Marina Nery walking in the Andrea Marques show at Rio Fashion Week. Image courtesy of Fotosite.

Every time Marina Nery appeared on one of Rio’s fall/winter runways, the front row fashion scribes all nodded their approval. “There’s the girl with the ears and the amazing eyes. I love her!” was the common shout out. I caught up with Marina backstage at Filhas de Gaia to get the rundown on this rising runway phenom.

Born: Salvador, a town in the north east of Brazil

Age: 17

Runway history: “I did three shows in Paris two seasons ago, but this is my first season in Brazil and I’m so happy to be here. I didn’t expect this much! I’m a brunette girl and they tend to use the blondes and the black girls, so I’m a little proud of myself. It’s been an amazing first season and I’m so happy.”

Post model gig: “I want to go back to school to study anthropology.”

Defining features (eyes and ears): “I don’t know whether it’s just my ears, but my bookers are telling me a lot of people are talking about me. I don’t know what about. I hope it’s good things!”

Did you catch all of our Rio Fashion Week coverage? If not, check it out here!

Read about another model on the rise, Canadian Kate King.