NYFW Spring 2013: Catwalk Queens

At 5'11" Nykhor Paul, a 3 year vet signed to Red Models, is unbelievably statuesque. And we had the pleasure of seeing her at  Catherine Malandrino, Rachel Comey and here at Rachel Roy, standing out from the rest with incredible poise. The key to her stunning looks? -  "maintaining clear skin because we have to wear so much make-up throughout the season." And her beauty most definitely runs skin deep.

Grace Mahary is the new kid on the block — or, should we say, runway. The Eritrean stunner was excited backstage at BCBGMAXAZRIA to walk her very first New York Fashion Week show today—and take it from us, she killed it! But the 22-year-old isn't entirely a newbie, she's ripped the Paris runway for Givenchy (exclusively flown out by the designer himself). When asked what she'll be focusing on while strutting her stuff, she said "the excitement and confidence because it is my first week."

Nicole Murphy started her career as a model and when she walked the runway for Omar Salem at Harlem's Fashion Row you pushed aside all of the Hollywood hoopla and saw her for what she was. Murphy took over the runway with a strut that clearly indicated she was a pro, and at 40 plus - she showed the other pretty young things how to walk the walk.

Remember Catwalk Queen Jasmine Tookes walking for the first time in Hervé Leger at NYFW last season? Well this year the IMG beauty was just as fabulous. When we caught up with the West Indian model after the show, she told us what she was most excited about this NYFW: "obviously the clothes," but her real focus - "not falling!"

This French fem fatale was one of many brown beauties flooding the catwalk at Tracy Reese. However Moreira's glowing coco skin stood out from the rest against this fab neon frock. At the young age of 21, this Ford model already knows the key to the catwalk: "concentrate on not falling, looking strong and having one focus point," Moreira told ESSENCE.com. Ladies, take notes!

When we spotted this African stunner backstage at Harlem Fashion's Row then again at Tracy Reese (left) we couldn't take our eyes off her baby-like features: smooth skin, perfectly round face and cute curly crop. The French born model was scouted on outskirts of London and is new to the industry, but according to models.com she "has the potential to become super special," - so keep an eye out for her!

Grace Bol's deep mahogany skin, short hair and lean frame pays close resemblance to Alek Wek, but this Sudanese newbie is paving her own way. Bol left Kansas City for the big apple in 2009 to pursue a career in high fashion modeling and has walked for everyone including Givenchy to Mara Hoffman (left). Next stop for the model - London Fashion Week.