Rome, the Stage for a New Era in International Fashion
On July 17, beneath the centuries-old vaults of the Corsie Sistine in Rome, the atmosphere was not one of religious contemplation but of a quest for the new embodiment of global beauty. In this majestic setting, where art history permeates every stone, the 41st edition of the Elite Model Look World Final took place. This competition, which over four decades has transformed anonymous faces into global legends—think Cindy Crawford, Gisele Bündchen, Lara Stone, or more recently Vittoria Ceretti—has once again fulfilled its mission as a talent scout.
Among the fifty finalists from all corners of the globe, two names stood out from the crowd to claim victory: Keira Ann Alvares Ganapathy from India and Otto Vadskaer from Denmark, who is just sixteen years old. During a week of intensive auditions, these young hopefuls were guided by mentors Ruben Rua and Valeria Buldini before taking to the runway in Rome before a panel of expert judges. But beyond the crowning of these two new faces, the event marked a major strategic turning point for the Italian brand Gas, the main partner of this edition, which took advantage of this global showcase to unveil its creative transformation.
Gas’s Creative Transformation Led by Tony Ranalli
The Chiuppano-based company did more than just lend its name to the event. For Gas, this evening marked Tony Ranalli’s baptism by fire; as creative director, he orchestrated a fashion show structured into three distinct chapters, each reflecting a facet of an identity currently being redefined. The designer successfully rose to the challenge of reinterpreting the brand’s heritage while grounding it in a radical modernity, far from the well-trodden paths of traditional denim.
The first part of the show, titled “Archive Icons,” immersed the audience in the brand’s deep-rooted heritage. Ranalli drew on the brand’s history and its organic connection to the worlds of racing and motorcycling. Leather reigned supreme, featuring in distinctive jackets and outerwear pieces with meticulous finishes. The runway featured monochromatic silhouettes that oscillated between the raw aesthetic of the biker and the precision of the bomber jacket, all paired with coated denim pants or leather-look pants. It was a vibrant tribute to the brand’s technical DNA, reimagined with a contemporary cut and a bold look.
From Electric Fuchsia to Textile Experimentation
The pace then picked up with the arrival of the “What the Fuchsia” segment. Here, the monochromatic rigor gave way to an explosion of color and texture. White, fuchsia, and indigo intertwined in a ballet of marbled washes and painterly treatments. Vintage silhouettes, reimagined with a modern edge, brought a new sense of lightness. This segment demonstrated Gas’s ability to step outside its comfort zone to embrace a more graphic and daring aesthetic, playing with color contrasts and textural effects to capture the light from the Roman spotlights.
Finally, the show concluded with “The Bold Side,” the most experimental section of the presentation. Pants, the centerpiece of the Gas wardrobe, were treated as works of art. The Elite Model Look
finalists showcased designs adorned with studs, rhinestones, sequins, and fringe. Laminated finishes were paired with sheer details, creating a striking contrast with tops of absolute simplicity and minimalist swimwear. This approach, which places the ornamentation and structure of the bottoms at the center of attention, foreshadows a more sophisticated and evening-oriented direction for the brand.
A bridge between the runway and the street: the next phase of the project
The Roman adventure doesn’t end when the spotlight fades. The collaboration between Gas and the prestigious modeling competition will continue in a very tangible way through a dedicated capsule collection. This exclusive line will feature a carefully curated selection of pieces that caused a sensation on the Corsie Sistine runway, allowing the general public to embrace this new stylistic language conceived by Tony Ranalli.
To accompany this commercial launch, a dedicated lookbook is already in the works. It will not be a simple product showcase, but a staged production featuring models from the Elite agency, thus bringing full circle the process of discovering new faces and expressing a contemporary style. By partnering with a platform capable of launching international careers, Gas is securing renewed visibility among a generation that appreciates both heritage and radical innovation. The brand seems to have found in Rome the inspiration needed to embark on this new chapter, driven by the youthful energy of Keira Ann Alvares Ganapathy and Otto Vadskaer.