Runway darling, from New York to Paris

Supermodel Jeneil Williams proved her versatility and across-the-board appeal when she hit the big times at fashion's signature collections in 2007. Up to then, she had proven editorial success, but the shows were a new challenge. It was at New York Fashion Week that she first made her mark, creating something of a stir when she was selected to do opening looks for such fashion luminaries as Richard Chai, Deisel, Michelle Obama's stylist Zero +Maria Cornejo and the Project Runway finale. In that first season, Williams did a relatively modest eight shows, a precursor to the explosive success in her second and third seasons. Indeed, her current runway success as one of the lead models for the iconic Burberry and Lanvin lines was responsible for her Wall Street Journal covers, as that industry standard took a look at the business of fashion over the past two seasons.


By 2008, Vogue model Williams, had become one of the bright stars of New York Fashion Week. In that season, she also captured the hearts of the fashionistas in Paris when she hit the runway for the revered Lanvin. Arriving a mere day before the collections started, Williams booked Lanvin and other shows, including the highly regarded Castel Baga, on the strength of her impressive New York Fashion Week appearances.

By 2009, Williams had truly taken her place as princess of the world's runways. From the urban hip strip of New York to the glamorous scene in Milan, the GQ model racked up runway mileage for some of fashion's major power players, including Vivienne Westwood, Ungaro, Isaac Mizrahi, Marc Jacobs, Reed Krakof, Narciso Rodriquez, Jonathan Saunders, the timeless Nicole Miller, Rosa Cha, Paul Smith (presenting the all important opening look and designer curtain call with the designer), Tracy Reese, the sassy PPQ, Prabel Gurung, Tommy Hilfiger, Viktor & Rolf, Custo Barcelona, burgeoning fashion force, Alexandre Herchcovitch and Roksanda Ilinic, among other style savants.

Impressive Showing
Touted by international fashion execs as 'the model to watch' that style season, Jeneil easily satisfied her audience with impressive showings in all the major markets. In Paris, her runway credits included luxury brand Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Zac Posen, Diane Von Furstenberg, Loewe, Lacoste, Miu Miu by Miuccia, plus such heavy hitters as Prada, Celine and Chloe. It was clear that designers had formed a special connection with Williams and given her impressive track record (Italian Vogue, GQ, Victoria's Secret), it was only natural that Williams would return to the fashion previews as a contender for top runway honours. For both the fall-winter and the spring-summer seasons in 2009, the die was cast when it was confirmed that the svelte beauty had been booked for all the major markets.


Stunningly, she quadrupled her previous client lists for New York and Paris and broke new ground in Milan and London; from Prada to Fendi, and Gaultier to Galliano, Williams wore the big names of fashion like the pro she had become.