. For new faces, few platforms offer as splashy an entry into the world of modeling. This season, the beginners selected by casting director Ashley Brokaw were especially appealing, with six newbies making the cut. Among the standouts were pouty beauty Melissa Anderson, classically pretty blonde Felice Noordhoff, ethereal Latvian Sija Jure, and edgy Argentinian Manuela Miloqui.
A Runway Stalwart’s First TimeYou don’t have to be a complete newcomer to make it to Prada for the first time. French model Suzie Bird has been working steadily since 2008, and today marks her debut appearance for the brand. With her elegant good looks, Bird cut a striking figure on the runway, and odds are this won’t be her last strut for Prada.
Return of the MusesFreja Beha Erichsen does only a handful of shows each year and hasn’t been on the Prada runway since Spring 2011, so her return today was a welcome surprise. But she wasn’t the only familiar face to make an appearance: Joining Erichsen on the catwalk were former campaign stars Cameron Russell, Saskia de Brauw, Anna Ewers, and Giedre Dukauskaite.
Rainbow CoalitionDiversity matters at every show, and Prada’s commitment to an international vision of beauty has become one of the house’s strengths in recent years. From Lineisy Montero walking her eighth show for the brand to Aussie Jess P.W. landing her fourth, the cast was appealingly international. All-American beauty Selena Forrest, fresh faces Chu Wong and Nandy Nicodeme, refined beauties like Cong He, and Aira Ferreira all represent the modern Prada woman. By the time freckle-faced sprite Sara Grace Wallerstedt closed the show, the audience had been given an appealing overview of all the incarnations of Prada’s girl.
