They might have been born Down Under but these models have dominated catwalks around the world for more than a decade.
Ever since Elle Macpherson graced the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1986 (and again in 1987,1988, 1994 and 2006) the world has relied on Australia to produce tall, tanned and taut women to feature in the pages of magazines and on runways the world over.
While ‘The Body’ may have paved the way, many models have followed in her fashionable footsteps and so here, in no particular order, we pay homage to some of the most genetically-gifted women to call Australia home.
These sexy women all call Australia home.
‘The Body’ is one of the original supermodels and has been on the cover of Sports Illustrated a record five times.
Gemma Ward may have quit modelling after the passing of boyfriend Heath Ledger in 2008, but her career still remains the yardstick for so many models wishing to make it. Gemma was the face of the alien-chic in the mid-noughties and is still one of the youngest people ever appear on the cover of Vogue.
The current face of David Jones Jessica Gomes is of Portuguese and Singaporean Chinese heritage but the curvy Sports Illustrated favourite proudly calls Australia home.
Abbey Lee Kershaw was discovered by the Girlfriend magazine and has since built up an enviable resume modelling for brands like Prada, Gucci and Chanel.
Jessica Hart is also of magazine competition alumni. The gap-toothed model won the Dolly magazine search in 2000 and now bases herself in New York working for big brands the world over.
Celebrated as Australia’s answer to Cara Delevigne, Bambi Northwood-Blyth is the bushy-browed breakout style star of the Aussie modelling scene. In her short career the model racked up some serious catwalk miles with her work for Chanel, Armani and Marc Jacobs. Recently the 22-year-old brunette beauty married long-time love and Ksubi creator, Dan Single.
One of Australia’s most celebrated exports ever, feline-faced Catherine McNeil has worked with almost every big brand in Australia and overseas. At 24 years old McNeil has already had a career spanning a decade and it shows no signs of slowing down with the Aussie beauty booking an impressive 36 shows for the Spring 2014 season.
Nicole Trunfio is the long-limbed girl from WA who won Channel Ten’s ‘Search for a Supermodel’. The then-teenager made the gutsy move to New York to pursue her modelling dream in a decision that has definitely paid off. The Aussie bombshell has fronted lucrative campaigns for Chanel, Christian Dior and Lacoste and in a career move that comes full circle, Nic will be a mentor/judge on Fox 8’s new model search ‘The Face’.
Alyssa Sutherland’s ivory skin and strawberry blonde locks made her an instant fashion favourite in the early noughties. The 31-year-old fronted almost every fashion campaign in the country and was equally successful on the catwalks of Paris and Milan. The one time top model is now perusing an acting career in New York with bit parts in movies and TV shows.
Miranda Kerr rose to prominence in 2007 as one of the Victoria’s Secret Angels and became Hollywood hot property after her marriage to movie star, Orlando Bloom. Kerr has featured on numerous magazine covers, faced dozens of luxury campaigns and has recently secured a lucrative deal to be the global face of high street label, H&M.
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