Gone are the days when models had to dress like a blank canvas for their various go-sees. This new crop of models are embracing their personal style and expressing their individuality through their fashion choices—be it with jeans and a tee, or a statement dress. Every month, Vogue is diving into the stylish wardrobe of a buzzy model of the moment, to see what they wear to their casting calls. This isn’t any old clothing haul!
After moving to New York and signing with Next Management worldwide earlier this year, South Sudanese–Canadian Model Nyawurh Chuol wasted no time joining the world of campaigns and high-fashion runways. This past fashion month, you may have caught a glimpse of her walking Carolina Herrera, Etro, and Alberta Ferretti. She has also starred in campaigns for Zara, United Colors of Benetton, and Schiaparelli.
Most notably, Chuol went viral back in September after she stormed the runway at Moschino’s spring 2024 presentation: The model went viral for her incredible 1990s-style strut, filled with personality, twirling, and a heavy dose of camp. “Right after the show, I remember going on TikTok, and I was being tagged in videos after videos,” says Chuol. “I was surprised! The comments were flooded with love and appreciation for bringing back the ’90s walk; People were so excited and happy that we are slowly bringing back personality and energy onto the runway. It was a dream to walk just like how the ’90s models used to walk years ago!”
Below, the model discusses how she was discovered, her favorite job assignment to date, and what’s in her closet.
Vogue: What was your discovery story?
Nyawurh Chuol: I was discovered when I was 14 years old on Instagram. For the past four years before I signed with my agency, I thought it was a scam, because I got so many messages regarding being signed and I couldn’t believe it. So after four years of them trying to sign me, in 2020, I finally decided to sign with Next Management. I did some work here and there while juggling my McDonald’s job. But after I was officially fired, I decided to take my modeling career full time. In March of 2023, I finally came to New York City [from Ontario, Canada] and signed worldwide, and the rest is history.