Spring has always been a story of return. In Greek mythology, Persephone’s ascent from the underworld signaled the end of winter’s barrenness. Blossoms begin to bloom, leaves change, and the sun makes a much-anticipated appearance. “Winter is tough for a lot of people, including myself,” says Devyn Garcia. “It’s cold and gets dark super early, so when the light slowly comes back, I feel an uplifting shift and more vibrant energy in everyone.”

Captured by photographer Chris Colls and styled by George Cortina for our latest V159 Spring 2026 issue—in Tiffany & Co.’s HardWear collection, a line that reflects the enduring resilience of New York City—Garcia reflects on the spirit of reinvention defining the season: “It’s about the evolution. I think it’s so important to create the space for yourself to grow, and these [recent] shifts were much needed in the landscape. It’s always very exciting to see a different perspective, and I think this year will really challenge us to discuss the state of fashion and where it’s going.”

For our spring issue, V talked to Garcia about the season’s return, fashion’s evolution, and why authenticity is everything in 2026.

V: What’s your favorite part about spring? Are there any fond memories you associate with the season?

DG: My favorite part about spring is seeing the sparkle in people’s eyes when going outside again. Winter is tough for a lot of people, including myself – it’s cold and gets dark super early, so when the light slowly comes back I feel an uplifting shift and more vibrant energy in everyone. I always love seeing the trees blooming, the cherry blossoms and magnolia trees are my favorite. It’s amazing to see what colors the earth naturally creates. 

V: Many of the Spring 2026 collections we’re debuts for certain designers, opening a larger conversation on fashion’s need for renewal. How are you feeling about the recent creative shake-ups at these fashion houses?

DG: I believe change is always needed, and it is less about whether it ends up being a good or bad change – rather it’s more about the evolution. I think it’s so important to create the space for yourself to grow, and these shifts were much needed in the landscape. It’s always very exciting to see a different perspective, and I think this year will really challenge us to discuss the state of fashion and where it’s going.

V: What excites you most about the current state of modeling today?

DG: What excites me most about modeling today is the opportunity to work with the top creatives in the world – from creative directors to makeup/hair artists to photographers to aspiring designers to editors and everything in between. This isn’t something new in modeling, but I think it is still the aspect that is beyond special to models, as we are the muses of designers. In an industry that is more celebrity centric/ social media driven than decades prior,  I think it’s very exciting to be the original instrument of a designer’s influence. It is still very interesting to see a new face you don’t recognize wearing a fabulous new design by Jonathan, Daniel or Louise that profoundly moves you – I mean that is the very essence of high fashion. We’ve reached a pivotal moment where trends seem never-ending, the pace is very fast, so I appreciate the craftsmanship and talent of those I get to work with even more.

V: A designer’s debut collection is often a statement of identity. Do you remember what you wanted your first major season to say about you? How did you personally manage the pressure of being ‘introduced’ to the industry?

DG: My first show was Jacquemus, and it truly felt very aligned. I always crave sunshine, warm colour tones, and overall lightness as I grew up in Miami, so walking Jacquemus felt like stepping into myself but now in a different way. When you are a new face it is very exciting, you are meeting all of these amazing creatives who are enthralled by you and want to get to know you personally too. There is something very enjoyable about unveiling yourself to new people, and I think as a model this is magnified as you travel from city to city and show to show during fashion month. At the same time, as a model, I also enjoy assuming different roles across different designers’ collections.  

V: What do you think are the parallels between a model’s first runway moment and a designer presenting their first collection?

DG: I think these are very public moments that nothing can truly prepare you for- you must be bold in your audacity to go for it. It happens so fast too, that you don’t reflect on the courage it took until time passes and you can reflect and compare other experiences to it. 

V: Are there any designers from the current landscape of fashion whose work you feel especially connected to?

DG: I really love when brands such as Gabriela Hearst use sustainable, natural fabrics. I think there’s a lot to be done with material made from plastics and repurposing them, but I wish for a future that’s more intentional with fabrics, that brings a slowness back to design and craft.

V: Do you believe it’s better for a debut—model or designer—to be perfectly polished, or slightly raw?

DG: Raw 100%.  In 2026 to really connect with an audience, it’s important to show your bare face / be stripped of any facade you may have because authenticity is so highly valued. People want to feel a connection to others, especially after the pandemic, we now realize how important our ‘humanness’ really is.

Photography Chris Colls
Fashion George Cortina
Model Devyn Garcia (The Lions)
Editor-in-Chief / Creative Director Stephen Gan
Makeup Mark Carrasquillo (Streeters)
Hair Bob Recine
Manicure Honey (Exposure)
Casting Goran Macura
Executive Producer Dana Brockman (Viewfinders)
Producer Max Bonbrest (Viewfinders)
Production Assistant T. Harper
Digital Technician Jeanine Robinson
Movement Director Marly Phillips Nicol
Director of Editorial Film Mynxii White
Location Untitled Studios
Equipment Alex Bova
Photo Assistants Daniil Zaikin, Ben Carhartt
Styling Assistants Moses Moreno, Trevor McMullan,
Jared Benhart, Mary Reinehr Gigler
Tailor Yaqi Sun (Atelier YQS)
Makeup Assistants Shoko Sawatari, Yuui Vision
Hair Assistant Shinya Iwamoto
Set Designer Happy Massee (La La Land)
Set Design Assistant Kevin Murphy