Cult swimwear brand ARK hosts modelling competition on Bondi beach

Are you the next Miranda Kerr or Jessica Hart? A Sydney swimwear company is looking for the next big name in modelling this weekend. See how to apply.

Models Shannon Lawson and Natalie Roser. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Australian modelling competitions have launched the careers of some of the world’s best-known models, and cult swimwear brand ARK is trying to discover our next big name.

The Northern Beaches company is holding an open casting call this Sunday at North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club to find yet another Aussie beauty for their next campaign.

Internationally successful models Shannon Lawson and Natalie Roser will act as mentors and judges, hosting a live Q&A, and will interview 2022’s winner Masha Basman about the work she’s had since, for the likes of Stax, Assembly The Label, Style Runner, and Aly.

“The most common questions we get are: How do you stay confident? How do you take care of your body? And how do you deal with judgment and rejection?” Roser, 32, told Confidential.

“The answer is tough skin, and practice.”

Models Natalie Roser and Shannon Lawson at Milk Beach in Sydney. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

That’s something Roser, who was discovered in the Girlfriend Magazine Model Search at the age 13, has had plenty of.

“It comes with age, mainly,” former Survivor contestant Lawson added.

The industry has had its own makeover since both women launched their careers.

Ark founder Renee Kirby said she’s looking for a wide range of body types and sizes, and gender-diverse models.

“Handling rejection in 2023 is about realising it’s never based on who you are as a person, and it doesn’t mean you’re not beautiful,” Roser said. “Your hair might be too long for the clip they want to sell. It might be something really simple, and not something that you have to change.”

The glossy magazine cover girl added that as a judge, she’ll be looking for innate confidence and passion: “We took a risk and started our careers with something like this.

Talent agents don’t necessarily walk around Musselbrook. So if you’re willing to come down, it could change your life.”

Pre-registration for the competition is open online, and every entrant will have their picture taken and walk the runway.