It’s one thing to be the girl of the moment, and another to build something that lasts. This season, model Luna Bijl maintained a momentum that carried her through all four cities and saw her on the runway for brands like Alexander Wang, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel. Though Bijl’s nonstop season introduced her to a new audience, fashion month wasn’t her first taste of success. In a reverse of the typical narrative, Bijl excelled editorially before conquering the catwalk, garnering two covers of Vogue’s French edition this year, and work with fashion legends like Joe McKenna and David Sims. Landing on the cover of a magazine is every model’s dream, but for Bijl the experience came as a shock. “They didn’t tell me I was going to be on the cover. For me it was just as big a surprise as for everyone else; I got emotional the first time I saw the pictures,” says Bijl on the phone from Holland, where she’s enjoying a post–fashion month respite. “I did the story, and just clicked with David. The team was so supportive—I felt really comfortable, I wasn’t nervous. They let me do my thing and it really worked out.” Doing her own thing has been Bijl’s approach since day one. A tomboy with a love of sports (especially motocross), she fell in love with modeling’s ability to push her beyond her comfort zone. “For me, standing in front of the camera is an escape from reality,” says Bijl. “You get to see yourself in a very different way; you can play different characters and change into these different roles.” The vampy fur-and-diamond-clad vixen she’s portrayed in photos is far removed from the down-to-earth girl she projects in person, but Bijl’s ability to tackle the part speaks to her versatility and a shift in the kinds of models who are in demand. After seasons of offbeat tweens and children of celebrities, modeling’s It face is a bold beauty in the mold of the supermodels. Like the ’90s stars, Bijl displays a genuine passion for modeling: The job isn’t a placeholder until college or a temporary thrill; she’s serious about going the distance. “I finally have the chance to show people what I have and how much I care about this job,” she says. Proud of her accomplishments thus far and the determination that went in to them, Bijl approached fashion month with the resolve of an athlete. “I went to the gym every day, I practiced my walk, and I worked hard,” says Bijl. “I did everything so that season I’d be ready.” That dedication paid off, not just with a killer show list, but the opportunity to walk alongside legends like Stella Tennant and Lauren Hutton, whose decades-spanning careers serve as a source of inspiration. “You hear about these people and you see these people, and it’s special to finally meet them in real life,” says Bijl. “I respect all my colleagues, if you’re well known or not known, everyone works hard. To be with the people who’ve done this for years, though, is special; it gives you confidence.” Naturally, with the highs came a few lows: A heel infection halted things in London, and downtime was hard to come by, but Bijl takes the challenges in stride, crediting her background in motocross with helping to keep her grounded. “It’s funny, because with motocross you’re alone—it’s a sport you do on your own, so I learned a lot there that I can use in modeling,” says Bijl. “In [this industry] in many ways you’re also on your own. You deal with competition and disappointments.” Even with the occasional test, Bijl’s enthusiasm for the job shows no signs of waning: In fact, she’s only just begun. “When I get an opportunity, I just go for it—I want to continue walking shows and doing shoots because I truly enjoy it. What I want to do is more campaigns, more covers—more, more, more! I’m ready for it!”  

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