Julia Nobis has always moved through fashion as a force with real gravity. Scouted in 2009 and named a Calvin Klein exclusive just one year later, she quickly became an industry constant. With a deliberately low social-media footprint (and a face that gives maximum impact), the Aussie beauty dons Michael Rider’s debut collection for Celine. A collection designed, as he puts it, “to live on, to become a part of the wearer’s life.”

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

Julia Nobis: My favourite part of spring is seeing everything come back to life. Seeing the crocus and daffodils poking through the snow warms my soul.

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?

JN: A bit of a shake up is necessary every now and then so I think its been a good thing, but im glad that things are settling down now. 

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

JN: More girls are going further in their education and doing things other than just modelling. It means all these women bring more to work than just a face and body.

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?

JN: I wanted to make sure that I stayed true to myself. When you’re putting on different faces and outfits it’s important to remember who you are underneath it all.

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

JN: I don’t know who is more nervous for their first time. Regardless, there are always happy tears after a first show.

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

JN: When I started I was 17 so I considered all the designers to be proper “grown ups” even if many of them weren’t that much older than me. Now 15 years on and we’ve all grown up together. I’ve had funny conversations with designers looking back on history like “we were babies! We had no idea what we were doing”

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

JN: Definitely raw. Leave room to grow.

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

Photography Chris Colls
Fashion George Cortina
Model Julia Nobis (Dna models)
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