French fashion house Louis Vuitton has recruited 16-year-old Zimbabwean model Nyasga Matonholdze as a fresh, new face of the brand, reports Female First.
The teen will also strut the catwalk alongside Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell at Paris Fashion Week later this year.
As well as her appearance in the LV fashion show, Matonholdze will feature in the label’s fall-winter 2011 campaign, photographed by Steven Meisel. She follows in the footsteps of previous brand ambassadors Scarlett Johansson and Madonna.
Born in Zimbabwe, Matonholdze relocated to the U.K. when she was eight. Two years ago, when Matonholdze was only 14, her parents brought her to the Elite Models agency to see if she had a career in modeling.
"I went into this career thinking I could be a model, but I never thought I’d actually become one," she told New Zimbabwe.
Since then, the teen has modeled for designers Emanuel Ungaro and Loewe and appeared in spreads for Harper’s Bazaar, V magazine and Teen Vogue. Despite the success, Matonholdze says that she still has trouble believing it sometimes.
"I find it difficult to see myself and think that I’m a model," she said.
"I feel blessed and honored to keep getting that next step in my career. I’ve met amazing people that keep supporting me and pushing me further and further. It’s like a dream, no matter how good I do, it’s still so surreal for me."