Mathilda Gvarliani is living her dream. From the mountains of her home country, Georgia, to the runways of Paris, she has already achieved so much at just 20 years old with a truly global career as one of fashion’s most sought-after models. Her journey to date has seen her grace the cover of Vogue twice and lead Chanel’s latest campaign for its Chance fragrance. Gvarliani, who hails from Tbilisi, has also won the attention of fashion’s most prominent brands, including Dior, Gucci, Isabel Marant and Louis Vuitton, for all of whom she has recently walked for their Autumn Winter 2024 collections. Today, she is ranked on Models.com’s prestigious Top 50 Models list for 2024.
Photographed in Georgia by Matt Easton. Fashion Editor Ashley Conor.
Beauty by Lana Matakheria using Lanka Makeup. Beauty assistant Nana Pachuashvili.
Photographer assistant Harry Burner. Stylist assistant Ania Egan.
Mathilda appears courtesy of NEXT Models. Words by Madeline Anderson.
The young model’s meteoric rise to prominence began at a time when many others were still in search of their purpose. Even at the tender age of 12, Gvarliani was already certain of her path, and it is a career that began with self-assurance as she first stepped into a model agency and declared her intentions. “I walked into the agency and said, ‘Hi guys, I want to be a model’,” Gvarliani tells 5ELEVEN. At the time, Look Models Management asked her to come back when she was older. She returned undeterred two years later at the age of 14, and the rest is fashion history.
Despite her steadfast determination and clear vision, Gvarliani’s journey to her dreams was not without struggle, particularly in her early years. “I started travelling solo at the age of 15, which was very difficult because I had to learn how to act like an adult at such a young age,” she says. “I had to act like an adult, work like an adult, and be surrounded by adults all the time. But [looking] back, I wouldn’t change a thing because those experiences made me into who I am today.” Her family acted as a pillar of support throughout the beginning of her career, and allowed her to chase her ambitions with confidence. “My family was very supportive,” she says. “I spoke to them every day, so it never felt like I was too far away.”
Recalling her childhood in Georgia, Gvarliani recalls a particular moment that compelled her to pursue modelling. “I’d wanted to become a model for as long as I can remember,” she muses. “Beautiful women on the runways really inspired me. I remember staying up really late once to watch the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show with my mom, and watching those women turn down the runway was really special to me. I wanted to be just like them.” Gvarliani’s drive has paid off, as she has to date received one of modelling’s biggest accolades, having not only been featured on the cover of Vogue but also she is the first-ever Georgian person to do so. “It was a dream come true,” she says, describing her experience covering Vogue Netherlands in December 2022 and again in March 2024. “Becoming the first Georgian person to cover the book felt amazing. It was very empowering to represent my country in that way.”
Though her career has taken her across the globe and far from her homeland, the importance of representing Georgia is not lost on Gvarliani, who takes pride in her ability to shine a light on the country’s rich fashion and culture scenes. “It’s a very important feeling to be able to speak for and represent Georgia, and I’m grateful that I can do that through my work,” she explains. “I would like for there to be more eyes on Georgian fashion because there are so many talented people in the local industry that I would like to see gain more visibility.” In recent years, some of her fellow Georgians have begun to gain exposure and global recognition, with homegrown designers such as Irakli Rusadze, founder of the Tbilisi-based brand Situationist, leading the new wave of Georgian designers and turning the country into an unmissable market for emerging fashion talent.
On an international level, she has worked alongside a roster of talented and celebrated collaborators, particularly on her recent campaign for one of Chanel’s most iconic fragrances, Chance, which launched in January. “Being part of that project was amazing, because I got to work with such amazing people,” she says, listing campaign creatives including photographer Steven Meisel, stylist Karl Templer, hairstylist Guido Palau and legendary make-up artist Pat McGrath.
When speaking about her work with Chanel, Gvarliani remains humble. Instead of lauding her own accomplishment, she takes time to credit all her collaborators – a true testament to her work ethic. “Watching how these people work behind the scenes was magical,” she says. “It was very special.” That isn’t to say that she isn’t proud of how far she’s come in such a short time. Among her other career highlights was being on the covers of magazines such as M Le Magazine du Monde in October 2023 and shot by David Sims. More recently, she was featured in the cover story of Self Service Spring Summer 2024, which saw her collaborate with renowned photographer Alasdair McLellan. Her position on the Top 50 Models, a list that features models who have set themselves apart by impressing designers, casting directors and photographers through their work in an increasingly competitive market, is one that she is also particularly proud of.
Given Gvarliani’s rapid ascent, it should come as no surprise that she listed hard work as the number one asset a model must possess in order to succeed in today’s fashion landscape. “Just like in every profession, being hard-working is a big part of it,” she says. “There are lots of challenges that come with this job, and you must be ready for everything that comes your way while also taking care of yourself, both physically and mentally. You must be unapologetically yourself – don’t change for anyone around you.” Her career has so far been defined by her hard work, but also by her ability to translate her talent across a range of mediums, from covers to catwalks and campaigns. Her impressive diversity has led her to form lasting relationships with legacy brands, perhaps most notably with Calvin Klein. She featured in the brand’s Holiday 2022 campaign and later in clothing campaigns, as well as the recent shots for the Intense Power collection, which presented the brand’s iconic logo in a bold new iteration.
Mathilda Gvarliani’s many achievements exemplify her talent and professionalism, and as she continues to develop and nurture them with that determination that was so evident from the beginning, it’s clear that this is just the prelude to what is destined to be a fruitful, varied and accomplished career, one that she does not take for granted. “Every day is a highlight, and I’m very blessed for that,” she says. “The whole experience has been very surreal – I’m living my dream.”
Discover the full editorial inside the Georgia Chapter at The Silk Road Issue 12
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