Our spring parade of models wouldn’t be complete without French beauty Jeanne Cadieu.

Part of modeldom’s French new wave, Cadieu stands as one of the season’s revelations, embodying the effortless elegance that defines spring’s return. Captured here in a standout look from Jonathan Anderson’s debut collection for Dior—a plissé-focused ensemble with a sculpted, lace-adorned neckline inspired by Christian Dior’s 1950s silhouettes—Cadieu reminds us how a jolt of fresh energy can make the season feel entirely new again.

Reflecting on spring’s arrival, Cadieu turns to poet Mary Oliver: “Who doesn’t want the sun after the long winter?” After months of darkness, she says, the season feels like a collective exhale—“as if the world is lighting up again.” With her birthday approaching, the moment carries added symbolism. “There’s something meaningful about marking another year of life at the same time the world is renewing itself.”

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

Jeanne Cadieu: As poet Mary Oliver said, Well, who doesn’t want the sun after the long winter? After months of darkness, spring brings light. It all feels like a relief, as if the world was exhaling again. It’s also (selfishly) my birthday approaching, which makes it even more symbolic. There’s something meaningful about marking another year of life at the same moment the world is lighting up and renewing itself.

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

JC: Fashion needs movement to stay alive, and these shake-ups feel like a reminder that the industry is allowed to evolve. There’s always risk involved, but that tension is what makes things interesting. You can feel when a designer is genuinely trying to say something new, and that’s exciting to be around.

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

JC: There’s more room for individuality than ever before. Models aren’t expected to fit into one narrow idea anymore—we’re encouraged to bring our personalities, our stories, our quirks. It feels less about being interchangeable and more about being present and personal, which makes the work feel more fun and challenging. 

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?

JC: Everything felt new and unpredictable but what I remember most was wanting to stay curious and open-minded. Managing the pressure was real! But it also challenged me to grow. Discovering the industry and learning about myself was really what my first season was about. 

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

JC: Both are incredibly vulnerable moments. You’re stepping into visibility and saying, “This is who I am right now.” It’s scary!

V: Have you ever felt like you were growing alongside a designer who was just starting out? What was that experience like?

JC: Yes, and those experiences are some of the most meaningful. Real collaboration is built on trust, and it doesn’t get much deeper than that. 

V: Are there any designers in today’s fashion landscape whose work you feel especially connected to?

JC: There are many designers I deeply respect and admire. For me, it’s not only about the work itself, but about my connection to the human being behind it. The two are completely intertwined.

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

JC: Slightly raw, always. Imperfections are what make anything feel human and relatable.

This story appears in the pages of V159: now available for purchase!

Photography Chris Colls
Fashion George Cortina
Model Jeanne Cadieu(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