by MIKE CHAIKEN
CTFashionMag.com
With New York Fashion Week zipping into focus for the September shows next week, young model Riley Doyle is prepping to continue her journey into the world of fashion. It’s a journey that began in earnest last February.
The Connecticut honor roll student, 12, will be walking for House of Barretti, Mila Hoffman, Christina Weeks and Willow Bean Studios in the Big Apple next week.
For the House of Barretti show, Riley will be making her third appearance with the brand. She walked for the Rhode Island-based collection in February. In August, she walked for the design house again at Hamptons Fashion Week.
Runway modeling in February and August for House of Barretti was exciting, said Riley.
Riley, who already established herself as a basketball player in the AAU universe, said her modeling aspirations were launched in December when she had her first photo shoot. The 5’4” student said the experience was easier than she expected. And she found the opportunity to be in front of the camera exciting. (She’s due to have another shoot in the city during NYFW modeling kayzie couture swimsuits in Central Park with celebrity photographer Amber Snow.)
Besides the opportunity to walk the runway and standing in front of the camera, Riley said she likes modeling because she gets to meet new people.
Riley also has begun her journey to become a social influencer like her modeling hero Kendall Jenner and Connecticut’s own Charli D’Amelio. Right now, she said she’s been perfecting her TikTok dances for the social media universe and entertaining her viewers as she plays guitar and sings. (Her favorite singers at Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo.) She also offers up some behind-the-scenes of her life as an aspiring model.
Eventually, she wants to highlight brand and products.
In the long run, Riley wants to study fashion—hopefully at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City—with the end of goal of launching her own line.
Riley Doyle is seen here in modeling action in North Haven.
PHOTOS by MIKE CHAIKEN. Hair and makeup by Jesenia Romano.
