Louis Vuitton’s runways are known for their high yield of exciting new modeling talent, but this season one girl stood out from the pack. With an undercut and jet black bob, Hannah Elyse’s look provided an alluring addition to Nicolas Ghesquière’s lineup of atypical models like Fernanda Ly and Pooja Mor. And those Uma-Thurman-in-Pulp-Fiction comparisons aren’t far off base. “I felt uncomfortable being a pretty blonde,” says the model, who first dyed her locks at the age of 13. “I originally wanted to shave it all. I am deeply in love with the films Léon: The Professional and Pulp Fiction, so I did both.”
And the switch to a darker hue proved completely in line with Elyse’s personal style, a melding of the cute and the sinister that leans on hard-core metal and ’90s films. Citing the Australian brand Daisy as a personal favorite, Elyse favors ensembles that showcase her playful side. “I adore fashion that is doll-inspired,” says Elyse, “usually with a choker and platform boots. But if I’m dressing casually, I usually just wear a band shirt or a polo with jeans and Nike trainers.” When slightly fancier footwear is on offer, though, that’s another story: “I love the shoes I wore for the Louis Vuitton show,” she says. And she’s no stranger to this idea of entertaining opposite ideals. Though Elyse is not a fan of pop music—metal bands like Cursed Earth are more her speed—her love of sartorial expression has led her to feel a kinship with none other than Lady Gaga. “I was obsessed with her early work. Her music and fashion are iconic, and I applaud her support toward her fans into being themselves.”
Elyse’s own focus on individuality was part of what led her to model. Coming from a fashion-friendly family—her sister also modeled—Elyse was eager to express herself on the catwalk. “I grew up with my older sister modeling, so walking for Louis Vuitton is something I’ve dreamt about since I was a child,” she says. Accomplishing her long-held goals came with the added bonus of working with Ghesquière, a talent she’d long admired. “I am so appreciative of Nicolas, he is so inspiring and kindhearted.” With Vuitton under her belt and a wealth of offers coming in, Elyse is ready to conquer her next challenge: New York. “I am excited to travel to New York—if I wasn’t modeling, I’d be in Sydney at high school searching for work. I want to continue modeling for as long as I can.”
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