Fashion Model Lulu Tenney Reflects on Her Unstoppable Rise

The ELLE cover star shares insights on her modeling career and future aspirations.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 12:31pm

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Lulu Tenney, a 24-year-old fashion model from Brooklyn, reflects on her meteoric rise in the industry. Discovered at age 13 while walking through SoHo, Tenney quickly made her debut on the cover of Vogue Italia and became the exclusive face of Raf Simons' Calvin Klein collection. Since then, she has worked with numerous high-profile brands and is now based in Paris, where she is pursuing acting opportunities alongside her modeling work.

Why it matters

Tenney's story highlights the unpredictable nature of the modeling industry, where a chance encounter can lead to a successful career. Her transition from a teenage discovery to one of the most sought-after models of the 2020s showcases the rapid pace of change in the fashion world and the potential for models to leverage their platform into other creative pursuits.

The details

Tenney was first scouted as a toddler for a Baby Gap ad, but her big break came at age 13 when a modeling agent approached her on the street in SoHo. After several test shoots, Tenney's photos caught the eye of renowned photographer Steven Meisel, who helped launch her career with a Vogue Italia cover in 2016. Since then, Tenney has walked the runway for Raf Simons' Calvin Klein and worked with top brands like Dior, Celine, and Chanel. While modeling has been her focus, Tenney's ultimate goal is to transition into acting, drawing on her background in theater and comedy.

  • Tenney was first scouted as a toddler for a Baby Gap ad.
  • At age 13, Tenney was approached by a modeling agent while walking through SoHo in 2015.
  • Tenney made her Vogue Italia cover debut in 2016.
  • Tenney became the exclusive face of Raf Simons' Calvin Klein collection in 2016.
  • Tenney is currently based in Paris, where she is pursuing acting opportunities in addition to her modeling work.

The players

Lulu Tenney

A 24-year-old fashion model from Brooklyn who has become one of the most sought-after models of the 2020s, working with top brands like Dior, Celine, and Chanel.

Steven Meisel

A legendary fashion photographer who helped launch Tenney's career by featuring her on the cover of Vogue Italia in 2016.

Raf Simons

A Belgian fashion designer who made Tenney the exclusive face of his Calvin Klein collection in 2016.

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What they’re saying

“I felt a vibe that something was going to happen.”

— Lulu Tenney

“It's the excitement of things that could come in the future. It's having goals, changing your goals once you achieve them, and knowing that the possibilities are not necessarily endless, but there's a lot out there.”

— Lulu Tenney

“When you have a magic day on set, you just lose yourself and time passes really quickly, and it's very communal—you get close to people quickly. Everything happens in such a contained space that it's almost like a daylong sleepaway camp.”

— Lulu Tenney

What’s next

Tenney is currently seeking out auditions and filming self-tapes in Paris as she looks to transition her modeling career into acting.

The takeaway

Lulu Tenney's journey from a chance street scouting to becoming one of the top models of the 2020s showcases the unpredictable and fast-paced nature of the fashion industry, as well as the potential for models to leverage their platform into other creative pursuits like acting.