Whatever that magical marker point is that means a model has graduated from up-and-coming to hottest big thing, this 18-year-old has just flown past it at a lightening speed. Eighteen-year-old Alana Arrington was undoubtedly the biggest ‘no-name’ star of the Spring 2017 catwalks.

The Iowa-born teenager with signature shaggy hair was in fact one of the busiest jobbing models during the recent run of New York – London – Milan – Paris Fashion Weeks, having walked in dozens over the four weeks, including all the biggies like Tom Ford, Chanel, Alberta Ferretti, Yeezy, Barbara Bui and Altuzarra.

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Alana Arrington for Lucy Folk 
Credit: Mason Poole 

Several designers – Zac Posen and Rebecca Minkoff being just two – even tapped her as their Spring 2017 runway show’s star opening model, a high praise usually reserved for household names in the business.

Not too shabby considering it was only her second fashion week season. In the modelling biz, that still makes the Cedar Rapids native a relative newbie. Louis Vuitton and Chanel have already claimed her as a new official face of their brands.

All of that just makes the fact Australian jewellery and accessory designer Lucy Folk – who opens her flagship store in Bondi Beach next month – managed to secure Arrington for her latest campaign all the more of a ‘hands up’ win.

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Alana Arrington for Lucy Folk 
Credit: Mason Poole

Shot by Mason Poole – the man behind all of Beyonce’s tour photography – at the Joshua Tree in California, and styled by Folk herself, the pics are as edgy and sharp as the model herself.

“Alana is a free spirit and her strong attitude in images as well as her beautiful locks drew me in.”

Folk continues, “I don’t stick to any sort of formula and it’s nice to work with talent that fits the brand / collection no matter where they are from.” So where does one go after having industry darling Arrington as an ambassador? “I’d love to see Iris Apfel in a pair of my Round the World sunglasses – in Stalactite,” she says. 

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Lucy Folk, Round the World sunglasses in Stalactite, $385. SHOP NOW

The collection, which will be available on the brand’s website next week, with Folk’s favourite piece being a new Desert Hues version of her almost trademark Ear Jacket pictured below with the matching Ear Stud.

“[It] is made up of Malachite, Citrine, Lapis and Agate tile that forms a picture of a Desert Scene. It was handmade for the King of Jordan in the ‘80s. It’s very unique and combined with our Pulling Shapes Stud Earring that is scattered with gems in glistening gold it works a treat.”

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These Desert Hues Ear Jackets, shown here with Pulling Shapes Ear Studs, are Folk’s favourite pieces in the new collection
Credit: courtesy Lucy Folk