As more robots start showing up in warehouses, offices, and even people’s homes, the idea of large language models hacking into complex systems sounds like the stuff of sci-fi nightmares. So, naturally, Anthropic researchers were eager to see what would happen if Claude tried taking control of a robot—in this case, a robot dog.
In a new study, Anthropic researchers found that Claude was able to automate much of the work involved in programming a robot and getting it to do physical tasks. On one level, their findings show the agentic coding abilities of modern AI models. On another, they hint at how these systems may start to extend into the physical realm as models master more aspects of coding and get better at interacting with software—and physical objects as well.
“We have the suspicion that the next step for AI models is to start reaching out into the world and affecting the world more broadly,” Logan Graham, a member of Anthropic’s red team, which studies models for potential risks, tells WIRED. “This will really require models to interface more with robots.”
Courtesy of Anthropic
Courtesy of Anthropic
Anthropic was founded in 2021 by former OpenAI staffers who believed that AI might become problematic—even dangerous—as it advances. Today’s models are not smart enough to take full control of a robot, Graham says, but future models might be. He says that studying how people leverage LLMs to program robots could help the industry prepare for the idea of “models eventually self-embodying,” referring to the idea that AI may someday operate physical systems.
It is still unclear why an AI model would decide to take control of a robot—let alone do something malevolent with it. But speculating about the worst-case scenario is part of Anthropic’s brand, and it helps position the company as a key player in the responsible AI movement.
In the experiment, dubbed Project Fetch, Anthropic asked two groups of researchers without previous robotics experience to take control of a robot dog, the Unitree Go2 quadruped, and program it to do specific activities. The teams were given access to a controller, then asked to complete increasingly complex tasks. One group was using Claude’s coding model—the other was writing code without AI assistance. The group using Claude was able to complete some—though not all—tasks faster than the human-only programming group. For example, it was able to get the robot to walk around and find a beach ball, something that the human-only group could not figure out.
Anthropic also studied the collaboration dynamics in both teams by recording and analyzing their interactions. They found that the group without access to Claude exhibited more negative sentiments and confusion. This might be because Claude made it quicker to connect to the robot and coded an easier-to-use interface.
Courtesy of Anthropic
The Go2 robot used in Anthropic’s experiments costs $16,900—relatively cheap, by robot standards. It is typically deployed in industries like construction and manufacturing to perform remote inspections and security patrols. The robot is able to walk autonomously but generally relies on high-level software commands or a person operating a controller. Go2 is made by Unitree, which is based in Hangzhou, China. Its AI systems are currently the most popular on the market, according to a recent report by SemiAnalysis.
The large language models that power ChatGPT and other clever chatbots typically generate text or images in response to a prompt. More recently, these systems have become adept at generating code and operating software—turning them into agents rather than just text-generators.
From New York to Paris, the month dedicated to Spring-Summer 2026 collections had a main character: Kai Schreiber. With blond hair and porcelain skin, the model has been a regular presence on various fashion week runways throughout the year, donning styles from a wide variety of designers on the runway, from Jason Wu to Fendi, Moschino to Valentino.
Born in New York City in 2008, Kai is a transgender woman, the second child of two big names in Hollywood, Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber, who have shared stories of her transition, which began at a young age. She’s often been targeted by the media for this as much as for the always controversial label of being a so-called nepo-baby in the fashion world. Her father recently said he didn’t take that criticism seriously: “I don’t have many thoughts for the haters,” he told TMZ earlier this year following Kai’s runway debut. “I’m gonna put it to you like this: What if you were a professional actor and your child decided they wanted to do something in this world. Do they have the choice of what you did? It doesn’t matter, like, that’s her life. She does what she wants with her life. And I’m super proud of her. I thought she did an amazing job on the show.”
OpenAI didn’t share details around any revenue-share agreements with Canva, Zillow, Spotify, and the other apps it highlighted today.
The new SDK announcement signals a deeper commitment to working with established enterprises and app makers—and an emphasis on keeping users within ChatGPT itself. If the web and mobile eras of the past 30 years were defined by users browsing the web or being locked into a mobile app experience, OpenAI is now combining the two into its own kind of chat-driven operating system.
Nick Turley, OpenAI’s head of product for ChatGPT, said in a briefing after the keynote that the company “never meant to build a chatbot; we meant to build a super assistant, and we got a little sidetracked.” He indicated that OpenAI is most excited about what it has achieved in natural language processing, but that the $500 billion startup will continue to experiment with different user interfaces around that.
“Will people spend all of their time in ChatGPT? I don’t think so,” Turley said. “I can imagine you starting your day with ChatGPT,” then being guided toward other apps and websites.
Beyond reimagining existing apps, OpenAI hopes to put itself at the center of efforts to build agents that use AI to complete tasks on a user’s behalf. The company unveiled several tools for building agents including AgentKit, a drag-and-drop interface for building advanced AI tools.
Capturing developer mind-share is also, of course, about coding tools. At Monday’s event, OpenAI announced that Codex, a model optimized to write code, would come out of research preview and become generally available. The company also announced new Codex tools, including a way to ask questions about code and edit it via Slack messages, an SDK for the Codex model, and new analytics tools to allow companies to monitor their employees’ Codex usage.
Whether you’re chasing cinematic landscapes or just want to snap the ultimate selfie from above, finding the best drone comes down to knowing what kind of flying experience you’re after. From compact foldable options you can slip into a backpack to advanced models that shoot silky-smooth 4K footage, today’s drones come packed with features that cater to everyone — from first-time flyers to seasoned drone pilots.
If you’re new to the skies, an entry-level drone with built-in safety features and multiple flight modes is a great place to start. If you prefer portability, a mini drone might be the perfect travel companion, especially one with a decent flight time and a responsive remote controller. For creators, the best camera drones often include a stabilized 4K camera for professional-level videography and are just as comfortable pairing with an Android device as they are with iOS. And if you’re working with a tighter budget, there are plenty of budget drone options that don’t skimp on core features like quadcopter stability, wind resistance or intelligent flight paths.
We’ve tested drones across a wide range of categories to help you find the right fit — whether you’re capturing epic sunsets, flying drones for fun in the backyard or learning the ropes as a hobbyist.
Table of contents
Best drones for 2025
Steve Dent for Engadget
Type: Mini camera drone | Flight time: Up to 34 minutes | Camera resolution: 48 MP | Video resolution: 4K at up to 100 fps | Weight: Under 249 grams
DJI’s Mini 4 Pro can do it all at a very reasonable price. It has an excellent onboard camera with a 1/1.3-inch sensor, 24mm f/1.7 lens, support for 4K 100 fps video with D-LogM, HLG and HDR capture and up to 48MP still photography. Endurance is around 45 minutes with the Intelligent Flight Plus battery and it can fly up to 12.4 miles away in unobstructed terrain, all while transmitting a 1080p 60 fps signal to your controller.
It has multiple subject tracking modes so it’s ideal for vlogging, and obstacle detection sensors on all sides help keep it out of danger. On top of that, it weighs less than 249 grams so it’s exempt from licensing requirements in most regions. Best of all, and I can’t say this enough, it’s priced reasonably and even the basic kit comes with an RC-N2 smartphone controller.
Type: Camera drone | Flight time: Up to 40 minutes | Camera resolution: 20 MP | Video resolution: 6K at 30 fps | Weight: 835 grams
If you prefer to not buy DJI drones due to the (very reasonable) risk that they may soon disappear from the US market, I’d recommend Autel. That company is based in China as well but some of its drones are made in the US and it isn’t on any sanctions lists. Autel’s Robotics Evo Lite+ has similar autonomous and obstacle detection features to the DJI Air 3S, while adding higher resolution 6K video and a 1-inch sensor, though it lacks a secondary camera. Battery life is a very solid 40 minutes and it has a maximum range of 7.5 miles with no obstacles.
Last year, I called DJI’s $200 Neo the camera product of the year, period. It’s a remarkably lightweight drone that can be piloted without a license and is people-safe thanks to its shrouded propellers. It’s great for beginners as you can simply place it in your hand and press a button, then it’ll fly off and capture cool programmed shots like “dronies.”
Just because it’s approachable doesn’t mean it’s basic, though. You can pilot the Neo manually using DJI’s controllers, FPV goggles and even a smartphone. It can hit speeds up to 20 mph while being highly maneuverable. And with the built-in AI features, it can track you while you walk or bike, making it a vlogger’s best friend. Finally, it can capture all your footage at 4K 30p, with surprisingly good quality. The main issue is the banshee-like noise it emits, but overall, it’s a highly useful product at a great price point.
DJI’s $439 Flip has a clever, user-friendly design, with all four propellers folding down and stacking below the body like some kind of Star Wars spacecraft. This helps protect the propellers to limit damage or injury in case of a collision. That people-safe design lets creators take high-quality 4K 60p video indoors (with D-LogM, HLG and HDR), even with dim lighting, thanks to the relatively large 1/1.3-inch sensor. Though the light weight allows you to fly it without a permit, the large surface and slowish speeds means it’s not ideal outdoors in windy conditions. And though the Flip offers sophisticated subject tracking modes, it has limited obstacle detection when that function is enabled. Still, it’s a powerful drone with up to a 10-mile range that offers a lot of functionality for the price.
Type: Mini selfie drone | Flight time: Up to 16 minutes | Camera resolution: 48 MP | Video resolution: 8K at 30 fps | Weight: 192.5 grams
Like the Flip, the $699 HoverAir X1 ProMax offers features like a folding, people-safe design, and a 1/1.3-inch sensor. However, unlike DJI’s model, the HoverAir X1 ProMax can dodge obstacles while tracking people, making it superior for that purpose. It’s also a touch faster with a maximum tracking speed of up to 26 mph and offers up to 8K 30 fps video, along with 4K 120 fps slo-mo footage. The main drawback, as mentioned, is the short 1km max range (with the optional beacon controller) and limited 16-minute battery life.
Type: Professional camera drone | Flight time: Up to 43 minutes | Camera resolution: 20 MP (main), additional telephoto lenses | Video resolution: Up to 5.1K at 50 fps | Weight: 958 grams
DJI’s Mavic 3 Pro is the best cinema drone if budget is no object, thanks to the Hasselblad Four Thirds primary camera with full D-Log capture (up to 4K 120 fps) that allows for excellent picture quality in most conditions. It also carries both 3x and 7x telephoto cameras that work well not just for creative content capture, but also things like wildlife spotting and search and rescue. Battery life is excellent at 43 minutes and range is a respectable 9.3 miles. Naturally, it has all of DJI’s ActiveTrack subject tracking features and is covered with obstacle detection sensors on all sides.
Type: Camera drone | Flight time: Up to 45 minutes | Camera resolution: 50 MP (wide-angle), 48 MP (telephoto) | Video resolution: 4K at up to 120 fps | Weight: Not specified
The DJI Air 3S has a unique dual-camera setup that allows you to capture many types of shots. The 50-megapixel, 1-inch sensor wide camera with a 24mm f/1.8 lens supports 4K recording up to 120 fps and 1080p at 240 fps, along with D-LogM to improve dynamic range. The secondary 70mm (3x) zoom camera has a still-decent 1.3-inch sensor, and supports the same video specs and color modes as the primary.
Battery life is ample at 45 minutes and the Air 3S can sense obstacles in all directions. The addition of a forward-facing LiDAR sensor aids detection in low light, making the ActiveTrack subject-tracking feature more versatile. With its high speeds up to 45 mph, the Air 3S can be used in windy conditions and can range as far as 12.5 miles away. It has 45 GB of internal storage as well, on top of a microSD slot. The basic kit is reasonably priced, but I’d recommend paying a bit more to get it in the Fly More kit with extra batteries.
The Avata 2 is known for being DJI’s main FPV drone, and yes, it can get as fast as 60 mph and its acrobatic abilities allow you to create exciting first-person footage. It’s more than just that, though. The 1/1.3-inch sensor camera can shoot high-quality 4K footage at up to 100 fps in D-LogM and HDR modes, matching the quality you get with the Mini 4 Pro. The protected propellers make it highly resistant to crashes and allow you to use the Avata 2 indoors or around people. It lacks obstacle detection sensors though, instead relying on its tough design and prop guards to survive crashes. Since battery life is only about 20 minutes, it’s best to buy the Avata 2 in the Fly More combo which includes an updated headset, three batteries and the latest RC Motion 3 controller.
For this guide, we’re looking only at drones that are basically flying cameras, so you want the best video and photo features possible. Bigger devices like DJI’s Mavic 3 Pro or Air 3S carry relatively large sensors, offering superior camera quality for nighttime cityscapes or other low-light scenes. Smaller models like the Mini 4 Pro and HoverAir X1 Max use smaller camera sensors, so they aren’t as good in dim light.
Field of view and minimum aperture are also important, with most drones typically having a wide-angle focal length, though a few others like the HoverAir X1 Max carry an ultrawide lens. Some models have multiple cameras including a wide and a zoom. As for aperture, lower numbers are better and allow for shooting in dim light. Most DJI models are solid in this regard, while the HoverAir models don’t perform as well.
Video resolution and slow-mo are also essential camera capabilities. Most drones these days can shoot at 4K with a frame rate of at least 30 fps, though some offer 6K or even 8K at up to 30 fps. Higher-end models can shoot 4K at up to 120 fps, allowing you to slow down the action dramatically to create a cinematic look.
Other noteworthy features include log or HDR video that supports higher dynamic range, particularly in bright and sunny conditions. Finally, the camera’s gimbal and stabilization are important factors to keep your footage looking as smooth as possible. Some drones have gimbals that can rotate the camera 90 degrees to give social media creators the maximum resolution for vertical formats.
Drone features: Speed, range, safety, battery life and obstacle detection
By and large, there are two types of camera drones to consider. The first are standard drones (usually with open propellers but not always) designed to fly outside and take scenic shots. Often there’s nothing to stop the props from striking skin or objects, so they can’t really be used indoors or around people. Some models like the DJI Neo and Flip have prop guards that better protect bystanders and property, as well as the drone itself.
Then there’s first-person-view (FPV) camera drones, which often have propeller guards and are meant to be used both indoors or outside to capture exciting footage. Standard models don’t need to go particularly fast as they’re mainly used to shoot fun videos for social media, but FPV drones need to move at high speeds to create excitement. Because of that speed, they’re also better in breezy conditions thanks to stronger wind resistance, and they can fight gusts and return home more quickly. Acrobatic abilities (often promoted by the manufacturer in ads or packaging) are also important for FPV drones, as it allows the user to perform tricks and zip around obstacles.
Battery life is another important factor. The best drones boast a battery endurance of up to 45 minutes, while FPV drones like the Avata 2 can only fly for about half that time as they tend to be heavier and carry smaller batteries to reduce weight. As a general rule, a single battery isn’t enough for any serious shooting so you’d do well to buy your drone in a kit with a few batteries and a charger.
As for range, DJI tends to dominate in this area, with its latest models able to maintain a video signal at a distance up to 20km (12.4 miles). HoverAir’s models are weaker with the top-end X1 Max model limited to just 1km (0.6 miles) when using the optional beacon system. DJI also offers multiple ways to control its drones including headsets, joystick-type controllers, motion detection controllers and smartphones.
The best drones have sensors to detect obstacles in all directions. Others are limited to only avoiding obstructions coming at them from the front and some only rely on the main camera to prevent crashes. Finally, if you want to have your drone follow you around automatically, you’ll need it to be able to track you around when you’re vlogging, riding a bike or skiing, while also avoiding obstacles. Smooth takeoff and return-to-home features are especially valuable here for both beginners and experienced drone pilots as well.
Best drone FAQs
What are the rules for owning a drone?
Anyone can buy any drone, but once purchased, all drones between 250g and 25 kg must be registered with the FAA and marked with the FAA registration number. Recreational pilots with drones over 249g must pass the recreational UAS safety “TRUST” exam and carry proof of TRUST completion when flying a drone. Commercial pilots must obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA. You must be aware of and avoid any areas with airspace restrictions, particularly around airports.
Are drones safe to fly in the city?
In general, it is not legal to fly a drone within city limits over populations, as a crash from a high altitude could injure or kill someone. However, they can be flown over adjacent, non-populated areas in many cases. Here is a guide to where: https://uavcoach.com/where-to-fly-drone/
What is the average flight time of a drone?
Most drones can fly for around 20-30 minutes, though some advanced models like DJI’s Mavic 4 can fly up to 40 minutes or more.
Meta may be interested in more than Google and OpenAI’s employees when it comes to artificial intelligence. According to The Information, Meta is considering using its competitors’ models to improve its own apps’ AI features. The report said that leaders at the Meta Superintelligence Lab have looked at integrating Google Gemini into its Meta AI chatbot to help it provide a conversational, text-based solution to its users’ search questions.
Not only with Google Gemini, Meta has also had discussions about using OpenAI’s models to power Meta AI and the AI features found in its apps, according to the report. A Meta spokesperson said in a statement that the company is taking an “all-of-the-above approach to building the best AI products,” which includes partnering with companies, along with building its own AI models. According to the report, using external AI models will be a temporary measure to help Meta improve its own Llama AI models so that it can remain competitive in the market.
Meta employees already have access to Anthropic’s AI models that help power the company’s internal coding assistant, according to The Information. Meanwhile, Meta has been offering lucrative compensation packages as part of its attempts to recruit AI researchers from Google and OpenAI to form its Superintelligence Lab.
Looking back on her initial resistance to creating clothes for women, former menswear designer Colleen Allen laughs. When she was working at The Row, she says, “they asked me to design women’s, and I was like, ‘No, I don’t want to do that!’ I was very rigid. I felt like everything had been said in women’s and there was more to say in men’s. But, eventually, there was an itch at the back of my brain. I realized that there were ideas I wanted to explore.”
Those ideas—identity, spirituality, community—culminated in February in the 28-year-old designer’s New York Fashion Week debut, an imaginatively conceived, tenderly executed exploration of femininity anchored by that often maligned archetype: the witch. It was while she was researching how witches have been portrayed over the centuries, she says, that “something clicked for me.”
Models (from left) MJ Herrera, Ayak Veronica, Serena Wilson, Sylke Golding, and JoAni Johnson wear Colleen Allen clothing and accessories.
Allen, who is now based in Brooklyn, grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. Her grandmother, a quilter, taught her to sew, and weekend classes in illustration and clothing construction—one instructor was Shane Gabier, of Creatures of the Wind—gave her the foundation to seriously pursue becoming a fashion designer. She arrived at Parsons School of Design in 2014 but headed to Central Saint Martins, in London, for what was supposed to be a junior year abroad. She liked it so much that she persuaded the administration to let her stay on. Allen credits the combination of the two schools’ approaches—rigorous technical training at Parsons, and a studio-based format that stresses research and collaboration at Saint Martins—with giving her a solid footing in both design and production.
Three years at The Row further honed these skills. Once she started pondering womenswear, she quit, took on a few freelance design gigs, and began the process of turning her mental catalog of images and thoughts into a coherent statement. An online lecture by the art historian Susan Aberth led her to the tarot deck of the Surrealist artist Leonora Carrington, an English beauty who, in 1937, horrified her straitlaced family by running away to France with the painter and sculptor Max Ernst, who was not only married but also 26 years her elder. Brightly colored and shining with silver and gold leaf, Carrington’s cards, first created in 1955, depict feminine energy that is fecund and irrepressible: Her Empress is Medusa-haired and pregnant; her Hanged Man and the Devil have androgynous features. Carrington based her imagery in part on the practice of witchcraft in Mexico, where she spent most of her life, and on the 19th-century secret society Golden Dawn Order, from which Wicca takes inspiration.
Ayak Veronica wears a Colleen Allen dress and cap.
Allen’s interpretation of the witch is less esoteric and more immediately relevant: a woman who is independent and self-empowered. This translates into clothes that reject the bourgeois stereotypes that have bedeviled fashion recently. There are ruffled pantalettes, which sound jokey but aren’t. The collection’s standout piece is a lightly fitted jacket that resembles an intricately seamed Victorian bodice. It fastens with silver hooks and eyes, a nod to a designer whose work Allen admires: Claire McCardell, who loved the subversive appeal of visible hardware. The ruffled shorts are in cotton, while the jacket is made from polar fleece, a fabric that the forward-looking McCardell, who died in 1958, would surely have embraced. The latter piece was inspired by the garb of storybook witches—call it Salem chic—and by a trip to the Scottish Highlands, where Allen was struck by the disparity between the ancient, epic grandeur of the landscape and her 21st-century hiking gear. Wear the jacket and shorts together, and you have a renegade suit that is both practical and distinctive—and, as Allen puts it, gives you “a warm feeling, like there’s a ritualistic presence as you’re walking around doing your everyday thing.”
Less specifically witchy are an orange velvet cape that falls in deep folds from the shoulder and a magenta wrap-and-tie wool jersey top that swaddles the torso. Both, however, are linked to Allen’s interest in religious rites. Orange is associated with spiritual awareness; think of the robes of Buddhist and Hindu monks. Allen conceived of the top after observing young mothers with their babies bundled tightly against them at a Shinto shrine in Japan. “Being held that way, in a spiritual place, was really powerful,” she says. “Plus, I like having a more personal relationship with your clothes than just when you put something on.”
Ayak Veronica and Golding wear Colleen Allen clothing and accessories.
But it’s the character of the witch that animates this collection, and Allen feels that it’s time to celebrate her power. In Jungian psychology, the witch represents the shadow self, the appetites and instincts that we prefer not to acknowledge: rage, sadness, greed, loneliness. It’s a big concept—but, at its best, fashion takes inarticulate ideas and gives them physical expression. “What you put on has transformative power,” Allen says. “I wanted to access that version of myself—the witch—embody it, and then create that space for other women.” For a designer who once thought she had nothing to say about womenswear, it’s the start of a provocative conversation.
Hair by Junya Nakashima for Oribe at Streeters; Makeup by Marco Castro AMAZONICOIL at Born Artists; Models: Ayak Veronica at New York Models, JoAni Johnson at The 11:14 Agency, MJ Herrera at One Management, Serena Wilson at The Society Management, Sylke Golding at Muse Model Management; Casting by DM Casting; Casting Assistants: Brandon Contreras, Evagria Sergeeva; Produced by Photobomb Productions; Senior Creative Producer: Kevin Warner; Project Manager: Nick Lambrakis; Photo Assistants: Mark Jayson Quines, Ashley McLean; Fashion Assistant: Celeste Roh; Hair Assistants: Christine Moore, Vincent Tobias; Makeup Assistants: Shoko Kodama, Arias Roybal; Tailor: Lindsay Wright; Special Thanks to NYC Park Isham Park & Bruce’s Garden.
Giorgio Armani cape; Gina Couture shoes (throughout); stylist’s own briefs.
Lùchen gown.
Yuhan Wang top; Philip Treacy Archive hat; stylist’s own briefs.
ChenPeng dress; custom head wrap styled by hairstylist Mustafa Yanaz.
Balenciaga coat and top.
Fila hooded sweatshirt.
Supriya Lele top and skirt; Emily-London headpiece.
Prada cardigan and skirt.
Feben – Supported by Dolce & Gabbana coat.
Andreādamo jacket and skirt.
Bottega Veneta coat and earrings.
Sheila Bawar wears a Supriya Lele dress; stylist’s own briefs.
Hair by Mustafa Yanaz for Dyson at Art+Commerce; makeup by Lucy Bridge at Streeters; manicure by Lauren Michelle Pires for CND at Future Rep. Model: Sheila Bawar at Ford Models. Casting by Piergiorgio Del Moro and Samuel Ellis Scheinman at DM Casting. Set design by Ibby Njoya at New School.
Produced by Ragi Dholakia Productions; Executive Producer: Ragi Dholakia; Producer: Claire Huish; Fashion assistants: Julia Veitch, Ben Spelman; Production assistants: Libby Adams, Szilard Orban, Tom Beck, Oli Stockwell; Hair assistants: Krisztian Szalay, Tommy Stayton; Makeup assistants: Kyle Dominic, Jana Reininger, Esme Horn, Jemma Whittaker; Manicure assistant: Megan Cummings; Set assistants: Axel Drury, Toby Broughton; Tailor: Alison O’Brien.
Kaia Gerber knew when she followed in mom Cindy Crawfordâs footsteps and started modeling sheâd have some big shoes to fill. It wasnât until last year, however, that she really understood how massive those designer stilettos were.
In an interview with WSJ. Magazine, published Tuesday, Gerber revealed that watching the 2023 Apple TV+ series The Super Models, which chronicled the histories of Crawford and fellow âsupersâ Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, and Linda Evangelista, opened her eyes to what a trailblazer her mother was in the industry sheâs now a part of herself.
âI was starstruck in front of her after,â she said. âI was like, âI didnât realize. I knew you were iconic, butâ¦.â I didnât understand when I was younger.â
While Gerber has been modeling since she was a child (and has now added acting and book club curation to her resume), she said that she was impressed by her motherâs success âcoming from a very different background than I did.â
âI thought it was so cool that she always had that ambition, and she did things where people told her, âThis will ruin your career. Donât do this,ââ Gerber said. âAnd she trusted her instincts.â
With her supermodel mother and her father, Rande Gerber, who co-founded the Casamigos tequila line with George Clooney, Gerber knows sheâs a nepo baby and is thankful for it.
âI donât think itâs a topic that will go away, so Iâve clearly reached a point of acceptance,â she told the magazine. âI personally am very aware of all the wonderful things it has done for me, and I would never, ever say anything negative about it, because that is my truth about it.â
Plus, while parents typically love giving their kids advice on dealing with school, friends, romance, whatever, 22-year-old Gerber is in a position to get expert-level tips from people at the top of her industryâwho just so happen to have raised her.
âI can actually ask my parents advice on career things, on business things,â she says. âThatâs very rare, to have parents who are in the same industry or career as you, whose advice you actually can trust.â
Let’s get one thing clear: The fashion industry’s relationship to marginalized communities has always been fraught. It doesn’t take an expert eye to see the length of history sidelining and often straight-up excluding many identities that don’t fit into a stringent box of thin, cisgender, heterosexual, and white. The charge for more representation—be it for radical size inclusivity or commitments to racial diversity—has largely left out Native Americans despite the often misappropriated influence their rituals and traditions have had on fashion and beauty.
Representation may seem like a surface-level answer to some, but to these three Native American models, it’s not just important—it’s everything. “I have people message me constantly,” shared Valentine Alvarez. “I can actively see myself changing the industry.”
One sentiment each model echoed was the passionate backing of their identities and unwillingness to bend to the industry’s will. Nonconformity seemed to be a theme among our conversations with these three budding stars, and while models may not dictate things like casting or sizing, the impact that their visibility has on the rest of the world is something that can’t be measured.
With November marking Native American Heritage Month, we sat down with rising runway talents Alvarez, Celeste Romero, and Kita Updike, whose presence alone marks a significant shift in the industry. Ahead, read our discussion on Indigenous identity, why representation matters, and the moments they consider to be their “big breaks” (so far).
Indigenous affiliation: They grew up in Tongva territory in Southern California.
Why is your Native American identity important to you? What is your favorite part about being a part of this community?
Owning who I am through and through is very important to me. Every identity attached to me is important to me because that quality in me is a connection to someone else. It’s important to me to leave an impact on people, big or small. A great thing about connecting to my identity is the feeling of togetherness it brings, the way people who share a community with you will gravitate toward you and bring you up.
What kind of influence (if any) do you feel your identity has on your work as a model? Why is representation in the industry important to you?
I have people message me constantly about how seeing my face somewhere random inspired them to pursue modeling. I can actively see myself changing the industry. I remember being young and flipping through magazines, and the one thing that always stuck out to me was that no one looked like me. Nobody had a nose like mine or my skin tone. Nobody had piercings or tattoos, let alone traditional tattoos. Now, we have people like Quannah inspiring Native people all over the world by being the first. It’s important to feel like you are a part of this world. It’s hard to feel that way when you don’t see yourself anywhere, and I’m glad that I can be a part of this amazing group of people who represent their place in this world.
How long have you been modeling, and how did you get into it? How has your experience been?
I have been modeling for a little bit over a year. I actually was given a lot of help starting. A friend of mine casted me for an Instagram ad, and the photographer was really encouraging. Afterward, my friend took my digitals and helped me submit my pictures to agencies. My mother agency reached out to me very shortly after, but I was sucked into the coffee-shop grind and ignored them for almost a year. In June 2022, I had my very first job (with one test shoot in my book) and debuted with Marc Jacobs. It’s been a wild ride!
What have been some of your career highlights so far? Can you point to any moment as your “big break?”
I think my biggest highlight was quitting my coffee-shop job, calling a congressperson to get a passport in two days, and flying to Paris all in the same week. It really felt like that was my big break at the time—walking for Chloé and Valentino in Paris—but I think it was really this last season. I think this is so surreal to me that I never think it’ll get better than this.
What kind of impact do you hope your work has on the industry?
I really hope that queer, Latinx, and Indigenous people see themselves in me. I hope that I am opening doors for people or at least letting them know that these doors can open for us too. I hope that people with face piercings and big scars and visible tattoos can see me and know that they can be there too. They can work for Fenty. They can walk for fashion shows in Paris. Things that they think are impossible for them are possible.
Describe your personal style. What are several pieces that define your wardrobe right now? Any favorite brands or designers you love to wear?
I like to describe my personal style as “goth librarian.” I wear a lot of long cardigans, especially a long black cardigan that’s very similar to the one I wore for in the Gabriela Hearst F/W 22 show. I think it’s partly why Camila chose to style me in that look. It’s definitely my staple piece. I also love a good sneaker, like my white Converse. They have a little platform on them, and I don’t wear a shoe if it doesn’t have a platform.
Indigenous affiliation:While I do not claim to be affiliated with any Indigenous group, I am Mexican American, and my ancestors are Yaqui from Sonora, Mexico.
Why is your Indigenous heritage meaningful to you?
I grew up in Southern California. I love to know where my family comes from and the lives that they lived to get me where I am today. It’s a huge community that growing up I didn’t ever see good representation of, but I’m happy things are changing.
What kind of influence (if any) do you feel your identity has on your work as a model? Why is representation in the industry important to you?
My first cover with Vogue México was released this past year, and they published an image of my side profile. Growing up, I was insecure about my nose because of bullying, and I never saw anyone on billboards or on covers that looked like me. Through modeling, I have grown to love and appreciate my features. I am proud to be an inspiration for young people to pursue modeling.
What have been some of your career highlights so far? Can you point to any moment as your “big break?”
My favorite highlights are getting to set and knowing pretty much everyone’s name. There is something so comforting to me about going in with a team I know and love. I feel like this whole experience is a big break for me at this point. I’ve had so many jobs where I, to this day, can’t comprehend I did. One of my favorite jobs was the Chloé campaign I shot, though, because I’ve never driven through the States like that, and to see all the beautiful landscapes was absolutely a dream.
What kind of impact do you hope your work has on the industry?
I hope my impact is toward young people who look like me. [I hope they] see themselves when they see pictures or videos of me and know that they can be a model, actor, or anything in the public eye as well.
Describe your personal style. What are several pieces that define your wardrobe right now? Any favorite brands or designers you love to wear?
In my day-to-day style, I like to wear men’s clothes. I have a plain black T-shirt for every day of the week and usually style outfits around that, but if I’m being honest, I usually just pair it with some black jeans. My favorite thing that I would say I go a little more adventurous with is my shoes. I have lots of boots, Vans, Converse, Jordans, and Nikes.
Indigenous affiliation: I am Chippewa, and I grew up in Northern Indiana.
Why is your Native American identity important to you? What is your favorite part about being a part of this community?
My identity was originally important because it was a connection to my biological father’s family. As I grow more in tune with my identity, I realize how important it is to be present as an Afro-Indigenous person. It can’t feel that we are looked over in our communities because we also have Black heritage. For a long time, that fact actually scared me from surrounding myself with other Native people.
What kind of influence (if any) do you feel your identity has on your work as a model? Why is representation in the industry important to you?
I’ve felt many times people discount my Native blood because my skin is darker, or I have some different features as a mixed person. In this industry, there is often a practice of tokenizing groups of people, whether purposely or not. Because of this, they look for what they identify as “looking Native” and want to use that in their work. I would like this stigma to be broken.
How long have you been modeling, and how did you get into it? How has your experience been?
I’ve been modeling full-time for about three years. I was always interested in the idea because I find clothing so deeply personal and transformational. I was then lucky to meet my mother agent and close friend Nicholas Policarpo of Clover Model Management. I also had help from Greg Chan before that, who was always pushing me forward.
What have been some of your career highlights so far? Can you point to any moment as your “big break?”
Without a doubt, one of the Vogue Italia 100th anniversary covers. It may seem silly, but a lot of the other girls I’ve met while working have been a very big highlight. I’ve always had some anxiety with meeting and making friends. The difficulties and rewards of this career quickly bring us close with ease.
Describe your personal style. What are several pieces that define your wardrobe right now? Any favorite brands or designers you love to wear?
I don’t have a specific style. I might gravitate toward some items, but I can feel excited about anything that achieves the vision of that moment. I don’t have specific designers/brands, but there are shows or collections that have inspired me:
Versace S/S 04: The clothes, the hair, the music, and the walks.
Fendi Couture F/W 16: Location, cascading waves, and living dolls.
Fendi F/W 20: Coats, plus serpentine runway salon and “cinnamon roll” hair.
Dior Couture S/S 07: Theatrical art, perfection, and perhaps the best show of all time.
Dior collections of the late ’40s to ’50s: Corsets, gowns, tailoring, and attention to detail.
This post was originally published at an earlier date. Since our support for the Native American community is forever, we thought we’d update this story and any sold-out products to make it easier to support the cause.
Even with the strides the industry has taken to address the underlying biases that inform casting, it’s still falling short. According to analysis and research conducted by Vogue Business, only 0.9% of 9584 runway looks in New York, Paris, Milan, and London shown during the spring 2024 season were plus-size. Approximately 86 looks were above a size 14. While fashion’s inclusivity problem appears to have gotten slightly better since last season, with only 0.6% plus-size looks during the fall 2023 season, it’s actually a lot worse than it appears. Alexander McQueen, arguably one of the biggest brands featured in the outlet’s report, was listed as the most plus-size-inclusive show in Paris with 2.2% percent of looks being shown above a size 14. That translates to just one model.
“There were some encouraging, baby steps from major labels we had not seen before. That accounts for some of the increase, at least,” Lucy Maguire, the senior trends editor who has spearheaded both editions of the project, explained to Who What Wear. Since the team began to track the data earlier this year, more and more eyes have been on which models get to be the face of the body-positive movement in fashion.
Maguire explained that throughout fashion month, she and her team analyze every single photo per city, according to Vogue Runway, and determine how many looks in a collection are straight-size (0 to 4), mid-size (6 to 12), and plus-size (14+)—which is confirmed with brands within a 24-hour period. She admitted smaller brands were most responsive throughout the project, a note Maguire attributes to the fact that they’re often the ones pushing for the most diversity within traditional runway spaces. In newer fashion capitals like Copenhagen, both designers and governing fashion bodies have set size inclusivity as a top priority, going so far as to require participating brands to take steps toward diverse casting. During her reporting, Maguire reached out to the organizations that set the standards and regulate fashion shows—including the Council of Fashion Designers of America and Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, which lead New York Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week, respectively. Both declined to comment on whether or not they would take measurable, quantifiable steps in a similar way. Until they sign on, Maguire believes, not much is going to change systematically.
Gessel was one of the 86 models touched upon in the Vogue Business report, with the 25-year-old walking in the most size-inclusive show of the season by far, Karoline Vitto supported by Dolce & Gabbana, in which 43.3% of 30 models were considered plus-size—or, approximately 13 models were above a size 14.
“I was stunned. I was shocked, but at the same time, I wasn’t. These numbers make sense: My [other plus-size model] friends didn’t book anything,” Gessel said, referencing the report. “It doesn’t feel fair. It doesn’t feel right. There are some brands that got notoriety for including plus girls—real plus girls—into their shows. And then they got clout. And then they stopped.”
If there’s one thing you can expect from Julia Fox, it’s a boundary-pushing outfit you most likely won’t see on anyone else (think of her condom-adorned tube top and vinyl boots). And when it comes to swimwear, her collection of thongkinis is just as bold. Having worked with her stylist of almost 15 years, Briana Andalore, the 33-year-old “Uncut Gems” star sources coords that may belong on the beach, but qualify as her own personal street style essentials.
For a recent swimwear moment, she casually graced Instagram with enticing behind-the-scenes visuals to promote her new memoir, “Down the Drain,” which was released in October. Fox was sporting an all-black matrix ensemble by Gryphyn featuring a tiny latex bra and the most snug thong bottom that showcased her toned abs and tattoos. She paired the cleavage-baring two-piece with a PVC cropped jacket with extreme cutouts along the arms. She finished things off with smoky, metallic makeup by Julian Stoller and her brown strands styled in damp waves by Erol Karadağ.
If there’s one thing you can expect from Julia Fox, it’s a boundary-pushing outfit you most likely won’t see on anyone else (think of her condom-adorned tube top and vinyl boots). And when it comes to swimwear, her collection of thongkinis is just as bold. Having worked with her stylist of almost 15 years, Briana Andalore, the 33-year-old “Uncut Gems” star sources coords that may belong on the beach, but qualify as her own personal street style essentials.
For a recent swimwear moment, she casually graced Instagram with enticing behind-the-scenes visuals to promote her new memoir, “Down the Drain,” which was released in October. Fox was sporting an all-black matrix ensemble by Gryphyn featuring a tiny latex bra and the most snug thong bottom that showcased her toned abs and tattoos. She paired the cleavage-baring two-piece with a PVC cropped jacket with extreme cutouts along the arms. She finished things off with smoky, metallic makeup by Julian Stoller and her brown strands styled in damp waves by Erol Karadağ.
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Emily Ratajkowski’s style feels sexier than ever as she steps out in New York City to run errands. For a meal at renowned restaurant Eleven Madison Park on Oct. 19, the 32-year-old model brought back a look that was popular in the 2010s. Lampshading, otherwise known as wearing an oversize top with tall boots or heels, was a go-to combination for much of Hollywood, from Zendaya and Ariana Grande to the Kardashian-Jenners.
Ratajkowski’s red Loewe sweater-turned-minidress retails at $3,400 and was shown on the fall 2023 runway with a pair of Chelsea ankle boots. She worked with her stylist Emma Jade Morrison to source a pair of the brand’s knee-high boots, a shoulder bag from The Row, gold hoops, a coordinating bangle, and Pepper Eyewear cat-eye sunglasses as her simple accessories. As she walked and her plunging neckline slipped to the side, you could make out a red bra strap, which accented the sweater as her pièce de résistance.
It’s a look I might have worn with tall UGG boots and my Dooney & Bourke wristlet to the movies with friends in the 2010s. But on Ratajkowski, the leggy moment displays confidence and serious attitude as she struts her bare legs through the windy streets right on the cusp of winter. Today, the no-pants trend is decidedly more extreme, with most stars tapping into the look in briefs worn over tights with a pair of pumps. However, Ratajkowski daring to turn an old trend into a sexy series of snaps for the paparazzi makes her effortless outfit even more notable than the rest. No pants in cold weather would hardly be a passing thought for most, after all.
Taylor Swift recently made a statement like Ratajkowski’s in a roomy Stella McCartney polo hitting mid-thigh and Prada boots, although her hemline was less structured and fell closer to the knee. Swift’s ensemble also felt more reflective of the 2010s, proving a no-pants outfit can be whatever you want it to be. Meanwhile, Ratajkowski has been pushing the envelope with other risqué pieces, such as her Sandy Liang underboob-baring bralette and her ab-cutout Jean Paul Gaultier halter dress at the 2023 MTV VMAs.
Ahead, see more angles of her wearing the Loewe sweater in New York City, then shop the exact design, or a more affordable piece to re-create the look from Old Navy, Amazon, or Nordstrom.
After rising to fame as a model and former actor, starring in music videos such as Maroon 5’s “Love Somebody” and Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines,” Emily Ratajkowski has maintained her status in the fashion world as a risk-taker and trendsetter. The 32-year-old Hollywood star, who also goes by EmRata, started her own label, Inamorata, in 2017, paving the way for the rise of the sexy, feel-good thongkini. She explored her own sexuality and power through her 2021 novel, “My Body.” And she’s now the host of a podcast, “High Low With EmRata.”
Ratajkowski has been extremely vocal about her personal take on feminism in the context of fashion, telling Allure, “To me, any expression that is empowered and is your own as a woman is feminist. If a woman decides to dress sexy, it doesn’t mean she’s not a feminist. [We] should be doing things for ourselves. If that is the woman’s choice, and it makes her feel good, then that’s great. Good for her.”
She works with stylist Emma Jade Morrison on both her red carpet outfits and street style wardrobe, showing slips of skin whenever she can, whether it’s by partaking in a leggy moment, trying out a dangerously low neckline, baring a flash of underboob, or working an eye-catching cutout. One subtler item you’ll rarely see her without? The push present she bought for herself — a nameplate necklace that spells out her son’s name, Sylvester. “It is sort of my lucky charm. I feel really naked if I don’t travel with it or don’t, kind of, have it on,” she told Vogue of the special memento.
Ahead, look back on some of Ratajkowski’s most style-defining outfits through the years.
Models like Hailey Bieber, Gigi Hadid, Andreja Pejic, and Marquita Pring are known for going all out with their Halloween costumes. For these spooky-season moments, they’ll work with stylists, who usually dress them for the red carpet or street style outings in between shows at Fashion Week. That collaborative process enables them to take the most mundane characters and costumes — like a standard vampire or schoolgirl — to the next level, adding unique twists to personalize their looks.
Most of the time, this party crowd attends multiple Halloween parties in one weekend, offering double or triple the inspiration for DIYing a costume at home. And they use their fashion connections to elevate their costumes, whether they collaborate with a latex designer or borrow intricately crafted accessories to bring their looks to life.
From Martha Hunt’s ’90s pop culture moment as Angelina Jolie’s Lisa from “Girl, Interrupted” to Taylor Hill’s grandpa look, complete with corduroys and an argyle sweater, there are even a lot of outfits here you can put together with pieces you’ve already got in your closet. And for the rest — consider Kendall Jenner’s cotton-candy-pink fembot or Gigi’s Sandy from “Grease,” for example — you’ll just have to get creative with glam beauty to overemphasize your intended statement.
Ahead, find 22 examples of supermodels who consistently achieve a well-thought-out Halloween costume year after year, then check out these slightly more appropriate costumes for the office or warm Halloween costumes, if you’re outdoors.
Justin and Hailey Bieber have always been a fashionable couple, but you can’t deny they have pretty distinct styles. Hailey is known for her modern, flirty takes on today’s biggest trends, from naked dresses to micro miniskirts to thongkinis. Justin takes a more casual approach to fashion, favoring streetwear, graphic T-shirts, sweats, and the occasional Crocs. With two very different fashion philosophies, Hailey and Justin’s styles inspire a ton of opinions from fans and critics alike.
While some might see the combination as mismatched — and many do, if social media is any indication — Hailey is totally comfortable walking beside her sartorial opposite. “It’s so funny because I see so many people talk about this,” she told GQ Hype. “He may want to wear baggy sweats to dinner, and I might want to wear a tiny little dress just because that’s how I’m feeling.” She added: “We can’t sit there and be like, ‘So I’m going to wear this and you’re going to wear this.'”
While today’s celebrity couples embrace matching or complementary outfits, it’s refreshing to see the Biebers do style their own unique way. Have a look back at all the times the duo provided us with one-of-a-kind outfit inspiration ahead.
Justin and Hailey Bieber have always been a fashionable couple, but you can’t deny they have pretty distinct styles. Hailey is known for her modern, flirty takes on today’s biggest trends, from naked dresses to micro miniskirts to thongkinis. Justin takes a more casual approach to fashion, favoring streetwear, graphic T-shirts, sweats, and the occasional Crocs. With two very different fashion philosophies, Hailey and Justin’s styles inspire a ton of opinions from fans and critics alike.
While some might see the combination as mismatched – and many do, if social media is any indication – Hailey is totally comfortable walking beside her sartorial opposite. “It’s so funny because I see so many people talk about this,” she told GQ Hype. “He may want to wear baggy sweats to dinner, and I might want to wear a tiny little dress just because that’s how I’m feeling.” She added: “We can’t sit there and be like, ‘So I’m going to wear this and you’re going to wear this.’”
While today’s celebrity couples embrace matching or complementary outfits, it’s refreshing to see the Biebers do style their own unique way. Have a look back at all the times the duo provided us with one-of-a-kind outfit inspiration ahead.
Hailey Bieber and Justin Bieber in New York City, August 2023
Hailey wowed in a red-hot minidress with matching accessories, while Justin went the laid-back and cool route in sweat shorts, a hoodie, and his favorite yellow Crocs.
Getty / MEGA
Hailey Bieber and Justin Bieber in New York City, July 2023
Justin was all about an effortless look with a hoodie and loose-fitting jeans, while Hailey dressed up in a printed minidress, sunglasses, and strappy sandals.
Getty / Robert Kamau
Hailey Bieber and Justin Bieber in New York City, June 2023
In a gorgeous pink slip dress and ballet flats, Hailey commanded the spotlight, while Justin went incognito in a black oversize T-shirt, a backwards cap, and baggy jeans.
Backgrid / CAMA, STBR, VAEM, SPNW
Hailey Bieber and Justin Bieber in Miami, July 2018
Though both Hailey and Justin wore tropical short sets, they each remained true to their personal style. Hailey wore a trendy, fitted Off-White set with Yeezy trainers and an Off-White x Louis Vuitton backpack, while Justin opted for an oversize Kith ensemble.
Getty / Alessio Botticelli
Hailey Bieber and Justin Bieber in New York City, July 2018
The duo showed off their endless supply of cool sneakers while styling them with a unique twist. Hailey’s fitted bra top and bike shorts were a nice contrast to Justin’s baggy hoodie and sweatpants.
Backgrid / LIKE
Hailey Bieber and Justin Bieber in New York City, June 2018
While Hailey did dip into oversize territory with her jacket and T-shirt, her look was decidedly more structured than Justin’s baggy Tommy Hilfiger hoodie.
Getty / Gotham
Hailey Bieber and Justin Bieber in New York City, July 2018
While Justin kept it low-key in a logo shirt, Hailey took her logomania to the next level by wearing a flashy Versace denim outfit.
Backgrid / VAEM, CAMA, STBR
Hailey Bieber and Justin Bieber in Miami, June 2018
Hailey and Justin pulled off matching sweatpants in style, though Hailey went for a denim jacket to add a touch more polish.
Backgrid / CAMA, STBR, VAEM
Hailey Bieber and Justin Bieber in Miami, June 2018
Justin opted for sporty joggers, while Hailey showed off her abs in a blue bikini top and distressed GRLFRND denim shorts.
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