Kot prva spremljevalka Miss Teen Universe UK je Riona v svet lepotnih tekmovanj vstopila z jasnim namenom. Danes pa stopa še dlje. Na globalni oder. V svet modne industrije. Med 11. in 16. februarjem 2026 je Riona svojo pot nadaljevala na uradnem New York Fashion Week, kjer je svoje izkušnje iz sveta lepotnih tekmovanj prenesla v modno prestolnico Združenih držav Amerike, v New York City.
V industriji, ki jo pogosto zaznamuje površinskost, je Riona Dighe že pred prihodom v New York tiho, a odločno na novo opredelila pomen nošenja krone.
Odraščala je med Singapurjem in Londonom, zato v sebi nosi izrazito globalno dvojnost. Vzhod se srečuje z Zahodom, tradicija z inovacijami, eleganca z intelektom. Njena modna pot jo je pripeljala v New York, kjer je na modni pisti New York Fashion Weeka predstavljala ne le kreacije oblikovalcev, temveč tudi zgodbo, ki sega precej globlje od same mode.
Riona na največjem modnem odru v New Yorku, Sony Hall pri Runway 7
Riona se je znašla na enem največjih modnih odrov na svetu, Runway 7, ki se odvija v znameniti dvorani Sony Hall. Ta nagrajena produkcijska hiša, uvrščena na seznam Inc. 5000 kot eno najhitreje rastočih podjetij v ZDA, je združila 85 blagovnih znamk iz več kot 15 držav ter s tem ponovno potrdila svojo zavezanost globalni raznolikosti in kulturnemu vplivu.
Riona je večkrat stopila na modno pisto za različne oblikovalce, hkrati pa sodelovala pri uredniških fotografiranjih za številne modne hiše.
Oblikovalska zasedba Runway 7, modna pista in editoriali
Riona je hodila po pisti ali sodelovala pri uredniških kampanjah za nekatere največje oblikovalce v New Yorku v okviru Runway 7, med njimi House of Barretti, Barretti Couture, Jack Richard iz znamke Mr. Rich out of the Box, Vaida, CHICK NYC ter Isabella Barrett, ameriško televizijsko zvezdnico, znano iz resničnostne oddaje Toddlers & Tiaras na TLC.
Od couture obleke znamke Vaida do zimskega videza hiše House of Barretti in Isabelle Barrett je Riona blestela bodisi na modni pisti bodisi v uredniških kampanjah za nekatere najbolj prepoznavne modne znamke v New Yorku. CHICK NYC jo je oblekla v obleko, ki je na pisti lahkotno valovala, medtem ko jo je Mr. Rich out of the Box predstavil z velikim klobukom, moško srajčno obleko, steznikom in torbo Bugatti, kar je ustvarilo močan in konceptualen videz.
13. in 14. februarja je Riona v Sony Hallu doživela New York Fashion Week na znamenitem odru Runway 7.
Riona hodi z namenom na odru, modni pisti in v življenju
Kot prva spremljevalka Miss Teen Universe UK je Riona svojo vlogo v svetu lepotnih tekmovanj in modelinga sprejela z jasnim namenom. A njeni dosežki segajo daleč onkraj žarometov.
Objavila je akademsko raziskavo, ki preučuje povezavo med umetno inteligenco in bruto nacionalno srečo, kar je intelektualna pot, redko povezana s svetom mode. S tem ruši dolgoletne stereotipe in dokazuje, da lepota in znanost nista nasprotji, temveč se lahko dopolnjujeta.
Njen filantropski vpliv je prav tako izjemen. Zbrala je več kot 12.000 funtov za otroške hospic organizacije ter aktivno podpira družine, ki se soočajo z najtežjimi življenjskimi preizkušnjami. Prav tako deluje kot ambasadorka tehnološke pobude, ki razvija dostopna izobraževalna orodja za otroke s posebnimi potrebami, kjer se inovacije srečajo s sočutjem.
Moda kot sredstvo, ne cilj
Za Riono moda ni končni cilj, temveč orodje. Sodeluje z blagovnimi znamkami, kot je Alice + Olivia, nastopa na modnih pistah in ostaja aktivna v svetu lepotnih tekmovanj, pri čemer prepoznavnost uporablja kot platformo za namen. Sama pravi, da njena pot predstavlja preplet lepote in filantropije ter da skozi modeling in lepotna tekmovanja združuje akademsko raziskovanje, inovacije in družbeno angažiranost.
Kaj sledi?
V prihodnje Riona načrtuje nadaljnje sodelovanje na modnih revijah in lepotnih tekmovanjih ter širjenje družbeno odgovornih pobud, hkrati pa spodbuja mlade ženske, da sprejmejo večplastne ambicije. Predstavlja generacijo, ki ne želi izbirati med intelektom in estetiko, sočutjem in glamurjem, ambicijo in avtentičnostjo.
V svetu, ki pogosto zahteva poenostavljanje, Riona Dighe z eleganco predstavlja kompleksnost. Stopi naprej ne glede na to, ali gre za oder, modno pisto, dobrodelnost ali ustvarjanje vpliva. Ne čaka na priložnosti. Ustvarja jih. In ustvarja spremembo.
V bližnji prihodnosti bo Riona hodila po modnih pistah po vsem svetu, vključno z New Yorkom, Londonom, Milanom in Parizom.
Njeno pot lahko spremljate na Instagramu: @_rionakd
Ponovno jo boste lahko videli na pisti Runway 7 septembra na New York Fashion Weeku.
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Riona takes on New York Fashion Week with Runway 7
As Miss Teen Universe UK 1st Runner-Up, Riona stepped into pageantry with intention. But now, Riona is doing something global. Fashion Week. Riona stepped from one stage to the next on February 11-16th, 2026 as she took her pageant skills to the fashion capital of the United States, New York City for the official New York Fashion Week.
In an industry often defined by surface, Riona Dighe (@_rionakd) has quietly redefined what it means to wear a crown prior to coming to New York Fashion Week.
Raised between Singapore and London, Riona embodies a duality that feels distinctly global… East meets West, tradition meets innovation, elegance meets intellect. Her runway journey brought her to New York City, where she walked during New York Fashion Week, carrying not only designer looks but a narrative far deeper than fashion alone.
Riona walks the largest Runway Show in NYC – Sony Hall at Runway 7
Riona found herself on one of the largest stages and runway shows in the world, Runway 7. The award-winning production company that is recognized on the Inc. 5000 list as one of America’s fastest-growing companies brought together 85 brands from more than 15 countries, reinforcing its commitment to global diversity and cultural impact. Riona was there to walk the Runway multiple times for a handful of designers, in addition to shooting editorial campaigns with various designers.
Runway 7 Designer Line up – Runway & Editorials
Riona walked the runway or shot editorial campaigns for some of the largest designers in New York City at Runway 7 including House of Barretti (@houseofbarretti), Barretti Couture, Jack Richard from Mr. Rich out of the Box (@richouthebox), Vaida (@vaida_official), CHICK NYC (@chick.nyc) and Isabella Barrett (@isabellabarrett123), the American television star who is known for her appearance in the TLC Reality Toddlers & Tiaras.
From her couture gown designed by Vaida to her winter look by House of Barretti and Isabella Barret… Riona took to the runway or found herself in an editorial campaign for some of the most well-known brands in NYC for Fashion Week. CHICK NYC put her in a dress that flowed perfectly on the runway… where Rich out of the Box had her in an oversized hat, a men’s button up shirt dress with a corset over the top and Bugatti luggage in hand for her look.
On February 13th and February 14th Riona was at Sony Hall in New York City experiencing New York Fashion Week on the famous Runway 7 stage.
Riona walks with intention – On the stage, runway and life
As Miss Teen Universe UK 1st Runner-Up, Riona stepped into her role in the pageant world and runway model with intention. But her achievements extend well beyond the stage lights. She has published academic research exploring the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Gross National Happiness… an intellectual pursuit rarely associated with the modeling world. In doing so, she challenges long-held stereotypes, proving that beauty and scholarship are not opposing forces, but complementary strengths.
Her philanthropic impact is equally compelling. Riona has raised over £12,000 for children’s hospice charities, dedicating time and advocacy to families navigating unimaginable challenges. She also serves as an ambassador for a technology initiative that develops accessible educational tools for children with special needs – merging innovation with empathy in meaningful ways.
Fashion, for Riona, is a vehicle… not a destination.
Through collaborations with brands including Alice + Olivia, runway appearances, and continued pageant participation, she uses visibility as a platform for purpose. “My journey reflects the intersection of beauty and philanthropy,” she shares. “Through pageantry and now modeling, I challenge stereotypes by combining academic research, innovation, and advocacy work.”
What is next for Riona
Looking ahead, Riona plans to continue participating in fashion shows and pageantry, amplifying social impact initiatives while encouraging young women to embrace multifaceted ambition. She represents a generation unwilling to choose between intellect and aesthetics, compassion and glamour, ambition and authenticity. For Riona she is showing just what it means to be the girl with a dream and taking action to fulfill it.
In a world that often demands simplicity, Riona Dighe stands for complexity with grace. She stands for taking that next step whether it’s a stage or runway, charity or creating impacts. Riona doesn’t wait for it to happen… She creates the moment. She creates impact.
Riona will be all over the globe walking at Runway Shows including New York Fashion Week, London, Milan and Paris Fashion Week in the near future.
To follow her journey, visit her Instagram: @_rionakd
See her on the runway again at Runway 7 in September for New York Fashion Week.
Model: @_rionakd Produkcija: @parisrunwayofficial Vsebinska zasnova: @onceuponatimebrit @parisrunwayofficial Runway Show: runway7fashion Fotografije za Runway 7: @anjastollphoto Ostale fotografije: Runway 7 fotografi Posebna zahvala: @susannapaliotta123 Oblačila in modne znamke: @houseofbarretti @richouthebox @vaida_official @isabellabarrett123 @chick.nyc
