by Since the popularity of catwalk shows in the late 1980s and early 90s, they have become synonymous with celebrity – whether it’s the A-list crowd watching from the front row or a star making a surprise appearance on the own runway.
Commercially savvy designers and creative directors have always known that celebrity sells, and in a month full of shows – across New York, London, Milan and Paris – A-list talent can be enlisted to create a ‘moment’ to help one brand stand out. out in a sea of other people. In addition, the involvement of actors, musicians and performers can help bring the designer’s vision to life, adding to other storytelling opportunities and resulting in creative partnerships that last beyond the pavement.
It started with icons like Grace Jones seen by Azedine Alaïa in the eighties, or Madonna collaborating regularly with Jean Paul Gaultier in the nineties. Stars who have since gone on to make their own mark in the fashion world, such as Victoria Beckham and Rihanna, first showed interest by walking the runway for others. Over the past thirty years, a large number of big names have taken part in shows around the world, often creating moments that are still talked about today. Who could forget Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson bringing their Zoolander energy to the Valentino show in 2015, or Jennifer Lopez wearing an updated version of that Versace dress back in 2019? In the recent autumn/winter 2024 season Kristin Scott Thomas appeared at Miu Miu, Sam Smith walked for Vivienne Westwood, and Gwendoline Christie played a central role in John Galliano’s Maison Margiela couture theatrical show.
Here, we document the most memorable celebrity cameos on the catwalks over the years, from the eighties to the present day.
1986 – Grace Jones for Azedine Alaïa
Music icon Grace Jones took to the runway at Azedine Alaïa’s spring/summer 1986 haute couture show, wearing one of the late designer’s signature pieces: the hooded dress.
1993 – Madonna for Jean Paul Gaultier
One of the most famous catwalk appearances of all time was courtesy of Madonna, who made this breakthrough in a Jean Paul Gaultier charity show. The two have collaborated numerous times throughout their careers, on everything from stage costumes to red carpet gowns and Met Gala outfits.
1994 – Sharon Stone for Valentino
The early nineties fashion scene was full of celebrity cameos on the runways, with Sharon Stone walking for Valentino’s Prêt-à-Porter collection in 1994.
2000 – Victoria Beckham for Maria Grachvogel
During London Fashion Week – years before she started her own label – Victoria Beckham walked the runway for the Maria Grachvogel fashion show wearing a corset dress.
2007 – Rihanna for Dsquared2
Likewise, more than a decade before the singer launched her own clothing label in 2018, Rihanna modeled for Dsquared2 in 2007.
2015 – Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson for Valentino
Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson shopped their Zoolander characters for the catwalk, in pieces that were eventually used in the film’s sequel, closing the Valentino show in great style as Derek and Hansel.
2016 – Lady Gaga for Marc Jacobs
Global superstar Lady Gaga walked the catwalk for the Marc Jacobs fall/winter 2016 show during New York Fashion Week.
2018 – Elle Fanning for Miu Miu
Elle Fanning made her runway debut by opening and closing Miu Miu’s fall/winter 2018 show.
2019 – Jennifer Lopez for Versace
Jennifer Lopez and Versace’s iconic palm has a long history; the star first wore the plunging gown to the 2000 Grammy Awards (a dress that led to the launch of Google Images due to the level of search interest). She later wore an updated version to close the Versace spring/summer 2020 show in Milan.
2020 – Miley Cyrus for Marc Jacobs
Another famous singer to walk for Marc Jacobs; Miley Cyrus appeared on the catwalk during New York Fashion Week in 2020.
2021 – Jodie Turner-Smith for Gucci
Jodie Turner-Smith was part of the Gucci Love Parade, which took place in Los Angeles on the iconic Hollywood Boulevard.
2021 – Macaulay Culkin for Gucci
Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin also walked the runway for the Gucci Love Parade.
2021 – Dua Lipa for Versace
Dua Lipa – who recently made her designer debut with her own Versace collection – walked for the Italian house’s spring/summer 2022 show during Milan Fashion Week.
2022 – Serena Williams for Out of the White
Tennis legend Serena Williams played a central role in Off-White’s autumn/winter 2022 show, the final show from the late designer Virgil Abloh.
2022 – Lourdes Leon for Marine Serre
Madonna’s daughter Lourdes Leon walked for Marine Serre, wearing one of the designer’s signature printed pieces.
2022 – Paris Hilton for Versace
Paris Hilton at the Versace show was one of the most viral catwalk moments of 2022. She wore a sparkly pink mini dress and matching hot pink suit.
2022 – Jeff Goldblum for Prada
Along with several other famous faces – such as the actor Kyle MacLachlan – Jeff Goldblum walked the yellow path for Prada.
2023 – Kim Kardashian for Dolce & Gabbana
Kim Kardashian curated a special collection – called Ciao Kim – for Dolce & Gabbana, inspired by her favorite archive looks between 1987 and 2007. Of course, she closed the show in a shimmering, off-the-shoulder dress.
2023 – Lisa Rinna for Rotary
Lisa Rinna was everywhere last season, even on the catwalk too, as the star modeled for the Rotary show during Copenhagen Fashion Week.
2023 – Emma Corrin for Miu Miu
One of our favorite catwalk moments from the autumn/winter 2024 shows was Emma Corrin shutting down Miu Miu in some sparkling gold clips.
2023 – Florence Pugh to Harris Reed
Florence Pugh opened Harris Reed’s London Fashion Week show wearing one of the designer’s theatrical creations, while reciting a dramatic monologue.
2023 – Ian McKellen for SS Daley
Ian McKellen impersonated Alfred Tennyson on the SS Daley catwalk in London for autumn/winter 2023. The show was inspired by the work of the English poet, The Coming of Arthur.
2023 – Chloë Sevigny for Proenza Schouler
The very cool girl of fashion, Chloë Sevigny, walked the Proenza Schouler fall/winter 2023 runway during New York Fashion Week, wearing one of the label’s chic designs.
2023 – Paris Hilton for Mugler
Paris Hilton walked for Mulger during the spring/summer 2024 season of Paris Fashion Week. The star wore a structured black mini dress with oversized shoulder pads and a daring split between the legs – a silhouette regularly associated with Mugler.
2023 – Angela Bassett for Mugler
Angela Bassett was also on the scene for Mugler’s spring/summer 2024 show. The actress wore a sheer dress that went all the way behind her thanks to fans lined up on either side of the runway.
2023 – Natalia Bryant for Versace
Natalia Bryant – daughter of the late basketball player Kobe Bryant – walked the Versace SS24 show. She was dressed in a stylish black dress and metallic ballet flats for her first ever catwalk experience.
2023 – Alana Hadid for Saks Potts
Alana Hadid – Bella and Gigi’s sister – made her catwalk debut this season at Sak Pott’s Copenhagen Fashion Week show. She opened the show for her spring/summer 2024 collection wearing a blue sequinned skirt layered over jeans and a cropped leather blazer.
2024 – Gwendoline Christie for Maison Margiela
Gwendoline Christie played a central role in John Galliano’s Maison Margiela SS24 couture show that practically broke the internet. The glittering spectacle has added to the excitement of renewing the world of fashion to a degree not seen in recent times.
2024 – Kristin Scott Thomas for Miu Miu
Legendary actress Kristin Scott Thomas made an appearance on the Miu Miu autumn/winter 2024 catwalk, wearing an elegant gray coat.
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