Transgender model Andreja Pejic newest face of Bonds campaign

She has modelled for Jean Paul Gaultier, Marc Jacobs, Prabal Gurung, Michalsky and Rosa Clara. Now Andreja Pejic can add Bonds to her portfolio after becoming the first transgender model to front the Aussie icon’s underwear campaign.

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Andreja Pejic says becoming the first transgender model to front a Bonds undies campaign is a “celebration of my womanhood”.

“I just can’t believe that I am a Bonds girl, that is insane actually,” Pejic told The Sunday Telegraph from New York.

“I feel really lucky. I could never have imagined being in this position.

“I was a war refugee from an eastern European country with a single mother growing up in the working class suburbs.

“I was raised different, I was pretty nerdy in high school and spent all my time in the library reading.

“So the idea of becoming a Bonds girl was never on my mind.”

Maia Cotton and Andreja Pejic from the Bonds Intimately campaign. Picture: Supplied

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Pejic fronts the new Bonds Intimately campaign alongside a diverse bunch of women including Victoria’s Secret model Maia Cotton, diversity advocate Shanaya Peters and Madeleine Hunt.

She was born in Tuzla in the former Yugoslavia and her mother emigrated to Australia in 2000.

The 27-year-old has been based in the United States for several years after being told as a young model she would not find work in Australia.

She has worked with the likes of Jean Paul Gaultier, Marc Jacobs, Prabal Gurung, Michalsky and Rosa Clara.

She made her Hollywood film debut last year in The Girl In The Spider’s Web.

“I was told by my agent at the time — and they were probably right — I should pursue a career in high fashion instead of staying in Australia,” said Pejic, who was scouted as a model at the age of 17 when she worked at McDonald’s.

Pejic said becoming the first transgender model to front a Bonds undies campaign is a “celebration of my womanhood”. Picture: Supplied

Pejic was scouted as a model at 17 while working at McDonald’s. Picture: Supplied

“Australia likes a more commercial beachy girl and I was just never going to fit into that commercial context so I think this shows times have changed for a company like this to hire me and give me this opportunity.

“To do a campaign like this shows we are in a different place than we were seven years ago.”

More broadly of her career, Pejic explained she had always sought to “achieve big things”.

“I opened my heart and my story to the world because I felt it was important and there was a responsibility to do that.

Ruby Rose, Kelly Gale, Samara Weaving, Rachael Taylor and Miranda Kerr modelling for Bonds. Picture: Supplied

“I am just happy to finally feel like I am coming home in a way and finally feel like Australia is a place where I can fit in and I can work.”

Bonds head of marketing Emily Small said: “The influential women in our new Bonds Intimately campaign have qualities that we respect and honour, women who are confident, proud and enjoy celebrating who they are.

“They have their own unique story and are each a powerful force in championing a brave and universal approach to life, which reflects Bonds core values.”