This story originally appeared in i-D’s Utopia in Dystopia Issue, no. 362, Spring 2021. Order your copy here.
Maty Fall, 19, Italy
Describe yourself in four words…
Trustworthy, caring, good listener.
What was your professional highlight of 2020?
There were a lot! I did a Vogue cover, Dior, Prada and Chanel campaigns, and the amazing shows that I was able to walk.
And your personal one?
Probably learning how to go on a skateboard.
Favourite song of the year?
“Make Luv” by Brent Faiyaz.
What’s the strangest dream you had in 2020?
I saw an orange cat in my dream and it felt so real that I got scared.
What are you the most excited about doing when life returns to normal? Going out with my friends and living without restrictions. Just to be able to go out without a mask or hug people without any risk.
Reece Nelson, 18, London
Describe yourself in four words…
Encouraging, tranquil, ambitious and understanding.
What was your professional highlight of 2020?
Shooting my first ever cover.
And your personal one?
Being able to celebrate my uncle’s wedding in these crazy times.
Favourite song of the year?
“Only Jah Know” by Popcaan.
What’s the strangest dream you had in 2020?
I was on this mission and Joan Smalls was in it. What’s funny is that, the day before the dream, we were both in the same runway show.
What are you most excited about doing when life returns to normal?
I want to travel, and I’m excited to get back into the modelling world, properly.
Quinn Mora, 20, New York City
Describe yourself in four words…
Friendly, ambitious, honest, hopeful.
What was your professional highlight of 2020?
When I found out I was confirmed for Bottega Veneta as an exclusive.
And your personal one?
Moving into my first New York apartment.
What’s the best piece of advice you got in 2020?
Hard things are hard.
What’s the strangest dream you had in 2020?
I had a dream that I had an octopus as a house pet.
What’s the first thing you’re going to do next year when you get the vaccine?
I’m looking forward to being able to hug my family and friends.
Who would you most like to see on an i-D cover in 2021?
AOC.
Eliza Rutson, 19, London
Describe yourself in four words…
Honest, happy, (a tiny bit) stubborn, independent.
What was your professional highlight of 2020?
Walking the Chanel SS21 show and being the first model from Hong Kong to do so.
And your personal one?
I think my personal highlight is getting into the only college I applied to, and being able to immerse myself in creativity with art.
What’s the best piece of advice you got in 2020?
“Why do you care so much? Go do your thing!”
What’s the strangest dream you had in 2020?
Everyone I knew turned into paper cut outs. Like those paper dolls but of people I knew, and they were popping out of their moulds and slowly fluttering down to go about their day.
What’s the first thing you’re going to do next year when you get the vaccine?
The first thing I would probably do is go to a museum because they’ve all been shut during lockdown. There’s nothing like seeing a painting or sculpture in person – you can’t appreciate the details online or from a photo, or understand the scale or impact the work may have on you.
What are you the most excited about doing when life returns to normal? Being able to visit my parents.
Who would you most like to see on an i-D cover in 2021?
I would like to see cool artists who have an inspiring backstory to their work, such as Valie Export, Jennifer Packer, or Liza Lou.
Fin Williams, 17, Newbury
Describe yourself in four words…
Athletic, talkative, enthusiastic, confident.
What’s your professional highlight of 2020?
The shoot I did for Vogue Hommes.
What’s your personal highlight of 2020?
Managing to go snowboarding in February.
Favourite song of the year?
“Veteran” by Bou & Trigga.
What’s the first thing you’re going to do next year when you get the vaccine?
One of the things I’m most excited for is to go to music festivals such as NASS and Wireless.
What are you most excited about doing when life returns to normal? Playing rugby again. Something I’ve really missed a lot.
Who would you most like to see on an i-D cover in 2021?
I would love to see new faces to the modelling world make the cover, as I think it would be a refreshing thing to do.
Mika Schneider, 19, Paris
Describe yourself in four words…
Indecisive, productive, altruistic, tall.
What was your professional highlight of 2020?
My first Vogue Japan cover.
And your personal one?
When my family returned to France this summer.
What’s the best piece of advice you got in 2020?
Do not worry about something you can’t change.
Favourite song of the year?
It Might Be Time by Tame Impala.
What’s the strangest dream you had in 2020?
I’m the master of strange dreams and definitely had a couple this year. One of the recent ones was my mom asking me to get a deodorant from a happy meal and being told by the McDonald’s employee that the person asking me for it was very weird, and that I needed to get away from that person. Then I went to a techno party, then a demon jumped from house to house to burn them before it attacked mine.
What are you the most excited about doing when life returns to normal?
I can’t wait to go back to a life where we don’t wear masks anymore. I want to see entire faces.
Who would you most like to see on an i-D cover in 2021?
Someone in the industry who’s fighting against climate change.
Vilma Sjöberg, 19, Stockholm
Describe yourself in four words…
Creative, driven, curious and passionate.
What was your professional highlight of 2020?
Too many to choose from. I’ve had so many amazing moments this year!
And your personal one?
Spending summer in Stockholm with my family and friends.
What’s the best piece of advice you got in 2020? It’s OK to slow down. I love working so much, and 2020 really taught me the importance of giving myself a break.
Favourite song of the year?
According to Spotify, my go-to song in 2020 was “She Wants My Money” by Dominic Fike.
What’s the first thing you’re going to do next year when you get the vaccine?
Meet my grandma! We haven’t seen each other in a long time and I miss her a lot.
What are you most excited about doing when life returns to normal? Being able to travel and go out without restrictions. I can’t wait!
Who would you most like to see on an i-D cover in 2021?
I don’t know who exactly, but something optimistic and happy would be nice! I think we all could use that.
Loli Bahia, 18, France
Describe yourself in four words or less…
Independent, generous, sociable.
What was your professional highlight of 2020?
In 2020, I really discovered and learned how to be a model. Especially during the last Fashion Week in September.
And your personal one?
2020 has been a tough year for everyone. I focused on taking care of myself and my loved ones.
What’s the best piece of advice you got in 2020?
Stay true to yourself.
Favourite song of the year?
“What’s The Use?” by Mac Miller.
What’s the strangest dream you had in 2020?
Seeing all my family and friends abandon me to live on another planet.
What are you most excited about doing when life returns to normal? Forgetting restrictions, being free to live my life. Going out where I want, when I want.
Who would you most like to see on an i-D cover in 2021?
Me! For sure.
Credits
Photography Alasdair McLellan
Fashion director Carlos Nazario
Hair Anthony Turner at Streeters.
Make-up Lucy Bridge at Streeters using Les Fleurs de CHANEL and CHANEL Le Lift Lotion.
Nail technician Pebbles Aikens at The Wall Group using Oribe.
Photography assistance Lex Kembery and Simon Mackinlay.
Styling assistance Raymond Gee, Cari Pacheco, Melina Frangos and Chloe Pearson.
Tailor Carson Darling Blair.
Hair assistance Claire Grech and Simon Khan.
Make-up assistance Kyle Woodmass and Petr Fridrich.
Nail assistance Stacey Bushay.
Production Ragi Dholakia Productions.
Casting director Samuel Ellis Scheinman for DMCASTING.
Models Eliza Rutson at Elite. Finley Williams at Menace. Loli Bahia at Women. Maty Fall and Reece Nelson at IMG. Mika Schneider at The Society. Quinn Mora at Premier. Vilma Sjöberg at Next.