There’s a lot more to modeling than just walking in circles. In Gucci’s new Cruise campaign, the director, Glen Luchford, tasked his models not just with making Alessandro Michele’s vintage-eclectic look come to life, but doing so while dancing. And dancing is not always easy. Though each model pranced through the film’s Florentine villa set with style, Allie Barrett’s smooth moves took center stage. Whether she was doing the robot in the corner, or taking on some creative choreography with fellow model Erik van Gils, Barrett provided countless GIF-worthy moments. Given the high-profile nature of the Gucci campaign, one might think Barrett put in hours of practice to get things just right, but the Boston-bred newcomer took a laid-back approach. “I didn’t prepare for dancing on camera,” says Barrett. “I’m a really bad dancer, but my robot is pretty strong! The creative team did some great work with the slo-mo.”
Discovered after submitting her photos to a local agency online and quickly getting signed to Re:Quest Model Management in New York City, Barrett has become a regular in Michele’s lineup: She made her debut for Gucci during Resort, and has been an exclusive with the house ever since, appearing alongside the boys during the designer’s menswear show and returning to Milan last week to walk ready-to-wear. For Barrett, the experience has been intense yet rewarding. “I can honestly say that Alessandro is a very genuine and brilliant person,” shares Barrett. “The Gucci team is an extremely talented group and have become somewhat of a fashion family to me.”
Shooting in Florence also gave her the chance to experience a new locale with girls she’s come to view as friends, including fellow Gucci regulars Rhiannon McConnell and Avery Blanchard. “It’s safe to say that I’ve met the funniest group of girls while working,” says Barrett. Time spent with the squad is nice, but getting to watch Luchford at work provided its own pleasures. “Shooting with Glen Luchford was like watching someone who knew exactly how to bring the clothes to the forefront of every picture.” And as an appreciator of Michele’s wares, Barrett is eager to fill her closet with a few of the pieces she’s worn on the runway. “I loved the Cruise show outfit I wore, which was a little Victorian, and the most recent outfit I wore in the Spring show, which had a very dreamy feel.” When she isn’t enjoying the latest designer fashions, the bookish beauty can be found reading, journaling, or indulging in a Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives marathon. With the beginning of Paris Fashion Week and the promise of her first non-Gucci show, Barrett is ready to show the world a few more memorable moves. “This was my first Fashion Week, and walking for Gucci was seriously nerve-racking, but nothing beats walking for an incredible designer—it’s completely exhilarating.”
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