Who will walk the runway during New York Fashion Week and win $20,000? You decide.
Juliette Hill
Must finish first in their group to advance to the Semifinals.
Voting for this round ends on August 28, 2026 at 10:00 PM EDT
About Juliette Hill
Business Marketing graduate with a passion for fashion, graphic design, and music. I love using my creativity to tell stories through style, design, and visual identity, while creating work that reflects my self-expression.
Learn More About Juliette Hill
What makes you the Next Runway Star?
I’ve never had the opportunity to step onto a runway because I don’t fit the traditional model mold, and that’s part of why this would mean so much to me. It would be a personal milestone in building my confidence, embracing body positivity, and showing that looking fashionable isn’t defined by a specific body type. Since graduating, I’ve been planning to study fashion as I continue my creative journey. I believe fashion is a versatile form of self-expression and art. I would love the opportunity to meet a designer, learn from them, and see their creative vision come to life. Walking at NYFW wouldn’t just fulfill my runway dreams, it would help me reach my goals. Seeing the craftsmanship, creative pieces, and styling firsthand would inspire me as I pursue a career in fashion. I hope this experience becomes the beginning of my journey, not just a single moment. I’d walk that runway with gratitude, confidence, and excitement for what comes next.
What would this once in a lifetime experience mean to you and why?
Walking at New York Fashion Week would be so much more than living out my dream, it would be the beginning of a new chapter. I’ve always been drawn to fashion, not only as a way to express myself but as an art form. This opportunity would give me the confidence to model while opening doors to the industry I’ve always dreamed being part of. My long-term goal is to build a career in fashion and start my own brand someday. In the meantime, I want to study fashion design, branding, and creative direction while continuing to develop my own creative projects. Being part of New York Fashion Week would allow me to gain experience from designers, stylists, photographers, and other creatives while building relationships that could help launch my career. Sometimes all someone needs is one opportunity to prove they are worth investing in, and I believe this could be mine.
What are you most proud of about yourself or what have you overcome and why?
During college, I went through several traumatic experiences and struggled with long COVID symptoms, both changed my health drastically. I developed fibromyalgia and daily migraines, leading to having to take a semester off because the chronic pain was too severe to deal with. I eventually convinced myself I could handle taking classes and learn to live with the pain, but the constant stress led to severe stomach issues and a mental breakdown, which led to taking another leave of absence. Rebuilding my physical and mental health is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Recovery was learning how to keep moving forward, despite the chronic pain and mental health struggles. I’m proud of myself for persevering and getting my degree; my diploma now represents resilience. My journey taught me to keep believing things will work out, even when the path looks completely different than you imagined. My story reminds me that setbacks don’t define you.
What would you do with the $20,000 cash prize?
Winning this prize would give me the opportunity to build an independent life, while pursuing my creative career. I moved back home to save money, but the lack of independence has been challenging on my mental health and my relationship with my parents. I have been struggling trying to find a job and it’s frustrating not having enough savings to afford a place. I would use the money responsibly by adding it to my savings while using part of it to move to Los Angeles, where I hope to continue my education through classes at Otis College of Art and Design and Los Angeles Trade-Technical College. My long-term goal is to combine my creative skills to land a job and build a creative career. This wouldn’t just be financial support—it would give me the opportunity to invest in my education, develop my skills, and build the life I’ve been working so hard to create. It would turn goals that currently feel out of reach into opportunities I can finally pursue.
Content from Juliette Hill
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