Fashion Models Application 2024
Step onto the Juneteenth NYC runway and showcase the artistry of Black fashion designers. We welcome models of all experience levels, sizes, and backgrounds who share our passion for celebrating culture through fashion.
View Fashion ShowsAbout the Modeling Opportunity
What it means to walk the Juneteenth NYC runway and how to put your best application forward.
The Juneteenth NYC Fashion Show is more than a runway event — it is a cultural statement. Every model who graces our stage plays an essential role in bringing the visions of Black designers to life, celebrating the depth and diversity of African American creativity, and inspiring the thousands of spectators who attend each year.
We are committed to inclusive casting. Our runway features models of every size, shape, age, and gender identity. Whether you are a seasoned professional with agency representation or someone who has always dreamed of walking a runway for the first time, we encourage you to apply. What matters most to our casting committee is confidence, presence, and a genuine enthusiasm for the Juneteenth NYC mission.
Application Requirements
To submit a complete application, you will need to provide the following information. Having these details ready before you begin will make the process quicker and smoother.
- Personal Information: Full legal name, preferred name (if different), contact email, phone number, and mailing address. You must be at least 16 years old to apply, and applicants under 18 require a parent or guardian co-signature.
- Measurements: Height, bust, waist, hips, and shoe size. These measurements help designers prepare garments that fit you properly. Exact measurements are preferred, but close estimates are acceptable at the application stage — final fittings happen closer to the show date.
- Portfolio or Photos: Submit two to four recent photographs showing your face and full body. Professional photos are welcome but not required — clear, well-lit snapshots taken with a phone are perfectly fine. We want to see the real you, so minimal editing is preferred.
- Availability: Confirm your availability for rehearsals, fittings, and the show day itself. Rehearsals typically take place in the two weeks leading up to the fashion show, and attendance at the dress rehearsal is mandatory for all selected models.
- Experience Statement: A brief paragraph about your modeling experience and why you want to participate in the Juneteenth NYC Fashion Show. No experience is necessary — we are equally interested in first-time models with a compelling story and a strong walk.
Selection Process
Applications are reviewed by our fashion show committee, which includes experienced casting directors, fashion show coordinators, and representatives from participating designers. The committee evaluates each application based on stage presence potential, diversity of representation, and compatibility with the designers' collections.
Selected models will be notified via email and matched with a designer whose collection aligns with their measurements and aesthetic. From there, the designer and model collaborate on fitting sessions leading up to the show. Our team is available throughout the process to answer questions and provide support, especially for first-time models who may be unfamiliar with runway protocol.
What to Expect on Show Day
The Juneteenth NYC Fashion Show is a high-energy event that typically runs in the evening as part of the broader celebration schedule. Models arrive early for hair and makeup, which is provided by our professional styling team at no cost. After final fittings and a walkthrough rehearsal, the show begins.
The runway is set before an audience of hundreds, including community leaders, press, photographers, and fashion enthusiasts. Event media coverage is extensive, and models who consent to being photographed may be featured in post-event publications and social media highlights.
Many of our models describe the experience as life-changing. Walking the Juneteenth NYC runway is not just a modeling opportunity — it is a chance to be part of a cultural celebration that honors freedom, creativity, and the beauty of the Black community. Past models have gone on to participate in community nomination programs and continue their involvement with Juneteenth NYC in various capacities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fee to apply or participate?
No. Participation as a model is completely free. Hair, makeup, and styling are provided at no cost.
Do I need prior experience?
No. We welcome models of all experience levels. We provide walk coaching during rehearsals.
Can I also apply as a designer?
Yes. If you design and model, please submit separate applications — use the designer application for your collection and this form for modeling.
When will I hear back?
Selected models are typically notified four to six weeks before the fashion show date. Please ensure the email address you provide is accurate and check your spam folder.
We look forward to seeing your application. The runway is waiting for you — take the first step and apply today. And while you are here, consider nominating someone in your community who deserves recognition at the Black Kings dinner.
Explore More Opportunities
There are many ways to be part of Juneteenth NYC
Fashion Designer Application
Showcase your designs on our runway alongside talented Black creatives from across New York City.
Apply as designerEvent Registration
Register for the parade, vendor marketplace, or any other Juneteenth NYC event.
Register nowCommunity Nominations
Honor someone making a difference by nominating them for recognition at the Black Kings dinner gala.
Nominate someonePreparing for the Runway: Tips from Past Models
Guidance from Juneteenth NYC alumni to help new applicants put their best foot forward — literally and figuratively.
Walking the Juneteenth NYC runway is a different experience than commercial or editorial modeling. The audience is deeply engaged, the cultural context is rich, and the energy in the room reflects the significance of the moment. Past models consistently report that preparation matters — not just in terms of technical skill, but in terms of emotional and cultural readiness to be part of something larger than a single performance.
First-time models are encouraged to attend at least one rehearsal as an observer before the show if possible. Watching how the runway flows, understanding the timing between looks, and observing how experienced models handle transitions and audience engagement makes a significant difference on show day. Our production team facilitates these orientation opportunities for accepted models, and we strongly recommend taking advantage of them.
Confidence is the most important quality a model can bring to the Juneteenth NYC runway. This is not a competition or an audition for a commercial opportunity — it is a celebration. Models who walk with joy, presence, and pride in the moment create the most memorable looks. Our walk coaching sessions, offered to all accepted models in the two weeks before the show, focus less on technical posture and more on embodying the spirit of the collection and the occasion.
Working with Designers
The model-designer relationship is central to the fashion show experience. Once matches are made by the committee, designers and models communicate directly to coordinate fittings, discuss the collection's themes, and prepare for show day. This creative collaboration often results in the most visually and emotionally compelling runway moments.
Be communicative and responsive with your assigned designer. Attend all scheduled fittings. Provide accurate measurements and notify the team immediately if any changes occur. Ask questions about the collection — understanding what inspired the designer helps you embody the garments more authentically. Many models find that this dialogue transforms them from a clothes hanger into a storyteller.
Designers who are impressed by a model's professionalism and stage presence often invite them to participate in future shows and other events. The Juneteenth NYC fashion show has launched several long-term creative partnerships between designers and models who met through the program.
After the Show
The experience does not end when you leave the runway. Official photographs from the fashion show are shared with all participating models, cleared for personal and professional portfolio use. Many models find that their Juneteenth NYC runway appearance becomes a centerpiece of their modeling portfolio, particularly because of the high quality of our event photography.
Models are featured in post-event social media coverage across our channels, which reach a substantial and engaged community audience. If you consent to media use of your images — which the application form addresses — you may also appear in press coverage from credentialed media organizations who cover the show.
We encourage models to stay connected to the Juneteenth NYC community after the show. Attend community events, follow the nominations program, and consider volunteering or mentoring aspiring models in future years. The fashion show is a door — what you build after you walk through it is up to you.
The Broader Fashion Community at Juneteenth NYC
The fashion show is the most visible expression of Juneteenth NYC's relationship with Black fashion, but it is not the only one. Throughout the festival weekend, fashion and style are present everywhere — in the parade's cultural performance groups, in the vendor marketplace where independent designers sell directly to customers, and in the personal expression of the tens of thousands of attendees who dress for the occasion.
Models who participate in the show often find themselves embedded in a broader creative community that includes the designers they work with, the photographers who document the event, the stylists and makeup artists who prepare them backstage, and the media professionals who cover the show. This constellation of creatives forms a genuine professional network, and Juneteenth NYC creates meaningful opportunities for these connections to form and flourish.
We also encourage models to attend the events beyond the fashion show during the celebration weekend. Watching the parade, visiting the vendor marketplace, and learning about the community leaders honored at the Black Kings dinner deepens your connection to the celebration's purpose and history. The more you understand about what Juneteenth NYC stands for, the more meaningfully you can embody that purpose when you walk the runway.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Submit yours as soon as you are ready, and do not hesitate to reach out to our team with questions. We look forward to welcoming you to the Juneteenth NYC fashion show family — and to seeing what you bring to the runway.
Ready to Walk the Runway?
Applications for the 2024 fashion show are open. Submit yours today and join us in celebrating Black fashion and culture.