When Role Models Replace Runway Models, the Result Is Extra Fierce

Updated on Sep 11, 2015 at 3:10 PM

You'll never guess who walked in the Carrie Hammer Spring 2016 show. Nope, not Gigi Hadid. Or Kendall Jenner. And it definitely wasn't Cara Delevingne coming out of runway retirement.

Rather, it was everyday women, of all shapes and sizes, who happen to have cool careers outside the realm of fashion. It's a choice the designer — who also partners with real-beauty pioneer Dove — has become known for, and you may remember seeing Jamie Brewer, an actress with Down syndrome who stars in American Horror Story, doing her thing last season. Read on to view the black, white, and pink collection and see CEOs, ice skaters, and even our very own beauty editor Lauren Levinson strut their stuff on the catwalk.

Rakia Reynolds

President of Skai Blue Media.

Melissa Miranda

Director of customer and lifestyle marketing at Pepsi Co.

Tayla Colton

Senior director of programs at KCA.

Avani Patel

Trendseeder CEO and founder.

Penny Abeywardena

NYC mayor's commissioner for internal affairs.

Melanie Schnoll Begun

Managing director of wealth management at Morgan Stanley.

Christine Osekoski

EVP of marketing at Katz Media Group.

Deb Curtis

Vice president at American Express.

June Cohen

Executive producer at TED.

Jess Weiner

Talk to Jess, LLC CEO and confidence expert.

Rachel Gogel

Creative director of T Brand Studio at The New York Times.

Kaitlyn Cawley

Editor in chief at Elite Daily.

Chanel Cathey

Director of corporate communications at Viacom.

Teri Whitcraft

ABC News senior producer.

Gwen Greene

Vice president of JP Morgan Securities.

Deborah Jackson

Founder and CEO of Plum Alley.

Lauren Levinson

Editor at POPSUGAR Beauty.

La Neice Collins

Communications and advocacy advisor at the United Nations.

Marie-Eve Piche

Vice president of financial planning and analysis at AppNexus.

Rebecca Kantar

GLG entrepreneur in residence.

Joya Dass

TV anchor at NY1.

Satya Twena

CEO and creative director at Satya Twena Fine Millinery.

Tolu Olubunmi

Social entrepreneur and "dreamer" at DREAM Act.

Michelle Herrera Mulligan

Editor in chief of Cosmo For Latinas.

Meryl Davis

Olympic figure skater gold medalist.

Maysoon Zayia

Comedian, disability advocate, and tap dancer.

Carrie Hammer

The designer.