Rare triplets in the world of modeling

In mid-February, hundreds of people in luxurious and sparkling outfits packed the Italian restaurant Grand Central Cipriani in New York (USA) to admire the launch of the new collection of the fashion house Romeo & Juliet Couture.

Looking towards the runway, everyone attentively followed the confident steps of the opening model, a petite figure, her slightly reddish blonde hair neatly tied at the nape of her neck, wearing a floral strapless top, a faux leather jacket over it, combined with a high-waisted maxi skirt.

As the first model finished her walk, another model walked out. She wore a completely different outfit, a low-cut tank top that showed off her sexy bust and black jeans. But her face, demeanor, and walk were exactly the same as the opening model.

“They must be sisters,” said John Gavras, a senior executive at construction management firm LiRo Group, who was sitting in the VIP area with his two daughters. “Or are all models supposed to be the same?” asked a nearby guest.

When the third model appeared, looking indistinguishable from the first two, the audience finally knew what was happening. "They're triplets. Oh my God! This is amazing!" Mr. Gavras exclaimed.

Fashion shows are still considered civilized events. The elegant guests, dressed in gorgeous, luxurious costumes, quietly watch the display of creative art. But when the triplets - Andrea, Arianna, Athena Levesque - appeared together, the guests started clapping and cheering as if they were watching a sports match.

The appearance of triplets - Andrea, Arianna, Athena Levesque - surprised guests at the Romeo & Juliet Couture show. Photo:New York Times

"You see, there's real appeal behind these three girls," said David Shamouelian, owner and CEO of Romeo & Juliet Couture.

This isn’t the first time multiple pregnancies have made headlines in the fashion world. Most recently, twins Cipriana Quann and TK Wonder appeared in a Kenneth Cole ad campaign. Last October, designer Jun Takahashi hired five sets of twins to close his show at Paris Fashion Week.

However, triplets are rarer than twins, and over the past two years, the Levesque sisters have convinced many designers, television producers, and filmmakers that their products would be more unique with the presence of three sisters.

24 years old and living in Astoria (New York), the three Levesque sisters have modeled for designers such as Adrian Alicea, Andre Emery, appeared on famous TV showsGood Morning Americaand received many invitations to participate in reality TV shows.

The appearance of triplets - Andrea, Arianna, Athena Levesque - surprised guests at the Romeo & Juliet Couture show. Photo:New York Times.

In September, they plan to launch their own womenswear line, which is not too feminine, with jeans and jackets, jumpsuits and floral dresses. They have a studio inside their three-bedroom apartment.

This is where they take their own photos and earn extra money by taking photos of other models and actors. The three Levesque girls also act in a number of videos and short films, including music videos.Premonition of the Hexquite famous of Circa Survive.

Arianna is a designer and stylist, Andrea is a photographer, Athena is an actress. However, they always market themselves as an inseparable trio.

"There are a lot of blondes out there, but not many triplets. We have to take advantage of that," Athena said.

Siblings of twins and triplets often try to differentiate themselves, asserting themselves as independent individuals, but the Levesque girls exploit themselves as a single trio. If one of the sisters wants to cut her hair, all have to agree.

"Two months ago, I wanted to change my hairstyle but the other two said I shouldn't and we didn't cut our hair," Andrea said.

However, the similarities are not always forced. On the morning of the Romeo & Juliet show, all three sisters wore the same shoes, leggings, and oversized sweaters without asking permission.

Andrea and Arianna each have a cat. Athena has a 25 kg dog. "The animals can tell us apart. They know who their 'mother' is," Athena happily shared.

As little girls in Hyannis, Massachusetts, the three sisters wanted to do everything together. At 11, they went to school wearing dresses that Arianna had cut from old pillowcases. When they were older, the three girls participated in plays together.Twelth Night.

After graduating from different universities, all three moved to New York with the hope of trying modeling - something they had done for fun - in a professional and serious way.

"We can go back to other jobs at any time. But modeling is something we can only do right now. And that's what I can do with the kids," Andrea shared.

And they gain a lot of value by always being a unified trio.

“We did shoots with each of them, but it was the three of them that made the difference,” said Shamouelian, who is also a part-time design assistant for Shamouelian.

"I don't think I would hire them as individuals because I usually use models 5'7" and taller. (The Levesque sisters are 5'6".) But because they're triplets, I can be creative with that," Shamouelian said.

The Levesque sisters have a long list of big-name designers they want to model for, like Dolce & Gabbana and Tom Ford.

The Levesque sisters want the opportunity to work for Dolce & Gabbana and Tom Ford. Photo:New York Times

However, there are also drawbacks when three sisters work together.

"Hiring all three sisters at the same time is a conscious choice for the client. It can be a disadvantage for them," said Sara Ziff, founder and CEO of Model Alliance, a modeling agency in New York.

However, the trio insist that they encourage each other to seek out and secure their own contracts, and that these activities will be a factor in raising the profile of all three sisters.

Sara Ziff also expressed concern that the appearance of triplets would reinforce the idea that all models should look the same.

“It’s fascinating to see the same models on the runway. With the same makeup and hair, the models can switch places. The personality they portray is the personality of the brand. But models who share the same DNA take the concept to the next level.”

Still, the Levesque sisters insist they don't pay much attention to outside comments.

"The only important thing is that we are either the same or we are all different. I don't want two people to be the same and me to be different. We are triplets" - Athena said.