Rising Star: Riona Dighe Approved to Walk the Runway
London-based model Riona Dighe is stepping into one of the most defining moments of her young career with her official approval to walk the runway. Known affectionately as “Riona,” the 18-year-old brings a rich background in pageantry, a growing passion for fashion, and an inspiring drive to use her platform for impact.
A Pageant Legacy
Riona’s journey began on the pageant stage, where her elegance and discipline first took root. She earned a place in the Top 15 at Miss Teen Great Britain 2024, won Best Charity in the same competition, and quickly rose through the ranks of international competitions. In 2025, she became 1st Runner-Up at Miss Teen Universe UK, also securing titles for Best Interview, Best Hair, and the Popularity Award. These achievements not only reflect her poise and charisma, but also the discipline and heart she brings to every stage she steps on.
Fashion as a Calling
For Riona, fashion is more than fabric but it’s art, energy, and presence.
“My journey into fashion began with pageantry, where I first learned that style is as much about presence as it is about clothing,” she explains.
That passion deepened through creative collaborations, including a standout partnership with Alice + Olivia and Miss Universe Singapore 2023, experiences that opened her eyes to fashion’s ability to tell stories and embody transformation.
She has also raised over £30,000 for charity by working alongside fashion brands and organizations, blending her passions for fashion and entrepreneurship to create meaningful impact.
Dreams of the Runway
While this will be Riona’s first official time walking in a runway show, her vision is already expansive. She sees herself not only walking in Fashion Week events across the globe, but also growing within the fashion community, meeting designers, and making a name in both media and press. “Walking and attending Fashion Week, meeting designers, attending events, and growing within the fashion community... that’s my dream,” she says.
Her approval to walk the runway marks the first step toward completing that vision, where the artistry of pageantry meets the dynamism of fashion week.
Purpose & Passion
For Riona, fashion is a vehicle for transformation. “I’m drawn to moments where clothes stop being fabric and become energy, presence, even power,” she shares. Her passions lie in fashion and entrepreneurship, and she sees her future as one where confidence and impact work hand in hand.
She views purpose as something fluid, much like fashion itself: “It shifts, it evolves. Right now, I know part of my purpose is to bring fashion to life in ways that move people.”
What’s Next
As she prepares to debut on the runway, Riona is poised to merge her love for performance, storytelling, and style. With experience in Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Marie Claire, and Moevir features already under her belt through pageant achievements, she is now ready to take her presence global in the fashion world.
Her ultimate goal? To stand as a symbol of transformation, using fashion not just to shine personally, but to inspire others.
“Professionally, I want to merge fashion, performance, and storytelling on a global stage. Personally, to keep evolving into someone who creates impact beyond myself.”
Riona Dighe’s story is just beginning... but her runway is already waiting.
Follow Riona: @_rionakd