Cindy Vogels, Brea Martin speak on Gympie Qld French magazine shoot

Find out what comes next for the two rising stars from Gympie who had a ‘whirlwind’ week to become the hottest topic in the nation with their little patch of heaven dubbed the “Paris of Australia”.

Cindy Vogels (inset left) Brea Martin (inset right) and a shot from their fashion shoot at Gympie which was published in two French fashion magazines.

Stylist Cindy Vogels and photographer Brea Martin wanted to give a group of Gympie youths a taste of what big city fashion and arts can fee like.

What they did was make the city the hottest topic in the nation.

Their work, published in French fashion magazines Moevir and Malvie, catapulted the duo and the region into the spotlight on Tuesday and led to it being dubbed in some corners as the “Paris of Australia”.

Ms Vogels said the project was created to “give our regional teens an experience that would generally only happen in a major city”.

The pair undertook the shoot, pitched their projects to the international magazines, and scored a win when they were accepted.

The shoots, which were published in late 2023, took a little time to gain traction in Australia.

But this week it not only caught hold, but took off like a wildfire after their appearance on Channel 9’s Today Show.

Ms Martin said what followed was a “whirlwind” with it growing “more momentum and gained more attention than ever expected”, drawing tens of thousands of comments and shares across social media.

The shoot was done at two popular new businesses in the centre of Gympie, The Dolly and Oats, and Play Back Gympie. Photos by Brea Martin.

“For that we both feel extremely grateful,” she said.

It was also a huge feather in the cap of their young models, Arielle Astill, Justin O’Mara, Imogen Winkley and Shae Holliday.

“It’s thrown people into a state of disbelief,” Ms Vogels said.

Ms Martin said there had been “humour in the headlines” but at its heart the shoot, and its success, was a gold star for the region and its residents.

“It’s been (a story) of a celebration of diversity and acceptance in youth and culture in Gympie region,” she said.

Stylist Cindy Vogels said the shoot, and its publication overseas, showed something of “international level” was easily possible in the regional Queensland city. Photos by Brea Martin.

Ms Vogels said the project had been designed to “

“Our young people struggle so much here sadly if they stand out in ways not traditional … the published pages in two French fashion magazines certainly tips those traditions over in a brilliant and hopeful way.”

Despite being an international showcase the shoot had not lost Gympie’s charm.

Ms Vogels said it merged the best of both worlds.

The shoot took a country vibe and “pumped up the volume with bright colours and prints”, Ms Vogels said. Photos by Brea Martin.

“We … took the country look with wide brimmed cowboy style hats, and pumped up the volume with bright colours and prints.”

The entire wardrobe had been handmade by the stylist at Gympie, whose extensive body of work has included a handmade hat worn by Lady Gaga.

The duo were thrilled and thankful for their young stars of the shoot and two of the city’s most popular new businesses, The Dolly and Oats, and Play Back Gympie, for their help making it reality.

It was intended to be only the start.

“We look forward to growing the project and working with more young people including hair stylists and make-up artists too this year,” Ms Vogels said.

“We’re smashing the status quo and it’s positive.

“I adore Gympie and my creative community, life here is what you make it.”