Vogue Editors on Their Favorite Runway Cameos of the Year

It’s hard to shock a Vogue editor. This year, our staff attended over 1,000 runway shows around the globe. Along the way we found many models to love, from Adut Akech to Rebekah Logendyke to the always delightful Grace Elizabeth, but it was the unlikely cameos that truly delighted us.

Delighted how, you ask? Well, the year started with no less a personage than Queen Elizabeth II sitting front row at Richard Quinn in London, giving the fashion set a rareroyal sighting. Eight months later, the year came to a close with Naomi Campbell, a runway royal in her own right, stomping down Moschino’s runway in New York for its H&M collaboration. Here, 9 editors recount the runway turns they’ll remember well into 2019.

Lourdes Leon at Gypsy Sport Spring 2019

“When Lourdes Leon walked for Gypsy Sport I felt the kind of happiness one longs to experience in this business. OK, it was a super emotional, wildly inclusive, lovefest of a show on 9/11, so perhaps context played a role in my joy. But that such a sought after and publicity shy young woman would play her first runway card for Rio Uribe? That’s credibility and beauty, and everything fashion should be.” — Sally Singer, Digital Creative Director

Shalom Harlow at Versace Spring 2019

“Shalom Harlow made my heart leap when she suddenly appeared at Versace—her inimitable ballet-trained high-stepping prance just exactly as it always was when she first delighted all of us who were lucky enough to watch her in the ’90s. She was smiling. We were all smiling, cheering her on. Bring back more smiling!” Sarah Mower, Chief Critic

Matthew Schneier at Vaquera Spring 2019

“Former supermodels and celebrity offspring are everywhere, but only Vaquera had Matthew Schneier, the New York Times reporter and my former Style.com colleague. So much attitude!” — Nicole Phelps, Vogue Runway Director

The Kids at Marine Serre Spring 2019

“It was a toss up between Kristen McMenamy opening Valentino Fall 2018—one of my all time favorite favorite models—or the fantastic Indya Moore braving the rain for Telfar. But the best cameo in the end was the toddler who waved at the audience the entire time he was carried up and down the runway by his mom who modeled for Marine Serre this past September. It was the most perfect and adorable reminder of what really matters in life.” — Mark Holgate, Fashion News Director

Iekeliene Stange at Marni Spring 2019

“Among the other ‘comeback kids’ cast for Marni’s Spring 2019 show was the elusive Dutch beauty Iekeliene Stange. (Even if you manage to spell her first name correctly, you still won’t find her on Instagram.) Stange, for me, has always been like the Björk of models; there’s something otherworldly about her finely rendered look. Welcome back to Planet Fashion.” — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Archive Editor

Pharrell at Chanel Pre-Fall 2019

“Pharrell at Chanel’s Metiers d’Art show in New York was cool, but seeing my friend and J-pop superstar Akira walk in Ralph Lauren’s 50th anniversary show in Central Park proved the reach, influence, and global relevance of the all-American designer.” — Edward Barsamian, Style Editor

Tommy Cash at Rick Owens Spring 2019

“Sleaze got a runway makeover, great! I love the Estonian rapper Tommy Cash, his floss-thin mustache and straggly hair. He looks great in that black and white broken tent outfit by Rick Owens.” — Liana Satenstein, Senior Fashion News Writer

Naomi Campbell at Moschino x H&M

“Naomi Campbell at Moschino x H&M. That walk cannot be denied.” — Willow Lindley, Market Editor

Stella Tennant, Giorgina Greenville, Karen Elson, and Saskia de Brauw at Salvatore Ferragamo Spring 2019

“I always love seeing grown-up supermodels on the runway. Even if they age more beautifully and glamorously than most of us (lucky genes!), the passing of time on their perfect features feels both touching and reassuringly human: We can relate, which is always a positive, uplifting message.” — Tiziana Cardini, Vogue Contributor

Uma Thurman at Miu Miu Resort 2019

“Due to a snafu at the airport I missed Miu Miu’s Resort 2019 show in Paris, which I was trying not to be too upset about until I saw the all-star cast. Alek Wek! Adriana Lima! Naomi Campbell! Gwendoline Christie! And then after clicking through 48 looks, there she was, Uma Thurman with a big, bright smiling looking as radiant as she did when she was one of Prada’s models in the ’90s. I will never recover from the FOMO.” — Steff Yotka, Fashion News & Emerging Platforms Editor