Becoming an It-girl doesn’t happen by luck. She must possess a look that establishes a presence, the passion to succeed, and that unshakable spirit to conquer a world that never stops watching. In the best looks of Resort 2026, six unstoppable forces are rewriting the rules—one catwalk, chart-topper, viral post, and scene-stealing moment at a time. Their era isn’t coming—it’s already here.

Meadow Walker

She may have inherited her father’s striking looks, but it’s Meadow Walker’s heart of gold that has the fashion world utterly captivated. Whether she’s turning heads on the runway or diving into ocean conservation, the 26-year- old is on a mission to make waves—in style and in substance.

Occupation: Model & Founder/CEO, The Paul Walker Foundation
Hometown: Honolulu, HI

What was the starting point for the Paul Walker Foundation?

The Paul Walker Foundation was created as a way to honor my father and carry forward his legacy. At its core, the initiative is built on a promise to protect our ocean, empower the next generation of environmental leaders, and inspire compassion in everything we do.

Do you believe you’re the type of person to create change?

I don’t know if I’d say I am that person, but it’s definitely a goal of mine. If I can use the platforms I’m part of—fashion and ocean conservation—to raise awareness and encourage others, then I’ll feel like I’m moving in the right direction.

What do you think makes an it-girl?

Authenticity.

How did you first fall in love with modeling?

I fell in love with modeling through the creative process and the collaboration it brings. I love how people with different skills and perspectives come together to create something unique and inspiring.

What words do you live by?

Trust the process. 

ABSOLUTELY

With talent that runs in the bloodline, Absolutely is proving that lightning can strike three times in one family. After writing for the likes of David Guetta and Normani, the London-born artist is stepping into her own spotlight—working on her second album and accompanying visual project while gearing up to join sisters RAYE and Amma on a world tour.

Occupation: Musician
Hometown: London, UK

What are you working on this season that you’re most excited about?

I’m working on my second album, which is very close to being finished. I think it’s very special. We’re working on a visual project alongside the album, which I’m possibly even more excited about. I can’t wait until I can finally share it.

What’s something in the fashion world you would like to turn on its head?

I’d like to disrupt the idea that fashion always has to be about polish, perfection, or what’s “flattering.” I love clothes that are odd, playful, or childlike. I want to push the narrative that clothing can be a form of storytelling rather than just a tool for fitting in.

Your track “I Just Don’t Know You Yet” became a fan favorite even before it dropped. What’s it been like watching a song live its own life out in the world before you even officially released it?

It was all very surreal, honestly. I was still on the road when the video I posted of the song went viral. Seeing how it connected with so many people, watching more and more singing along in each city on tour was really special. It wasn’t until I played my first festival set at All Points East in London at the end of the summer that I saw the real impact it had made. Thousands of people came to watch and were singing along to the song. It was a real monumental moment for me.

Growing up, did you ever imagine you’d be sharing an arena stage with your sisters?

Growing up, I was always so afraid of the thought of being on stage. Part of me knew that I would have to face it one day if this was the career path I wanted to take, but I always would try not to think about it too much. Before I went on tour with my sister Raye a couple years ago, I had many sleepless nights, fearful of performing to thousands of people. Many shows later I can now say that I enjoy performing— hough there’s still aspects of it that I am learning how to navigate—but overall I have come so far. The thought of touring arenas with my sisters next year is much more exciting to me now, rather than nerve wracking. 

Of your early inspirations, who would you say helped inform who you are today?

My family has been such an important part of shaping who I am. My Dad—who manages my sisters and I—is full of ambition. The skies are the limit for him, and he instilled that doubtless belief in me from such a young age. My mum’s faith has played a big part in who I am. She is very prayerful, as is my Grandma. Without all their prayers I would not be where I am or who I am today. My sister Raye (this is an unbiased opinion) is the best musician I have ever met. Her musical abilities, her performances, her songwriting, and honesty is all incomparable. To watch her journey has been so inspiring to me–to know that anything is possible when we apply hard work and discipline to our God given gifts. To have an example as rare as her in my life has been a true blessing, one that I cannot take for granted. My other big sister Amma has recently started releasing music, and she is also incredible. Amma has a beautiful gift to empathize with others, she can make anyone feel seen and heard with just one small conversation. The way she gives her care and time for others is truly inspiring to me. 

What do you think makes an it-girl?

I think an it girl is someone who feels magnetic because she is unapologetically herself. She doesn’t belong everywhere, she builds her own world and invites everyone into it. 

What words do you live by?

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 

In your opinion, what does “cutting edge” look like to you in the landscape of pop culture?

I think the cutting edge right now is about authenticity, making space for vulnerability, strange ideas, and unconventional beauty to live inside pop culture. 

Do you believe you’re the type of person to create change?

I would like to think so, but it’s not something I consciously think about. I think change comes when you stay true to your perspective and commit to showing people the world through your lens. My music, visuals, and fashion choices I feel are quite unique and whimsical. If that gives even one person permission to embrace their own strangeness or authenticity, that’s change. 

Madeline Argy

Part documentarian, part style star—hand a girl a vlogging camera, and you just might watch her take over the internet, and that’s exactly what Madeline Argy has done. The English social media sensation’s star has skyrocketed with each new loyal follower—and she’s narrating her whole ascent with a wink and a plot twist.

Occupation: Storyteller
Hometown: “Girl I can’t tell u that”

What do you think makes an it-girl?

Someone who has always been on their own timing. Owning your freak makes you chic; that’s my motto.

What’s something in the fashion world you would like to turn on its head?

The idea that there’s a good and bad way to do fashion. There isn’t. If you wear something with pride, then you’re wearing it well; it doesn’t matter if it’s objectively an ugly shirt. Ugly shirts are cool.

What are you working on this season that you’re most excited about?

I wish I could tell you the projects I’m working on but that would ruin the fun. I am very excited though, and I hope to share them very soon 🙂 

How did you first fall in love with content creation? Was this something you set out to do, or something you fell into?

I fell in love with it a few times. I actually started cooking up content when I was 10 and was gifted my first camera. I would film everything including my deepest thoughts and feelings. I fell in love with it then, and just re-found that love when I grew up. My private snapchat story was one of my formative content creation experiences. I kept my subjects up to date and I loved it. Then one day I took that energy to TikTok because I needed to grab a girl’s attention and I didn’t have her on snap (yet). I’ve always loved telling stories – but I definitely fell into the whole full time content creator bit. 

Of your early inspirations, who would you say helped inform who you are today?

Phoebe Waller-Bridge. 

What words do you live by?

May your dreams be bigger than your fears.

In your opinion, what does “cutting edge” look like to you in the landscape of pop culture?

Bit of a big question. I think it looks like being unapologetic. Everyone is so unique that really all you need to do if you want to be cutting edge is be yourself. You don’t need some huge master plan or to invent some big elaborate thing – you are the elaborate thing. 

Do you believe you’re the type of person to create change?

I don’t know. I hope that maybe I can make someone feel seen or vocalize something for someone. I think there is so much power in words – and I think if you arm people with the right ones then they can set about any changes that they want to make for themselves. 

Rose Gray

Budding sensation Rose Gray’s debut album Louder, Please turned heads with its euphoric pop-meets-club energy, and now she’s turning it up again with A Little Louder, Please (Deluxe)—a darker, sexier encore featuring collaborations with Shygirl, Melanie C, and Logic1000.

Occupation: Artist, Singer-Songwriter & DJ
Hometown: London, UK

What are you working on this season that you’re most excited about?

It’s a surprise. Joking—I can’t keep surprises. I’m making new music and as I type this, I’m on a shoot for a very exciting music video in Paris.

Do you believe you’re the type of person to create change?

If a song of mine makes someone feel something as they get ready for a night out, or on their commute to work and it brings them some joy…then I guess even then there’s already a shift.

You’ve described “A Little Louder, Please” as “louder, darker, sexier.” What do those words mean sonically for you?

The deluxe is the crescendo to Louder, Please…the big sexy sister. It’s full of harder club edits, darker bass lines, and a little more chaos. It’s more experimental and weird in places. I reimagined every song on the record, it was such a beautiful experience to reopen those projects, take tracks I originally wrote on my own, and turn them into collaborations. Some songs on the deluxe to me feel like the epilogue to LP. 

The deluxe cover takes us to a snowy mountain. What story did you want to tell by moving from the beach to the Alps?

I thought that the mountains would reverberate my screams better.

The deluxe features collabs with Jade, Shygirl, Melanie C, Logic1000, Peach and more. What was the most exciting part of bringing other artists into your world? If you could add one more dream collaborator to “A Little Louder, Please,” who would it be?

When I started making the deluxe, I thought, how amazing would it be to bring all my favourite creators together on one record. I set that challenge for myself, merging my ultimate pop queens with the DJs I’m obsessed with. I used to follow Peach around Europe just to catch her sets, the same with Logic 1000. Melanie C is my forever favourite Spice Girl. If I could’ve had Magdalena Bay or Everything But The Girl on it too, that would have been iconic.

Of your early inspirations, who would you say helped inform who you are today?

Artists like Tori Amos, Lady Miss Kier of Deee-Lite, Björk, Robyn, Madonna, Uffie, Everything But The Girl’s Tracey Thorn, and Opus III… the list could go on. They’re all pioneers of electro/dance/pop music with powerful female leads who are lyrical geniuses in their own right. When I came to making music, I always looked up to this type of melody and writing. I love introspective dance music.

What do you think makes an it-girl?

To me, an it-girl doesn’t necessarily know they are an it-girl. It’s an accidental, unaffectedness. It’s not your typical popular type. I’ve always been drawn to the misfits—forget being ‘cool.’ I spent too long trying to be cool in my teens, and it was exhausting.

What words do you live by?

Louder (Please).

In your opinion, what does “cutting edge” look like to you in the landscape of pop?

There are always zeitgeists shifting pop culture, but for me it’s about not swaying by trends or sounds and staying true to yourself. I made Louder, Please because I just couldn’t stop making music and I almost couldn’t hold it in. Everything I was making was flowing out of me. I think authenticity is cutting edge. You know when you see someone and they’re really in their element? That’s hot and the best place to be.

What’s something in the fashion world you would like to turn on its head?

The idea that fashion has to be exclusive. I’ll never forget my first designer bag—it was a loan from an archive. Even just being able to borrow it made me feel special. Also, can we normalize repeating outfits over and over again?

ADÉLA

Although she didn’t make the cut in the Netflix competition series Dream Academy, a pop renegade was certainly being born. With pastel pink locks and pop tracks that can unleash the inner baddie within us all, the 21-year-old’s debut EP The Provocateur is giving the world a glimpse of a girl gone wild (in all the right ways).

Occupation: Singer-songwriter
Hometown: Bratislava, Slovakia

How did you first fall in love with music?

I’ve never not been in love with music. As soon as I perceived the concept of singing and dancing that’s all I wanted to do. My earliest memories are watching Hannah Montana and jumping around singing Best of Both Worlds in gibberish cause I couldn’t even speak English back then.

What do you think makes an it-girl?

A true it-girl has something to say. She’s opinionated and relentlessly herself. Someone who doesn’t give a singular fuck. Stubborn in her ways. Those are the kinds of women I’ve grown up looking up to.

What are you working on this season that you’re most excited about?

I just got back from my first mini tour, which was so rewarding and made everything feel a little more real. Now I’m back and working on my debut album. This is the first time I truly get to build a world and package it into one intentional and cohesive project. A lot of experimenting is going on right now. I just keep asking myself, “Does this sound like me?” and wait for the answer to come.

How did you find your sound? & how would you describe it to someone who hasn’t heard your songs yet?

I haven’t yet. I only have seven songs out right now and really started making music about a year and a half ago. I’m so young and constantly changing and shifting. I just try to make whatever excites me in the moment, because I’m very aware of my own pre-frontal-cortex-developed brain and how it continues to evolve all the time—both metaphorically and literally. Lol.

Of your early inspirations, who would you say helped inform who you are today?

My mom is the hardest worker and most caring human I’ve ever encountered. I feel so much of her in me, and I love it. As far as pop girls go, Miley was my intro to pop-girlhood. Then came Ariana, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Britney, Aretha, Whitney, Amy… I’ve been obsessed with almost exclusively female musicians my entire life, and I became a student of their ways. I’ve seen every video, documentary, live performance, and interview of these women available, I think… (that’s probably a lie, but I really have watched a lot, lol). They literally taught me how to speak English and introduced me to philosophies and inspirations that I live by to this day.

True Whitaker

A true Angeleno with storytelling in her DNA, True Whitaker is ready to write her own chapter in Hollywood. With a breakout role in HBO’s I Love L.A. and Spring Breakers: Salvation Mountain on deck, she’s proving that confidence and authenticity run in the family.

Occupation: Actor
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

You have a role in Rachel Sennott’s series I Love L.A. for HBO—how would you describe the show?

I would describe the show as an encapsulation of certain parts of L.A. and Gen Z culture. It’s a great example of twentysomethings scrambling to figure themselves out, their lives, and relationships.

Of your early inspirations, who would you say helped inform who you are today?

To be completely honest my parents and sisters have truly informed who I am today. I’ve grown up surrounded by so much talent and strong personality. I see a piece of each of my family members within me for sure.

What are you working on this season that you’re most excited about?

I’m so excited for the world to see what we’ve created over at HBO and also for my next project, Spring Breakers: Salvation Mountain.

As you look ahead, what kind of roles or stories feel most exciting for you to tell?

It’s important for me to tell stories that I feel haven’t been told yet or are rarely told. What makes acting so exciting for me is to be able to provide a voice or perspective to those who aren’t always heard—to introduce a person someone might have never, and might never, encounter in their day-to-day.

What do you think makes an it-girl?

Confidence and a willingness to march to their own beat!

What words do you live by?

Always be yourself.

In your opinion, what does “cutting edge” look like to you in the landscape of pop culture?

New and informed!

Do you believe you’re the type of person to create change?

Yes, I do believe I’m the type to create change. I’m very outspoken and always willing to speak up for those who need it.

What’s something in the fashion world you would like to turn on its head?

I don’t want to see anyone playing it safe. I want to see risk!

This story appears in the pages of V157: now available for purchase!

Photography Zoey Grossman

Fashion Anna Trevelyan

Editor-in-Chief / Creative Director Stephen Gan

Makeup Holly Silius (R3 Management)

Hair Dennis Gots (Forward Artists)

Manicurist Queenie Doan (Startouch Agency)

Editor / Casting Kev Ponce

Lighting Director Nick Tooman

Photo Assistants Benji Callot, Fred Mitchell

Digital Technician Dustin Edwards

Production Crawford & Co. Productions

Producers Zach Crawford, Suzette Kealen, Sean Gibson

Prop Stylist Danielle Von Braun

Prop Assistant Rebecca Morrison

Styling Assistant Savannah Tyson-Yarbrough

Makeup Assistant Laura Dudley

Hair Assistant Charlotte Huss

Location MILK Studios