It’s a sunny day in Los Angeles when Bella Hadid and I meet up again. For over a decade, the 29-year-old model and entrepreneur has shaped my life—and much of the fashion and beauty world. When she went blonde in 2019 with colorist Jenna Perry, I was inspired to change my own hair color too (and went to Perry for the transformation). I choked down shots of sea moss for a month after she shared that the squishy aquatic plant was part of her morning routine. By the time we first met in person a few years ago, we’d both returned to horseback riding (me English, her Western), gotten into meditation, and unexpectedly found ourselves in Texas. Today, I’m back to brunette, she’s recently gone blonde again, and she’s trying to pull me into her latest vintage obsession.

“Us shopping together would be insane,” she says with a conspiratorial grin. At the top of her wish list are the Prada handbags her mother carried throughout her childhood. “She had the most beautiful collection,” she adds. And while her mother, Dutch model Yolanda, may have pared down that coveted collection since, Prada still holds a special place in her heart. “It will always mean high fashion to me.”

Prada and Hadid are having a moment. Last month, the model walked in the fall 2026 ready-to-wear show for the first time. She made up for lost time by circling the runway four times in one show, her outfit evolving each time as a layer was removed. Today, she’s taking another step in her commitment by joining Prada Beauty as the brand’s global face. It coincides with a new launch—the Prada Touch Blush, which comes in eight shades and is cleverly shaped like the brand’s triangle logo.

“Blush is about life,” she tells me, swiping her favorite shade, Dahlia, onto my hand. “Sometimes I wake up not feeling fresh or energized, especially when dealing with immune issues and being a workaholic. But putting on a good blush makes me feel a little happier.” I joke, borrowing Ina Garten’s line: if you can’t make your own, store-bought blush is fine. “More than fine when it’s Prada,” she replies.

Happy, really, is Hadid’s current baseline. She’s scouring eBay and Depop for those Prada bags she remembers her mom carrying. The California-raised model has also partly relocated near my hometown of Dallas–Fort Worth to live out her horse-girl dreams. I’m partly in Texas too, where my long-distance fiancé lives.

“When I first moved to Texas, I’d just put my hair in two little braids, no makeup, and go about my day,” she reflects. “But spending time here has shown me so many different kinds of cowgirls. It’s so fun. Some have blown-out hair under their cowboy hats with full makeup and diamonds; others wear messy ponytails and spend all their time with their horses. I think I’m right in the middle.”

Life in Texas is quiet, but it comes with personal growth. She tells me she especially welcomes that in the Year of the Horse. “It’s a year of growth and understanding yourself better. For me, trusting my intuition and walking in my truth to see what comes along the way is really important.”

While filming The Beauty—Ryan Murphy’s body-horror series about a beauty drug with dire consequences—Hadid also learned something from her character, a supermodel named Ruby. “The whole set taught me how to release control and let go of perfectionism,” she says. “My comfort zone is being in control, but I knew I had to step out of it, let loose, and let go. Being beautiful or perfect was the last thing on the list at the end of a day on set, and that was a really big lesson for me. I’ll carry that with me for the rest of my life.”Her next dream role is flexible—she enjoyed the action of playing Ruby but is also open to a romantic comedy. Then there’s the beloved animated horse-girl film from her childhood that springs to mind. “If they ever make a live-action Spirit movie, sign me up. I’m ready to go.”

One of her happiest experiences, though, is being an aunt to Khai. She recently spent a day at Disney World in Orlando with Khai and her mother, Hadid’s sister Gigi. She can confirm the Magic Kingdom truly is magical. “Seeing my niece experience life physically changes me,” she says. “It brings life to my face and gives me energy. In a metaphorical way, everything is connected. Life makes me blush, and blush brings me life. And sometimes, that blush comes from Prada Beauty.”

Prada Beauty
Have a beauty or wellness trend you’re curious about? We want to know! Email Vogue’s senior beauty and wellness editor at beauty@vogue.com.

Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Bella Hadid embracing the spirit of the Year of the Horse

General Beginner Questions

1 What does embracing the spirit of the Year of the Horse even mean
It refers to someone adopting the positive traits associated with the Horse in the Chinese Zodiac for that lunar year These traits include energy independence adventure and a freespirited attitude

2 Why is Bella Hadid doing this Is it a trend
Bella has been exploring her personal style and interests beyond modeling Embracing zodiac themes can be a form of selfreflection a creative inspiration for fashion and projects or simply a way to connect with a different cultural concept in a personal way Its part of a broader trend of people using astrology and zodiac signs for motivation

3 How is she actually showing this spirit
She has demonstrated it through her fashion choices her social media content featuring horses and her overall public persona which has recently emphasized strength travel and a more untamed natural aesthetic compared to her earlier ultraglam style

4 Is she into Chinese astrology now
Theres no indication shes a dedicated follower of Chinese astrology Its more likely shes using the symbolic Horse energy as a theme or muse for a period of her life which is a common practice in art and fashion

Advanced Practical Questions

5 What are the key traits of a Horse in the Chinese Zodiac that she might be channeling
Key positive traits include being energetic and active independent and freespirited charismatic and popular adventurous and love travel and having a strong athletic build Horses are also known for being straightforward and sometimes impatient

6 Are there any downsides or challenges to the Horse spirit she might relate to
Potentially yes The Horses independence can sometimes lead to a reluctance to ask for help or a sense of restlessness Their straightforwardness can be misinterpreted as bluntness Given Bellas openness about her health struggles channeling the Horses relentless energy might also involve balancing it with necessary rest