Modeling Journey

At the recent Fall/Winter 2011 shows, Australia emerged as a veritable goldmine for modelling talent with a slew of new Aussie models dominating the runways of New York, London, Milan and Paris. According to Wayne Sterling, the co-founder and editorial director of models.com, "clearly the modelling industry has fixated on Australia and New Zealand as an incredible new source for emerging faces. The results of great scouting speak for themselves and now Down Under stands as a Top 3 scouting resource alongside Holland and Russia."

Leading the Australian charge were established Australian models Abbey Lee Kershaw, Ajak Deng, Julia Nobis, Myf Shepherd, Bambi Northwood-Blyth, Annaleise Smith, Alice Burdeu and Lauren Smith. Newcomers Dempsey Stewart, Codie Young, Ruby Jean Wilson, Rose Smith, and Lydia Willemina Collins eclipsed the competition by landing exclusives left, right and centre, appearing in only the most blue chip of shows. Here is my rundown of five of modelling's most exciting new prospects.

Discovered while working in her mother's tattoo parlour, Sydney-sider Lydia Willemina Collins is represented by Ford Models and is of Dutch and Indonesian extraction. Collins has a cool, androgynous look that is as beguiling as her spectacular bone structure and piercing green eyes. Collins scored a Givenchy exclusive at the Fall/Winter 2011 shows.

Sunshine Coast beauty Codie Young amassed a staggering 39 shows in her debut season walking for  the likes of Chanel, Lanvin and Roberto Cavalli. Discovered at the age of sixteen whilst shopping with friends in April 2010, Young was swiftly signed to DNA Models in New York and landed a six month Australian Vogue exclusive. Young is now based in New York and lives with fellow DNA models Maud Welzen, Emily Baker and Jessica Clarke.

Hailing from Perth, Rose Smith of Next Models logged runway mileage at Chanel and Fendi and has already been photographed by Daniele Duella & Iango Henzi for V Magazine. In an interview for the Vine, Smith reveals that "I'm waiting for my American visa to be approved, and I'll be moving to NYC as soon as it is. In the meantime I am going to Paris to shoot an editorial. I'm definitely ready to make the move..."

Elite's Ruby Jean Wilson landed a trio of exclusives, appearing at Olivier Theyskens Theory in New York, at Giles Deacon in London and at Yves Saint Laurent in Paris, the latter for which she opened. Seventeen year old, Scottish-born Wilson caught the attention of casting directors Ashley Brokaw and Katie Grand, and is destined for a killer show season come September.

It was Perth's Dempsey Stewart who was the standout star of the Fall/Winter 2011 shows, walking in a total of 41 shows including Prada, Burberry and Louis Vuitton. Represented by Wilhelmina Models in New York, Eighteen year old Stewart was discovered in a local modelling competition and modelled extensively in Tokyo before her career took off internationally.

Runway-shy Claudia Schiffer has gone on record in an interview with Vogue UK as saying that "Designers are very clever at trying to persuade me to do it (fashion shows) each season and it's flattering that they do, but nothing would change my mind...Nothing, definitely." The recent Fall/Winter 2011 shows however saw the return of several other former catwalk godesses.

Supermodels Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Amber Valletta, all made return appearances to the runway at Louis Vuitton. Natalia Vodianova was seen at Givenchy and Hakaan, whilst Stella Tenant and Liya Kebede popped up at Balenciaga's Fall/Winter presentation. Carmen Kass showed off her moxie with a newly cropped bob at Michael Kors, Zac Posen and Isabel Marant, and Karolina Kurkova, Angela Lindvall, Erin Wasson and Isabeli Fontana also appeared in Michael Kors' runway extravaganza to celebrate his 30th year in the business. 

Chandra North made a welcome return to the runway at Reed Krakoff, however it was fellow model Danielle Zinaich who stole the show. Zinaich, who burst onto the modelling scene in the late nineties, was ubiquitous, appearing at Hakaan, Balmain, Chanel, Reed Krakoff, Michael Kors, Emanuel Ungaro, VPL and Louis Vuitton. Zinaich's unique, unadulterated beauty made her the cool girl of the season. Amidst a sea of newcomers, the return of Zinaich et al. serves as a reminder to us all of what it truly means to be Super...

Danish newcomer Josephine Skriver has had a Fall/Winter 2011 season that can only be described as impeccable. Seventeen year old Skriver captured the attention of casting director Russell Marsh at the pre-show castings and consequently walked in only the most prestigious of shows  including Calvin Klein, Prada, Gucci, Preen, Carlos Miele, Phillip Lim, Ruffian, Dolce & Gabbana, Emilio Pucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, Sportmax, Etro and Just Cavalli. Represented by Marilyn Model Management in New York, Skriver stands at 177 cm in height and has cobalt blue eyes, flawless skin and a pillowy pout. Skriver is one of the most exciting modelling prospects that I have seen in recent times. Blessed with angelic features, Skriver has the kind of natural, healthy looks and glow that the industry has been yearning for. When I look at Skriver, I get the same feeling that I got when I first laid eyes on Natalia Vodianova, Karolina Kurkova and Liya Kebede. Mark my word, this girl is going to be Major! 

Dutch model Marique Schimmel continues the dominance of models from the Netherlands at the Fall/Winter 2011 collections. Represented by Supreme in New York, Schimmel has strong features and a tomboyish charm that is in keeping with modelling's current preoccupation with androgyny. Represented by Supreme Model Management in New York, Schimmel stands at 178 cm in height and has an athletic, robust physique. Schimmel has emerged as the darling of the Fall/Winter 2011 shows, walking for a roster of blue chip clients including Proenza Schouler, Phillip Lim, Alexander Wang, VPL, Richard Nicoll, Roberto Cavalli, D'Squared, Missoni, Dolce et Gabanna, Marni, Anteprima and Prada. Modelling only since July 2010, Schimmel is currently being embraced for her androgynous appeal but I have no doubt that her undeniable beauty will not be overshadowed for long.