From the halls of ARHS to the Burberry runway

At just 18 years old, Zachary Schmidt, a 2026 ARHS graduate, opened the runway for Burberry’s Spring 2027 Ready-To-Wear collection in London. How did Schmidt go from roaming the halls of our high school to walking one of the oldest fashion runways in the world for a global luxury brand?

Schmidt chatted with me over the phone from London to answer some questions about how it all happened, what the experience taught him, and what he sees in the future of modelling as a career.

Schmidt is currently studying finance at New York University in London, the place where his dream of modeling became a reality. Schmidt told me that fashion has always been a large part of his life, and that he had friends who had modeled before him.

“A couple of years ago, I was at my friend’s pool, and there just so happened to be a model scout there after school,” he said. “He had me and all my friends, like, walk for him.” Schmidt said the scout told him he had a “runway fashion profile,” that he had the capability to model professionally.

So when he saw a scouting event for models on TikTok, he decided to go for it. “I really enjoyed the virtual casting,” he said. “Later, the guy hosting it contacted me [with his information]. Four weeks later, I signed a contract.”

Schmidt said that the atmosphere backstage at fashion shows is much calmer than one would guess, even when it is swarming with celebrity guests. For example, Schmidt described his encounter with popular UK rapper and songwriter Central Cee.

“I walked in the dressing room, and I was literally caught so off guard [upon seeing him],” he said. “He was staring into my eyes.” But at the end of the day, Schmidt realized, “he was just another human being. He was just like anyone else.”

Schmidt was the opening model for the men’s collection, and he recalls his nerves growing as the time drew closer to his cue to walk. “It was such an incredible experience, and it was really joyful, but there was a lot of pressure riding on my shoulders, opening the men’s wear,” Schmidt said. “I definitely knew what a big stage and big opportunity I had in front of me.”

According to Schmidt, the days leading up to a show are when the real work of modeling takes place.

In the week before the Burberry show, Schmidt stayed up well past midnight in the company headquarters. “It’s hours and days and weeks of unseen work leading up to a big show,” Schmidt said. “I know a lot of people that didn’t even sleep the nights leading up to it. And there’s a whole lot of pressure riding on everybody’s shoulders to perform at the highest degree.”

Despite his interest in modeling, Schmidt feels strongly that he is still a student first. Last week, he turned down the opportunity to walk at Milan’s Fashion Week, which features brands such as Prada, Fendi, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, and Giorgio Armani, to pursue his education. “I personally place a big value on education,” he said.

Still, the Burberry show was just the beginning for Schmidt, and there is much more to come in his future. “I’m definitely looking to expand my horizons,” he said.

When asked about his future walks, he said, “I can’t really disclose as of now, but there’s definitely something in the works.”

Schmidt is currently represented as a “New Face” by an agency called BRI’GEID Mother Agency in New York and is also on the roster for YU Models in Italy. He said he is also in the final stages of signing with another London-based agency.