The best surprise celebrity catwalk cameos
Ever since catwalk shows really gained popularity in the late 1980s and early '90s, they have become synonymous with celebrity – whether that's an A-list crowd watching from the front row or a star making a surprise appearance on the runway itself.
Commercially savvy designers and creative directors have always known that celebrity sells, and in a month packed full of shows – spanning New York, London, Milan and Paris – enlisting A-list talent to create a 'moment' can really help one brand to stand out in a sea of others. Additionally, involving actors, musicians and performers can help to bring a designer's vision to life, adding an alternative storytelling opportunity and resulting in creative partnerships that live on beyond the catwalk.
It started with icons like Grace Jones appearing at Azzedine Alaïa in the Eighties, or Madonna regularly collaborating with Jean Paul Gaultier in the Nineties. Stars who have since gone on to make their own mark in the fashion world, like Victoria Beckham and Rihanna, previously first showed an interest by appearing on the runway for others. Over the past three decades, countless big names have taken part in shows all over the world, often creating moments that are still talked about today. Who could forget Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson bringing their Zoolander energy to Valentino's show in 2015, or Jennifer Lopez wearing an updated version of that Versace dress back in 2019? The recent autumn/winter 2024 season saw Kristin Scott Thomas make an appearance at Miu Miu, and Sam Smith walk for Vivienne Westwood, while Gwendoline Christie had a starring role in John Galliano's theatrical Maison Margiela couture show.
Here, we document the most memorable celebrity cameos on the catwalks over the years, from the early Eighties right up until the present day.
1986 – Grace Jones for Azzedine Alaïa
The music icon Grace Jones took to the runway of Azzedine 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 celebrity catwalk appearances of all time came courtesy of Madonna, who made this headline-grabbing appearance in Jean Paul Gaultier's charity show. The pair have collaborated numerous times throughout their careers, on everything from stagewear to red-carpet gowns and Met Gala costumes.
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 Maria Grachvogel's fashion show wearing a corseted dress.
2007 – Rihanna for Dsquared2
Similarly, over a decade before the singer launched her own clothing label in 2018, Rihanna modelled for Dsquared2 in 2007.
2015 – Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson for Valentino
Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson bought their Zoolander characters to the catwalk, in footage that was eventually used in the film's sequel, closing the Valentino show in spectacular style as Derek and Hansel.
2016 – Lady Gaga for Marc Jacobs
Global superstar Lady Gaga walked the catwalk for Marc Jacobs' autumn/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 autumn/winter 2018 show.
2019 – Jennifer Lopez for Versace
Jennifer Lopez and Versace's iconic palm print have a long history; the star originally wore the plunging dress to the 2000 Grammy Awards (a dress which resulted in the launch of Google Images due to the level of search interest). She later wore an updated version to close Versace's spring/summer 2020 show in Milan.
2020 – Miley Cyrus for Marc Jacobs
Another famous singer to walk for Marc Jacobs; Miley Cyrus made an appearance on the catwalk during New York Fashion Week in 2020.
2021 – Jodie Turner-Smith for Gucci
Jodie Turner-Smith was part of Gucci's 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 Gucci's Love Parade.
2021 – Dua Lipa for Versace
Dua Lipa – who recently made her designer debut with her very own Versace collection – walked for the Italian house's spring/summer 2022 show during Milan Fashion Week.
2022 – Serena Williams for Off-White
Tennis legend Serena Williams played a starring role in Off-White's autumn/winter show in 2022, 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
One of fashion's most viral catwalk moments of 2022 was Paris Hilton at Versace's show. She wore a shimmering pink mini-dress and a hot pink veil to match.
2022 – Jeff Goldblum for Prada
Along with some other famous faces – such as the actor Kyle MacLachlan – Jeff Goldblum walked the yellow catwalk for Prada.
2023 – Kim Kardashian for Dolce & Gabbana
Kim Kardashian curated a special collection – named Ciao Kim – for Dolce & Gabbana, inspired by her favourite archival looks between 1987 and 2007. Of course, she closed the show in a shimmering, show-stopping gown.
2023 – Lisa Rinna for Rotate
Lisa Rinna was everywhere last season, even on the catwalk too, as the star modelled for Rotate's show during Copenhagen Fashion Week.
2023 – Emma Corrin for Miu Miu
One of our favourite catwalk moments from the autumn/winter 2024 shows was Emma Corrin closing Miu Miu in some sparkly gold briefs.
2023 – Florence Pugh for 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 recited Alfred Tennyson on the SS Daley catwalk in London for autumn/winter 2023. The show was inspired by the English poet's work, The Coming of Arthur.
2023 – Chloë Sevigny for Proenza Schouler
Fashion's forever cool-girl Chloë Sevigny stepped onto the Proenza Schouler autumn/winter 2023 catwalk during New York Fashion Week, wearing one of the label's effortlessly chic designs.
2023 – Paris Hilton for Mugler
Paris Hilton walked for Mulger during Paris Fashion Week's spring/summer 2024 season. The star wore a structured black mini-dress with oversized shoulder pads and a daring thigh-leg split – a silhouette regularly associated with Mugler.
2023 – Angela Bassett for Mugler
Angela Bassett also appeared on the catwalk for Mugler's spring/summer 2024 show. The actress wore a sheer gown which billowed dramatically behind her thanks to fans placed either side of the runway.
2023 – Natalia Bryant for Versace
Natalia Bryant – daughter of the late basketball player Kobe Bryant – walked for Versace's 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 – sister of Bella and Gigi – made her catwalk debut this season at Sak Pott's Copenhagen Fashion Week show. She opened the show for its 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 had a starring role in the Maison Margiela SS24 couture show by John Galliano that practically broke the internet. The whimsical, over-the-top spectacle served to reinvigorate the fashion world's excitement to an extent that hasn't been seen for some time.
2024 – Kristin Scott Thomas for Miu Miu
The legendary actress Kristin Scott Thomas made an appearance on the Miu Miu autumn/winter 2024 catwalk, wearing an elegant grey coat.
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