Fashion Month is a prime time for witnessing innovative designs on the runway—but even better yet, is when there are surprise model appearances on the catwalk. Who doesn’t love an A-list actor or buzzy singer making an unexpected cameo? Those at the fall 2025 Marni presentation in Milan today were treated to such a starry delight: Actor Tracee Ellis Ross walked the show. “Francesco is full of so much love, creativity and artistry—it’s why he and I are friends,” Ross tells Vogue. “His clothes and shows are always a beautiful expression of his work and virtuosity, so it felt exciting.”
While Ross is no stranger to a chic and memorable red carpet look, her Marni ensemble certainly brought her epic personal style to a whole new level. The star sauntered down the runway in Risso’s electric yellow pop art-style gown. “It’s yellow, elegant, fun, and made for me—so I loved it,” says Ross. “I felt like a slinky, foxy, burst of sunshine in it.”
Photo: Getty Images
Ross’s fabulous moment on the Marni catwalk came about entirely organically, says the star. A few weeks back, Ross and Risso—who are longtime friends—were making future plans to casually hang out in L.A., when Risso had the idea to cast her in the show. “He was telling me about this exciting art show he created,” says Ross, “and then he said, ‘Why don’t you come walk in the show?’”
Ross and Risso immediately began brainstorming their approach for her runway walk—and they landed on crafting a theatrical moment together. “Francesco called me a wolf and said that’s what made me great for the show,” says Ross, who decided she wanted to channel a “foxy wolf” on the stage. “He said the show is about the strength of the pack, which we all need now,” she says. As for what other preparations went into her splashy fashion week moment? “A lot of stretching, and sleeping, because the time difference is brutal.”
Of course, this wasn’t Ross’s first rodeo taking on a high-fashion runway. Back in the 1990s, Ross famously walked the spring 1991 Mugler show with her mother, Diana Ross. (An iconic mother-daughter moment, if you ask us.) “I don’t think I’ve walked for a designer since then,” says Ross. “It completely brings me back to my first love. I love the process: The fittings, all of the amazing artists, and the clothes—always the clothes. It was fun to rediscover my model legs.” Now that Ross has both walked the runway and sat front row at shows, she says she doesn’t necessarily prefer one over the other. Her favorite, she quips, is “whichever one lets me keep the clothes!“
