A Record Number of Trans and Nonbinary Models Debut at Prada

Prada sets trends the way Serena Williams sets records—with effort, of course, but also a divine strength last seen at Delphi. And it's not just the clothes—the newness also extends to Prada's models, who become avatars of The New Cool with help from hair maestro Guido Palau and makeup royal Pat McGrath, and who often launch their careers in the process. Past models who made their debut on the Prada runway include supes like Karolina Kurkova, Sasha Pivovarova, and Gemma Ward, along with current style idols like Lineisy Monteiro and Anok Yai. (Even Behati Prinsloo started her career with a Prada push in 2006.)

The brand took their newbie obsession even further when Simons joined the brand as co-creative directors in 2020, and he and Mrs. Prada cast their entire debut Spring 2021 show with runway first-timers. (The pendulum swung back in 2022, with OG legends like Liya Kebede and Erin O'Conn0r swishing past social media goddesses Kaia Gerber and Kendall Jenner, not to mention a stealth Jeff Goldblum appearance at the men's show this past January.) Which brings us to now—Fall 2022 IRL, Sprung 2023 in Fashionland—and gives us a Prada catwalk locked and loaded for the revolution. Here's a primer on Prada's most recent runway debuts, including multiple trans women and nonbinary models. Learn their names and power stares now, and get ready to see lots (and lots and lots) more of them in your Insta feed this season.