Australian supermodels such as Elle Macpherson and Miranda Kerr helped to put Australia on the map. Kerr, the first Australian model to walk the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show (and later go on to become one of the brand’s acclaimed Angels), paved the way for Aussie models Kelly Gale, Shanina Shaik, Bridget Malcolm and, most recently, David Jones ambassador Victoria Lee.
Now, famous Australian models are everywhere – from closing a Chanel show beside Karl Lagerfeld (Adut Akech) to starring in films beside Charlize Theron (Abbey Lee Kershaw).
Below, in no particular order, we take a look at the 17 most famous Australian models.
17. Bridget Malcolm
Perth-born model Bridget Malcolm walked in the 2015 and 2016 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows and was named Playboy’s Playmate of the Year in January 2017. The 26-year-old made headlines worldwide earlier this year after she opened up about her eating disorder and chronic anxiety, both of which came from trying to succeed as a model.
16. Kelly Gale
Swedish-Australian (we’re claiming her) model Kelly Gale is only 23-years-old but she’s already walked in four Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows, been a Playboy Playmate of the month and walked for fashion houses such as Chanel, Ralph Lauren and Tom Ford.
15. Bambi Northwood-Blyth
Melbourne-born model Bambi Northwood-Blyth (real name Stephanie) has long been one of Australia’s most well-known faces. With eyebrows to rival that of Cara Delevingne, it’s no surprise Calvin Klein tapped her to be the face of its CK One fragrance. The campaign immediately propelled the 27-year-old to international fame.
14. Adut Akech
Sudanese-Australian model Adut burst into the fashion scene last year when Saint Laurent booked her as an exclusive in its Spring Summer 2017 show. Since then, the 18-year-old has been shot for the world’s biggest fashion magazines, as well as walking in shows for Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, Prada and most recently, closing Chanel alongside Karl Lagerfeld.
13. Nicole Trunfio
Nicole, who was born in Western Australia, now resides in Los Angeles with her musician husband, Gary Clark Jr., and their two children. The 32-year-old won Australian television series Supermodel of Australia in 2002, before going on to walk for everyone from Chanel to Dolce & Gabbana to Gucci. She now runs her own successful business, jewellery line, Erth.
12. Robyn Lawley
29-year-old Robyn Lawley is Australia’s most well-known plus-size model, the first to ever appear in a campaign for Ralph Lauren and shot for some of the world’s biggest fashion magazines. In 2013, she penned an essay calling out the ‘thigh gap’ trend for being unhealthy and unnecessary.
11. Abbey Lee Kershaw
31-year-old model Abbey Lee Kershaw appeared in campaigns for the likes of Gucci and Versace before switching her focus from modelling to acting. In 2015, she appeared in blockbuster Mad Max: Fury Road, alongside Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron.
10. Victoria Lee
New South Wales-born model Victoria Lee got the call every model dreams of in mid-2017: she’d been confirmed to walk the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Instantly, the 27-year-old started getting likened to fellow Aussie and former-VS Angel Miranda Kerr, before becoming the newest face of David Jones, alongside Jess Gomes.
9. Elle Macpherson
One of the original ‘Supers’, Elle Macpherson was dubbed ‘The Body’ by Time magazine in 1989. 30 years later and age 54, Elle is still gracing magazine covers on the side of her successful lingerie line, Elle Macpherson Intimates.
8. Gemma Ward
Perth-born model Gemma Ward was scouted at age 14 and started walking runway shows a year later. After gracing many of the world’s biggest magazine covers and becoming a household name, Gemma took a break from modelling after the death of her close friend, Heath Ledger. In 2015, she successfully returned to the world of fashion.
7. Shanina Shaik
In 2011, Shanina Shaik became the fifth Australian to be cast in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. The Melbourne-born model’s career instantly skyrocketed and she now travels the world with modelling, has over 1.4m Instagram followers and has walked four (soon-to-be five) Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows.
6. Jennifer Hawkins
In 2004, Jennifer Hawkins became the first Australian to win Miss Universe. The blonde bombshell went on to become the face of Myer – she just departed the brand after a 12-year reign – start two successful brands, Cozi by Jennifer Hawkins swimwear and Jbronze tanning line, and host Australia’s Next Top Model.
5. Lara Worthington
NSW-born model and entrepreneur, Lara Worthington (nee Bingle), became famous worldwide after she starred in a global television ad for Australia’s Tourism Council. Since skyrocketing to fame, the now 31-year-old graced international magazine covers, became a face of Tiffany & Co. and founded The Base beauty.
4. Jessica Hart
Sydney-born model Jessica Hart won Dolly Magazine’s modelling competition in 2000 (the same competition that Miranda Kerr won three years earlier), before going on to be shot for Sports Illustrated and walk in the 2012 and 2013 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. The bombshell, known for her gap-tooth smile, went on to walk for Louis Vuitton and Dolce & Gabbana and model for various international high-fashion magazines.
3. Jessica Gomes
Perth-born beauty Jess Gomes, who is half Portuguese and half Singaporean Chinese, appeared in Sports Illustrated‘s swimsuit issue every year from 2008 to 2015. The David Jones ambassador is now a business owner, launching her beauty line, Equal Beauty, in 2017.
2. Miranda Kerr
Supermodel and entrepreneur, Miranda Kerr, was first discovered by Dolly Magazine‘s modelling competition in 1997, before going on to become a Victoria’s Secret Angel in 2007. Since 2008, the mother-of-two has consistently ranked on the Forbes list of highest earning models. In 2009, Miranda launched her own beauty line, Kora Organics.
1. Jesinta Franklin
In 2010, Jesinta Franklin (nee Campbell) won Miss Universe Australia, before going on to be placed second runner-up at Miss Universe. The Gold Coast-born beauty went on to become the face of David Jones, as well as shooting campaigns for the likes of Coach and Tiffany & Co.
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