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Drake Burnette

Drake Burnette (born December 28, 1985) is an American actress, model, and filmmaker born in , , best known for her breakout lead role as Marfa Girl in director 's 2012 independent film .<grok:render type="render_inline_citation"> 1 </grok:render> After studying at the , Burnette wrote to director seeking a production assistant position on his next film, which unexpectedly led to her in the film.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation"> 2 </grok:render> Burnette's career expanded into production with credits on projects including the 2023 biographical drama Long Distance Swimmer: Sara Mardini and the short film In Freedom, both released that year; she also produced the short film Bust, which premiered at the .<grok:render type="render_inline_citation"> 3 </grok:render> Transitioning into modeling shortly after her film debut, she walked her first runway for Céline's Pre-Fall collection in February 2013 and quickly gained prominence during , opening shows for designers such as .<grok:render type="render_inline_citation"> 4 </grok:render> Her print work has appeared in high-profile publications, including covers for SSAW Magazine's Fall/Winter 2015 issue and editorials in Exit Magazine and Fat Magazine.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation"> 5 </grok:render> Now based in , , Burnette has balanced her pursuits in acting, production, and fashion, drawing on her roots and early artistic education to inform her professional path.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation"> 2 </grok:render>

Early life and education

Upbringing in

Drake Burnette was born on December 28, 1985, in Houston, Texas. Her family soon relocated to Austin, where she spent her formative years as a native Austinite, immersed in the city's vibrant cultural scene. Growing up in Austin provided Burnette with a foundation rich in artistic and natural influences, including frequent visits to local landmarks like for seasonal swims, which became cherished personal traditions. Her Texan roots, shared with at least one , fostered an early appreciation for the region's creative undercurrents, though specific family details remain private. These experiences subtly shaped her inclinations toward visual and , evident in her later academic pursuits. Burnette's childhood in was marked by a sense of exploration amid the state's expansive landscapes, including trips to destinations like Marfa, which sparked an interest in film's ability to capture adolescence's complexities. This environment contributed to early inspirations that lingered into adulthood, culminating in post-college uncertainty about her path, as she grappled with transitioning from personal passions to professional endeavors.

Academic pursuits

Burnette earned a degree in from the , where her studies emphasized the analysis of and historical . Her Texas upbringing laid a foundational interest in art, drawing from the region's and exposure to diverse artistic expressions during her formative years. Following graduation, Burnette faced uncertainty about her career path and sought opportunities in creative fields, including an at a in . She reached out directly to director via letter, expressing interest in a role to gain hands-on experience in . This proactive step reflected her desire to transition from academic pursuits into practical creative work, influenced by her art history background that had cultivated an appreciation for visual storytelling and through imagery. Burnette later advanced her education by enrolling in the program in filmmaking at University's Tisch School of the Arts, Kanbar Institute of Film and Television. She completed the MFA in Graduate Film in 2022, building on her undergraduate foundation to deepen expertise in directing, producing, and visual narrative techniques. Her art history training notably informed her approach to modeling aesthetics, where she applied an analytical eye to composition, lighting, and cultural symbolism in fashion imagery.

Modeling career

Discovery and debut

Drake Burnette's entry into modeling occurred serendipitously in , in late 2012, during a family vacation to the town that had served as the filming location for her acting debut in . While visiting the remote artist enclave, she was scouted by a modeling agent, marking an unexpected pivot from her primary focus on . After interning at a in following her art history degree from the University of , Burnette was living in , from where she pursued and film production opportunities, including a stint at a . This relocation fueled her acting aspirations, but the Marfa scouting led to her signing with DNA Models in . Her transition to modeling was motivated by the creative immediacy of the field, contrasting with the more protracted preparation required for , allowing her to channel her artistic background into a new professional path. Burnette made her professional modeling debut at Céline's Pre-Fall 2013 show in January 2013, just weeks after her discovery, walking the runway for designer in . At age 27, she faced initial challenges as a relative in an industry that often favors younger entrants, lacking prior experience and navigating the physical and logistical demands of . Despite these hurdles, her distinctive look and poise enabled a rapid ascent, with bookings for major shows following soon after, establishing her as a fresh face in high fashion.

Major runway appearances and campaigns

Burnette's modeling career gained momentum following her debut at Céline's pre-fall 2013 show, where she quickly became a sought-after runway presence during the 2013-2015 seasons. She walked for prominent designers including , , and during , , and Fashion Weeks in fall/winter 2013, establishing her as a versatile walker capable of embodying both edgy and luxurious aesthetics. Her appearances extended to , Marni, Missoni, Acne Studios, and in spring/summer 2013, where her poised, natural stride drew comparisons to iconic models like for its effortless chic quality. By spring 2014, Burnette had opened shows for Marni and walked for , , and , solidifying her status among the season's top in-demand catwalkers with seven show openings. In subsequent seasons, Burnette continued to grace major runways, including and for spring/summer 2015 in , as well as and Erdem during London Fashion Week's fall/winter 2015. Her work during this peak period highlighted a signature style blending Texas-rooted simplicity with high-fashion edge, influencing her casting in campaigns that emphasized relaxed sophistication. More recently, in 2025, she appeared in the Elisabetta Franchi fall/winter show and the Marie Adam-Leenaerdt fall/winter presentation in October, demonstrating her enduring relevance in contemporary European design circles. Beyond the runway, Burnette's editorial presence has been marked by high-profile magazine covers and features. She fronted covers for Telva, ES Magazine (), and Numéro China, showcasing her in minimalist and bold editorials that captured her lithe, expressive features. Additional covers included WSJ Magazine in 2013 and in November 2018, where she posed in ethereal, sea-inspired looks for the collector's issue. She has also featured prominently in Vogue Germany’s "Neo Expressiv" editorial in December 2013 and multiple spreads, including a February 2014 issue with city-ready ensembles and a 2015 interview highlighting her dual career in modeling and . Burnette's campaign work further underscores her commercial appeal, with notable collaborations such as the spring/summer 2019 advertising series alongside Mayowa Nicholas, photographed by Jonas Lindström to evoke timeless luxury. In fall/winter 2025, she starred in the Adam-Leenaerdt campaign, lensed by Alessio Bolzoni, which emphasized her as a muse for the brand's refined, narrative-driven collections. These endeavors, combined with her runway legacy, have positioned Burnette as a model whose understated resonates across , , and catwalk platforms.

Acting and filmmaking career

Breakthrough in film

Burnette's entry into acting came unexpectedly during the production of Larry Clark's 2012 independent drama , where she was initially seeking a role as a . A friend connected her to Clark, and after sending a detailed letter outlining her qualifications for the position, she instead auditioned via a three-hour call and was cast as the film's enigmatic lead, an unnamed artist visiting the titular border town. This marked her debut on-screen, transitioning her from post-graduation uncertainty after studying at the University of to a central performance in a raw exploration of youth, sexuality, and small-town ennui. In , Burnette portrays a free-spirited woman who engages in casual encounters with locals, including the protagonist Adam, while navigating themes of isolation and fleeting desire in the desolate Marfa landscape. The film premiered at the 2012 and received mixed critical attention for its unfiltered depiction of adolescent dysfunction, with of praising its focus on "dysfunction and desire" amid awkward racial and sexual tensions, though noting Burnette's natural but unpolished presence as a non-actor. Following this, Burnette appeared in the 2013 short film , directed by Josh Mond, which featured her alongside in a visually poetic on lost love projected onto a hotel room's surfaces. Burnette reprised her role in the 2018 sequel Marfa Girl 2, again under Clark's direction, where her character grapples with motherhood and lingering relational chaos in the same border community. This follow-up solidified her association with Clark's provocative style, emphasizing her evolution from an accidental actress to a recurring figure in his of intimate, unvarnished human struggles.

Production and recent projects

Following her early acting experiences, Burnette transitioned into roles, leveraging her on-screen to inform her behind-the-scenes contributions in . This shift was profoundly shaped by her in from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, earned in 2022 through the Kanbar Institute of Graduate Film, where she honed skills in directing, producing, and narrative development that guided her toward projects emphasizing diverse voices and social themes. Her NYU training emphasized collaborative storytelling and technical proficiency, influencing her selections in producing films that explore , identity, and cultural histories. Burnette's production credits began gaining prominence with Shakedown (2018), a she produced chronicling the underground scene in during the 2000s, highlighting themes of community and liberation amid societal constraints. She continued with La oscuridad (2020), serving as producer on this Mexican short film directed by Jorge Sistos Moreno, which depicts a woman's harrowing and after a brutal attack, premiering at festivals like ' Semaine de la Critique. In 2023, Burnette executive produced In Freedom, a short about an immigrant Guatemalan couple facing an unexpected threat while caring for their grandchildren, directed by Jorge Sistos Moreno and showcased at events like the Film Festival. That same year, she produced Long Distance Swimmer: Sara Mardini, a directed by Charly Wai Feldman that follows the real-life story of Syrian refugee Sara Mardini, who saved lives during her perilous sea crossing to in 2015; the film premiered at the 2023 Sheffield DocFest and later screened at Raindance. Building on these efforts, Burnette produced Bust (2024), a narrative short directed by Angalis Field—a fellow NYU Tisch alum—centering on a trans NYPD officer going undercover for a drug bust, which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and earned recognition from the National Board of Review's student grants. Her most recent project as of 2025, Move Ya Body: The Birth of House, where she served as co-producer alongside Elegance Bratton, is a documentary tracing the origins of house music in 1970s and 1980s Chicago through interviews with pioneers like Vince Lawrence; it premiered at the 2025 Munich International Film Festival. These works reflect Burnette's NYU-influenced focus on authentic, high-impact stories from marginalized communities, with no further announced projects beyond early 2025 as of November. In parallel with her production work, Burnette has contributed to independent films such as In Freedom (2023) and Long Distance Swimmer: Sara Mardini (2023), blending creative oversight with her filmmaking expertise.

Physical attributes and representation

Measurements and style

Drake Burnette stands at 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall, with measurements of 31.5 inches for the bust, 24 inches for the waist, and 35.5 inches for the hips; she wears a , has , and blue-green eyes. Burnette's personal style is characterized by an effortless aesthetic, often incorporating hats as a signature accessory while expressing a strong aversion to impractical or irrelevant . In interviews, she has been described as embodying a "" vibe, blending approachable allure with confident, tomboyish elements that enhance her public image. Her lithe, statuesque build and natural, understated features have aligned well with the refined, minimalist sensibilities of luxury houses like Celine, where she debuted, and , contributing to her appeal in high-fashion contexts. Burnette's nickname, "Dragon," derives from the meaning of her first name, reflecting a bold and fiery that complements her modeling presence.

Agency affiliations

Drake Burnette began her modeling career in 2013, initially signing with DNA Models in , for , , and , and Why Not Model Management in , which facilitated her debut runway appearances during and subsequent European shows. These early affiliations provided crucial support for her international breakthrough, enabling bookings for high-profile campaigns with brands like Marc by Marc Jacobs and runway walks for designers such as and . Over the following years, Burnette transitioned to a network of agencies that strengthened her presence in key fashion markets, including in , which has represented her since at least 2014 and played a pivotal role in securing slots and editorial features in . in joined her roster around 2015, aiding in Italian campaigns for brands like and runway presentations, while Identity Models in New York has managed her U.S.-based work, including advertising contracts with American designers. Uno Models in Barcelona and , affiliated since 2016, supported her expansion into Spanish markets, contributing to shows for and campaigns for . This multi-agency structure was instrumental from 2013 to 2025 in coordinating her global schedule, allowing her to balance over 50 runway appearances and numerous ad campaigns across continents without logistical conflicts. As of November 2025, Burnette maintains active representations with Storm Management (London), Elite Model Management (Milan), Identity Models (New York), and Uno Models (Barcelona/Madrid), evidenced by her participation in the Elisabetta Franchi F/W 2025 show and recent editorials. In early 2025, she switched her Paris representation from VIVA Model Management to Premium Models, aligning with her evolving career that increasingly incorporates acting projects while sustaining high-fashion modeling commitments. Her statuesque 5'10" frame and versatile look have been key assets leveraged by these agencies to meet the demands of luxury runway and commercial work.

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