Hot on the heels of a fantastic run at the recently wrapped Fall/Winter 2024 designer collection runways in Europe, SAINT International’s star Naki Depass is the current advertising campaign face for American-Persian fashion designer Amir Taghi’s eponymous brand. 

Taghi’s new womenswear spring/summer 2024 collection, which spotlights the Jamaican top model in chic looks from silk and cotton voile convertible pleated dresses backs to Chantilly lace slips, was shot last year in New York by photographer Su Mustecaplioglu and styled by Catlin Burke. 

“I absolutely adore Amir’s new collection,” Depass told Our Today from Paris where just days earlier, she had elegantly glided down the catwalk for next season’s ready-to-wear preview collections for both Elie Saab and Miuccia Prada’s Miu Miu fashion house. The hot-stepper had also walked Milan Fashion Week for Ferragamo, and London Fashion Week for Emilia Wickstead, Yuhan Wang, and Ahluwalia. 

Commenting on her present work for the Taghi brand, now purchasable across social media and website platforms, she said: “The colours and patterns for Amir’s work stood out in a beautiful way for me and I love that he draws inspiration from his Persian heritage. He took parts of himself that represents who he is and created these extraordinary pieces. It is a privilege to be a face for his brand, and I’m grateful for the opportunity that was afforded to me.”

Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Taghi studied at Parsons School of Design in New York and Central Saint Martins in London. After returning to New York, he worked at Proenza Scholuer, Oscar de la Renta, Monse, and Adam Lippes, before making his fashion designer debut at New York Fashion Week in 2014. 

Still as much in love with the fashion world as she was when SAINT CEO Dewight Peters scouted her at Edwin Allen High seven years ago, the proud Clarendonian who has co-fronted global advertising campaigns for Michael Kors, Helmut Lang, and NARS Cosmetics, recently signed with Wilhelmina London.

Relocating from New York to the English capital last October, Depass scored plum model assignments for designers Phoebe Philo and Roksanda.  

Of life in London, she shared: “I live close to the central area so there’s a lot of things to explore. Of course, my all-time favourite food is a Jamaican restaurant that’s close by, but I also like to try new restaurants with different cuisines from time to time.” 

“2024 for me is all about elevation,” Depass shared of what’s next on her life chart. “I’m looking forward and working towards great accomplishments this year, both personal and career-wise. I do have everything on my vision board so let’s see which boxes get ticked this year.”