Whoever said modeling was a cinch hasn’t walked in 72 runway shows in less than 30 days. Take it from Julia Nobis, this season’s leader of the pack. But nine other must-have models — ranging from seasoned vets to fresh-faced newbies — were hot on her trail. Here, the top 10 girls of spring.
Julia Nobis
Walked: 72 shows
Biggest Coup: It’s a toss-up — she opened both Alexander McQueen and Dries Van Noten.
Stats: 19 years old; from Australia; repped by Ford Models.
Strong Suit: Near-androgynous features give her a tomboy edge.
Show Notes: “Somewhere in the middle of London, it all became a blur. I’m very thankful I had a car and driver because I didn’t have to think about where I was going. I’d just arrive, do what I had to do and then nap on the way to the next spot. That was my strategy.”
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Zuzanna Bijoch
Walked: 70 shows
Biggest Coup: Closing Diane von Furstenberg and Chloé.
Stats: 17 years old; from Poland; repped by Next Model Management.
Strong Suit: Porcelain skin punctuated by Cindy Crawford-esque beauty marks.
Favorite Trade: “Definitely my new YSL cosmetics. Such an amazing goodie bag!”
Josephine Skriver
Walked: 67 shows
Biggest Coup: Chanel
Stats: 18 years old; from Denmark; repped by Marilyn Model Management.
Strong Suit: She exudes softness and youth, and her pretty pout doesn’t hurt either.
Show Notes: “After the shows ended, I camped out in my bed for like a week and watched season two of ‘Bones.’”
NEXT: Daga Ziober >>
Daga Ziober
Walked: 66 shows
Biggest Coup: Closing Dries Van Noten.
Stats: 16 years old; from Poland; repped by Marilyn Model Management.
Strong Suit: A heart-shaped face framed by perky ears, she oozes Eastern European exoticism.
Show Notes: “I got through the season by thinking about what I was going to do when it was all over. It was all that I expected: sleeping in my cozy bed, eating delicious food made by my mum and watching TV. I became a couch potato for three days!”
Erjona Ala
Walked: 64 shows
Biggest Coup: Opened Haider Ackermann and closed Thakoon.
Stats: 16 years old; from Norway; repped by Ford Models.
Strong Suit: Her strong nose and jawline gives her a downtown-girl appeal.
Best trade: “The brown suede Michael Kors bag that we got at the show. I carry it around with me practically everywhere now.”
Daria Strokous
Walked: 60 shows
Biggest Coup: Opened Jil Sander.
Stats: 21 years old; from Russia; repped by Women Model Management.
Strong Suit: She’s a dead ringer for Uma Thurman.
FYI: Strokous landed a small speaking part in Steven Soderbergh’s recent film, “Contagion.”
Hanne Gaby Odiele
Walked: 59 shows
Biggest Coup: Lanvin
Stats: 24 years old; from Belgium; repped by Ford Models.
Strong Suit: Stamina! Spring 2012 marked Odiele’s 13th show season.
Favorite Trade: “These gold shoes I got from Dries Van Noten. They’re absolutely amazing!”
NEXT: Ruby Aldridge >>
Ruby Aldridge
Walked: 54 shows
Biggest Coup: Marc Jacobs
Stats: 20 years old; from California; repped by Next Model Management.
Strong Suit: Classic beauty, à la Christy Turlington.
FYI: Her sister is Victoria’s Secret model Lily Aldridge.
Kate King
Walked: 53 shows
Biggest Coup: Chanel
Stats: 17 years old; from Canada; repped by Ford Models.
Strong Suit: Long, lanky and leggy.
Favorite Trade: “Dolce & Gabbana gave out these amazing silver purses to some of the girls. They had our names engraved on them.”
NEXT: Sara Blomqvist >>
Sara Blomqvist
Walked: 51 shows
Biggest Coup: Burberry Prorsum
Stats: 22 years old; from Sweden; repped by DNA Models.
Strong Suit: Milky skin and a disarming gaze.
Show Notes: “Dries Van Noten was my favorite show but it was pretty fun to ride the carousel at Louis Vuitton.”