In the fashion world, models are often seen as mere vessels or blank canvases upon which designers paint their visions. They stride down the runway, embodying the narrative of each meticulously crafted outfit, while their individuality and significance can be overshadowed by the clothes they wear. Underneath those clothes, models are not just mannequins but storytellers in their own right, silently conveying stories, emotions and aspirations with each step forward. Designers and fashion houses have started welcoming models of all shapes, sizes, and ethnicities in recent years, demonstrating a greater awareness of the value of diversity and representation on the runway. This change is a reflection of a wider understanding of how models may convey stories that connect with audiences from all walks of life. While the spotlight may be on the garments, it is the models who bring them to life by instilling personality and presence. They are the canvases through which a designer’s creative expression flows, translating fabric and thread into living, breathing art. A smirk, a stare, a smile and every other gesture and expression, is a brushstroke in itself that contributes to the big picture. Here we have Maya and Rezi sharing their experiences from Day 1 of casting to creating history at the grand finale of the runway show.

Walk us through your journey from the time you were chosen to walk the Maison Margiela SS2024 Haute Couture show. Tell us YOUR story and how you contributed to this artistic ballet.

(Maya)I think Jess Hallett had a vision of me in this show before. It was amazing because I came to the casting and Jess smiled at me, shook my hand and told me that she had wanted to meet me for a long time. It was a shock to me that she knew exactly who I was, and I had admired her career for years, including her time working with my icon Kate Moss. For several days in a row, I went for corset training and fittings, and thanks to that I had time to make friends with other models, which was very nice because usually we only spend a few hours backstage before the show together.

(Rezi)Upon my arrival in Paris in early 2023, I was chosen by the casting director at the Maison Margiela house and walked the first show for them, I was subsequently approached to work more closely with them on a day job (fittings with John Galliano directly), so I was casted directly for the haute couture show. I was incredibly happy, I love John Galliano’s work. Once I knew what outfit I was going to wear specifically, what it was supposed to express, I tried my best to empathise with his ideas and portray them as best as I could.

Can you describe your feelings, your emotions, your thoughts, the whole experience while walking down the runway? A piece of your mind about your performance “in the moment”.

(Rezi)Before I took my first step onto the runway I felt the rush of adrenaline. But the moment I took it, I suddenly felt like I was in another world. At that moment all thoughts faded away and I was part of the show, part of a specific story, part of an organism. I didn’t think about anything else but my role, my walk, my expression. After I entered the bar and felt the faces of the audience, the atmosphere changed rapidly. I tried to connect directly with them, I was there for them, I wanted to give them the feeling, the energy, everything.

(Maya)When I heard from Pat what the mood for the show was like, a bit of Moulin Rouge, a bit of a tired lady coming back from a party in the middle of the night in Paris, I was delighted because I could finally express myself more artistically and prove that I can do more than just glide down the runway. This changed when the outfit assigned to me changed, The Kees Van Dongen’s muse, a walking painting, one of three characters who only have to glide down the catwalk… Well, that’s how Galliano wants to present his vision so that’s exactly what I would do. I won’t lie that during the runway my mind wanders and plans the next day, for me it’s such a moment of adrenaline that I only focus on getting through it, where are the lights, where to stand and presenting my outfits in the best possible way. Stress is often focused on shoes, usually they are not incredibly comfortable, and the mask I wore at the show limited my visibility quite a bit, so the focus was “not to bump into Anna Wintour”. Of course, I was delighted with the fact of taking part in this show and incredibly grateful, but it was only the next day, when I saw these articles, the great hype and the entire show from start to finish online, that I realised it was a historic show and how proud I should be that I was a part of it. You don’t see much backstage. Yes, I saw beautiful clothes, but only when I sat down for these 20 minutes and saw how each model turned into a silent actress, how the clothes worked in motion and with music, then I realised on the Eurostar back to London how amazing it was.

Can you tell us about a memorable moment or a highlight from the show that left a lasting impression on you?

(Rezi)It may sound funny, but it was making eye contact directly with Anna Wintour. She is simply an icon for me and to see her sitting there right in front of me was just BIG.

(Maya)I think just being there at all was amazing. One of the highlights is not the show itself but the fitting. It was at night, I had been waiting a few days to finally meet Galliano in person, not just exchange smiles from a distance, and I saw that a few girls in front of me had to work a lot on their walking. Pat was helping them trying to make it look as good as possible, so I was afraid of what he would say about me. I took 5 steps and he said that’s it and the whole room started applauding and I smiled slightly in this beautiful atelier wearing a mask and thought: “Mom, Galliano is applauding me!” Amazing, I never thought in my life that I would reach this stage in my career to work with legends. Another unforgettable and more funny moment was probably when 30 minutes before the show a lady came up to me and started kneeling under me and sewing pubic hair to my jumpsuit, I saw that the other girls had merkin from the beginning, but I thought that my outfit was already ready, it turned out not to be the case. Maybe another highlight was thanking Galliano at the after party. I think I was a bit shocked that I was talking to him.