Willow Hand - Américaine - 1m79 - 79/58/84
Agences
Oui
The Lions
Vogue Japon beauté
Avril 2016
Emma Tempest
Vogue Paris
Décembre 2015/Janvier 2016
Gregory Harris
PYT: We Chat With Prada’s New It Girl Some people get a driver's license when they turn 16, and others, like model Willow Hand, get to walk Prada in an acid green suit. “My agent scouted me when I was 12 and I’ve just been sitting around waiting to turn 16,” she said backstage at her “first show ever.” And how nice it is to have people like Miuccia standing by. The Florida native (hailing from outside Orlando) is certainly making waves in Milan by opening one of the fashion city’s biggest shows, but as to whether her friends back home in high school even know who the designer powerhouse is, Hand said innocently, “Not really!” The newbie remained calm, cool, and collected as editors and photographers snapped photos of her puffed-up ponytail and jeweled pin (some angling their lens within an inch or two of her face). “It’s what I’m here for,” she quipped, as I requested yet another shot with my iPhone. When asked what she thought of the buzzy environment, she replied: “It’s a little crazy, but I love it. I love all the excitement.” She’s also enjoyed the pasta while in town—ordering ravioli and tortellini when off duty. As for the flood of fresh faces this season, veteran pro Guido Palau (who pointed out Hand to me, introducing her as the “new Prada girl”) said, “I suppose in a way it makes something look new because you don’t have a reference to the girl.” For Fall ’15, pretty young things are ruling the scene and 16 never seemed so sweet.
Prada Campaign Star Willow Hand on Meeting Miuccia and Working With Meisel At 16 years old, most girls are readying for SATs or prepping for prom, but modeling newcomer Willow Hand has used her milestone year to make an impact on the runway. Snagging the opening spot on Prada’s Fall 2015 runway, Hand followed in the footsteps of famous faces like Sasha Pivovarova, Amanda Murphy, and Suvi Koponen, who all nabbed that coveted spot. And as Pivovarova, Murphy, and Koponen prove, a Prada endorsement—or that of the house’s casting director, Ashley Brokaw—can propel a girl toward stardom. Scouted at 12 while helping at her family’s store, Hand had done her prep work before ever setting foot on the catwalk, something she feels helped her succeed. “Marianne Tamposi, my mother agent, scouted me, and I did some testing to prepare. Then, just before I turned 16, she introduced me to The Lions and the amazing team there, and they got me ready for my first season.” In addition to launching Hand’s career, Prada also provided her with the opportunity to work with one of her heroes. As a fashion aficionado with a taste for “beautiful, classic clothes,” Hand was familiar with the Prada oeuvre, counting the label among her favorites. “When I was in front of Mrs. Prada herself, I was in awe of her,” said Hand. “Such a strong woman. A real role model. Right before the show started, when I stood there waiting to go out, I felt the same preshow jitters that you feel when doing a play, but as soon as I stepped onto the runway, all the nervousness went away and it felt amazing.” Since the Prada show, Hand has gone on to do a select set of appearances: a walk for Prada’s sister brand Miu Miu; a trip to Palm Springs for Louis Vuitton’s Resort collection; and a spot in the Steven Meisel-shot Prada Pre-Fall campaign, an experience Hand credits with teaching her a thing or two. “He taught me an awareness that I hadn’t had before that I’ll be able to always use,” Hand explained. “His attention to detail is incredible. Now I see why his pictures look so special. I was very excited to see the [Vogue Italia] editorial, and it was hard to wait for it to be published.” With an enviable lineup of current work and several projects on the horizon, Hand is enthralled by her new job and the opportunities it has provided her with. “I love to travel, I love to meet new people, and I love seeing and wearing the beautiful clothes. I also really love to perform, so I enjoy the energy of being out on the runway.” As an adventurous spirit with a love of the outdoors (hiking and paddleboarding are passions), Hand hopes to eventually spend more time involving herself in charity work, especially those involving animals. For the meantime, though, she’s focused on acclimating herself to the world of fashion, a business that has surprised her with its camaraderie. “You always see in movies and TV that the fashion industry is so cutthroat. My experience has been that everyone is so nice. I’ve made so many friends with models and other industry professionals.” style
Willow Hand Age: 16 From: Inverness, Florida Instagram: @willow.hand View Willow's portfolio here The Lions: website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Vine All Polaroids by Max Repin @ The Lions 5 words that describes you? Adventurous, friendly, determined, animal-loving, lucky. How did you enter modeling? I was scouted by my mother agent while helping out in my family's store at the mall. Then last December, she introduced me to The Lions. What other passions do you have in life or like to accomplish? I love to sing, play guitar, and act! I'm also very passionate about animal rescue. There are still so many wonderful pets being euthanized due to animal overpopulation. In a building a 1000 stories high, Which floor number would you choose to live in? 1000! I love rooftop views. Money being no object, what piece of art or an artist would you like to own? I would love to have one of Chihuly's glass sculptures. Breakfast, Lunch, or dinner? I love breakfast! Do you like to cook a meal at home, or dine out? I love to cook and bake things at home. Guilty pleasure meal? Pasta with pesto! Being in NYC, what's your must go to eating spot? My favorite places to eat in NYC are all the little restaurants in Chelsea market. If I can take you back to childhood, what would you like to experience once more? Being carefree with no responsibilities. What attributes do you find attractive in people? Kindness and a great sense of humor. Whom do you relate to more, your mom or dad? My mom, we've always been really close. Makeup or natural? I go fairly natural usually, but it's really fun to have my makeup done for shows and shoots. If you're challenged to shave your hair...! It would have to be for a really good cause! Favorite beauty product? I love to use coconut oil in my hair and on my skin. It has amazing moisturizing effects, and it makes my hair shiny, smooth, and strong. Film or Music buff? 3 Favorites films or bands. Definitely music! My 3 favorite artists are Ed Sheeran, Andy Grammer, and Bruno Mars.