Vanessa Bryant couldn’t assist however rave about daughter Natalia Bryant‘s debut as a runway mannequin throughout Milan Trend Week on Friday, September 22.
“Natalia, I’m so pleased with you! You probably did it mama!!!!” Vanessa, 41, wrote through Instagram. “I like you a lot and I’m so completely satisfied for you @nataliabryant ! Bellísima! 😘 Versace! ❤️.”
Natalia, 20, walked within the Versace Womenswear Spring/Summer season 2024 present alongside the likes of Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner. Hours later, she walked within the Boss Womenswear Spring/Summer season 2024 style present.
“Nonetheless appears like a dream. I’m past honored and grateful,” Natalia shared through Instagram after the exhibits. “This was such an unimaginable expertise, I had the very best time and felt a lot love and help all through all of it. ♥️.”
The school junior (she attends the College of Southern California) signed with IMG Fashions in February 2021. She advised Vogue on Friday that whereas nervous about her runway debut, she was calmer after assembly with designer Donatella Versace.
“She was simply so welcoming and candy and made me really feel so comfy, particularly with it being my first runway,” Bryant stated. “Assembly her undoubtedly helped settle any nerves.”
She added that she takes recommendation from Vanessa in terms of the right catwalk. “I’ve at all times cherished watching movies of Naomi [Campbell] strolling down the runway together with movies of different iconic supermodels I look as much as,” Natalia advised Vogue. “My mother says, ‘Stroll like Naomi however keep in mind to be your self, put your individual fashion to your stroll and at all times together with your head held excessive.’”
Natalia is the eldest of Vanessa’s kids with the late Kobe Bryant, who died at age 41 in a 2020 helicopter crash alongside 13-year-old daughter Gianna. Natalia’s youthful sisters are Bianka, 6, and Capri, 4.
The mannequin honors the late NBA star’s reminiscence in some ways, together with two necklaces that she usually put on.
“This can be a necklace that claims ‘Slim.’ It was my nickname rising up,” she defined in a video for Vogue’s Magnificence Secrets and techniques sequence in December 2022. “I used to be simply so eensy-teensy. All my jerseys stated ‘Slim’ — I didn’t develop into the jerseys till I used to be older, so my dad at all times referred to as me ‘Slim.’”
Natalia additionally confirmed off a second necklace with a gold medallion honoring the Bryant household’s Mamba and Mambacita Basis. The group works to offer funding for underserved athletes in honor of Kobe and Gianna Bryant. “I really put on this medallion with me on a regular basis,” she shared. “[The engraving] says ‘Dedication makes goals come true.”