A surprise appearance on the runway is always a treat, and viewers were in for a few at the Miu Miu show. Not did Mia Goth, Emma Corrin and Amelia Gray Hamlin take to the runway, but so did Zaya Wade, marking her very first catwalk appearance during Paris Fashion Week. The 15-year-old daughter of basketball legend Dwyane Wade and step-daughter of actress Gabrielle Union, made her debut on Tuesday at the Italian fashion house’s Fall/Winter 2023 presentation.
Wade modeled a heavy-knit olive green crewneck sweater over a white undershirt with a matching miniskirt and a coordinating knit jacket. The bourgeoning model carried a set of keys and a brown leather bag under her arm while walking in a pair of caramel-colored patent leather slingback pumps.
Her family emotionally cheered her on from the front row. Both proud parents wore sleek, all-black ensemble and matching sunglasses. While Dwyane dressed in a Prada ensemble featuring black trousers and a white button-up with a black tie under a black leather jacket, Gabrielle complemented her husband’s look by wearing a black collared zip-up Miu Miu dress and a black handbag.
Zaya commemorated the milestone with an Instagram carousel, simply captioning it, “debut @miumiu.” The slideshow featured pictures and footage of her walk down the runway, as well as backstage snapshots, a selfie with the legendary makeup mogul Pat McGrath and a sweet video of the young star embracing her proud dad after the show. Dwyane commented on the post, “To witness your grace is something @zayawade I am Proud of you❤️.”
Her father posted a compilation video to his feed, showing the happy parents grinning from ear-to-ear, recording Zaya’s appearance and rallying around her after the show. “She’s arrived @miumiu,” he captioned the post. Dwyane took to his Instagram Stories as well, documenting the occasion. “I’m not crying, you are,” he wrote on one of the clips.
Dwyane and Gabrielle have been staunch supporters of Zaya through her transition. The teen came out as transgender in 2020 and was granted a legal name and gender change just last month. In February, a Los Angeles County judge signed off on the petition filed last summer. Her legal name is now Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade.
Later in the evening, Zaya celebrated with Miu Miu at a dinner and afterparty held at Gigi Restaurant in Paris alongside the likes of Ziwe, Nicola Peltz Beckham, Poppy Delevingne, Venus Williams and more.
The rising star opted for a charcoal gray suit set from the brand, featuring a distressed crop top, matching mini skirt, and an oversized, double-breasted blazer jacket. Zaya teamed her ensemble with black leather loafers, chic black sunglasses and carried a white quilted leather Miu Miu handbag.
