Iconic Aussie model Gemma Ward makes return to fashion industry

She is now 35 but one of Australia’s biggest names in the modelling world is back after 15 years away and some of the country’s biggest brands are queuing up for her services.

Two decades after being recognised as one of the world’s top models and 15 years after quitting the industry, Gemma Ward is back with a vengeance.

The 35-year-old mother of two is being snapped up by all our top brands to front their campaigns and runway shows – the latest being local success story AJE, which is celebrating its 15th birthday.

Gemma Ward is back modelling for AJE. Picture: Derek Henderson

Ward will front AJE’s resort collection, which goes live this week, with The Aje Collective’s Director-at-Large Edwina Forest saying the pairing is a match made in sartorial heaven.

“It was a natural synergy for us to partner with Gemma Ward as the face of our Resort Show and Campaign,” Forest said.

Gemma Ward quit the industry 15 years ago. Picture: Derek Henderson

Ward is one of the most successful Aussie models of all time. Picture: Derek Henderson

“Gemma really encapsulates the spirit of Aje, she’s feminine, strong, natural and beautiful. “Gemma is the Aje woman. It’s truly special to have her part of the Aje journey.”

Ward, who in recent months has worked for brands including CUE clothing, Burberry and Country Road, said of the chic label: “I have always admired Aje’s effortlessness, it’s such an iconic Australian fashion brand”.

TOZZI IN FIGHT FOR HAITI

Cheyenne Tozzi is a model on a mission.

The 34-year-old beauty is campaigning to raise money for the community in Haiti.

“We need $100,000 to build a medical centre on the island,” Tozzi told us.

“The land is currently vacant and it requires a hurricane proof, concrete structure housing a medical clinic with two to three rooms for exams, treatments and minor procedures.

“We need it to provide doctor’s offices and a room with 4 beds for patients returning from major and minor surgery.”

Cheyenne Tozzi. Picture Carlotta Moye

The mother of one, who began raising money and awareness for Haiti in 2016 after joining forces with the For You Haiti non profit organisation, will call the clinic the Dahlia clinic, after her five-year-old daughter.

“I gifted the land we had purchased to the people of the village of Anse a Galets,” she said.

“And little Dahlia is privy to quite intense images of the children and the desperate need of medical attention.

“And I think this is super important in this time we live to open the eyes of children and people in better positions to learn and help.”

Former Sydneysider Tozzi is one of our top models having been on the front of major magazines all around the world. She also appeared on Foxtel’s Australia’s Next Top Model.

ESBER MAKES HIS MARK ON PARIS

Christopher Esber has solidified his status as one of Australia’s mostly successful designers, making his debut at Paris fashion week.

A-list celebrities, renowned fashion critics and models sat front row at the Australian designer hugely anticipated Paris runway debut on Friday.

Singer Kelly Rowland and Aussie supermodel Shanina Shaik were among the huge names who watched Esber showcase his spring summer collection, with his signature cut-out dresses and oversized blazers on full display.

While Esber says Australia has always been his main focus, he previously told Vogue Austrlalia showing in Paris would be a dream come true.

“It’s been the dream for so long, and we applied last year and didn’t make it in,” he told the magazine.

Esber showed his spring summer collection after Chloe, Lanvin and Givenchy and before Rick Owens and Isabel Marant, proving he is well and truly among the world’s most popular and successful designers.

Christopher Esber is an Australian fashion brand that launched in 2010 and is a favourite among Hollywood stars including Margot Robbie and Zendaya.

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