Each new fashion season brings a fresh wave of faces – a lineup of models ready to conquer the runway. This year, London Fashion Week welcomed an unexpected star: Walt Yotka, a 75-year-old New Jersey native and the proud father of former Vogue Runway editor Steff Yotka.
Walt’s first trip to London was an unforgettable one, filled with the excitement of walking the runway for the Chopova Lowena spring/summer 2025 show. He eagerly embraced the opportunity, energized by the idea and a sense of pride for his daughter’s connection to the brand. “It’s one of those events that Steff and Emma and Laura had talked about in the past, but never really happened, and then they asked me and I was energised by this great idea,” Walt said. “Of course Chopova Lowena is a brand Steff loves, so I knew I wanted to do this.”
This wasn’t Walt’s first foray into the world of fashion. He had previously penned reviews of fashion shows for his daughter, adding his own unique perspective and musical flair. But walking the runway was a whole new experience. He was immediately drawn to the avant-garde nature of Chopova Lowena’s designs, admiring the intricate details and the use of unexpected materials. “It’s the intricacies of what they do to the clothes that is impressive,” he explained. “Not everybody is aware of how intricate and how nice it looks [in person]. The skirts with the combination of materials and the carabiners I think are great – there’s a lot to work with!”
While Chopova Lowena was the star of the show, Walt also shared his appreciation for other designers like Christopher John Rogers and Dries Van Noten, particularly praising Dries for his bold use of color.
The experience of preparing for the show was just as captivating. From the initial fitting, where alterations were required to ensure a perfect fit for a 75-year-old, to the whirlwind of backstage preparations, Walt found himself immersed in the magic of fashion. “It’s like a conveyor belt; you don’t have time to get over-excited while you’re in it. But it was really interesting to be behind the scenes,” he shared.
Walt’s newfound celebrity status was unexpected and a little surreal, but he embraced it with humor and humility. He learned firsthand the amount of dedication and talent required to create a successful runway show. As he took his first steps on the catwalk, Walt realized his initial concerns about his age and lack of modeling experience were unfounded. “The first thing that came to my mind when they asked me to do this is that I don’t walk like a model,” he admitted. “I’m older, and I take shorter strides, so I was concerned about that.” But he quickly learned that the experience was more about confidence and embracing the moment.
Walt’s journey into the world of fashion was an inspiring reminder that age is just a number and that it’s never too late to try something new. He shared his heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity and the support he received from his daughter and the Chopova Lowena team. “I would walk another show, why not give it another shot?” Walt said. “It was exhilarating. There are some fun lines I’ve seen out there that I think are pretty cool.”
Walt’s experience was a testament to the power of fashion to bring people together, to challenge expectations, and to create unforgettable moments. And for a 75-year-old man who had never imagined himself on a runway, it was a journey that brought him closer to his daughter, opened his eyes to a new world, and reminded him that life is full of unexpected adventures.
