A move back to Australia, a baby, a re-energised career and a Jaguar deal have put Gemma Ward back in driver’s seat

A MOVE back to Australia, a baby, re-energised career and a lucrative sponsorship deal have put Gemma Ward back in the driver’s seat

Surprise new gig for model Gemma Ward

JAGUAR has announced Australian model-turned-actor Gemma Ward as it news brand ambassador.

The enigmatic Ward became the youngest model to appear on the cover of the American edition of Vogue and later appeared on the covers of both Teen Vogue and Time. Back then, during her prime from 2003 until 2008, she was trumpeted for her ‘alien-like’ and ‘baby-doll, wide-eyed features and was the one model every international designer wanted on their runways.

Now, over ten years on, she has a much more low-key life a move to Byron Bay on the cards with her two-year-old daughter Naia and partner David Letts in tow.

Ward’s rat race days may be behind her, but her penchant for luxury brands certainly aren’t.

“I have been very fortunate to work with luxury brands from my early modelling days so I am incredibly aware of quality and the time and effort taken into producing things that are seen as luxurious,’’ Ward told news.com.au.

Ward is collaborating with the prestigious British carmaker and will be cruising around in the new Jaguar XE, which the company has touted as the most advanced, efficient and refined sports sedan that it has ever produced.

“I just have to make sure I don’t put my foot down too hard as with a car like this it has such an ease and elegance about it and suddenly you could be driving very, very fast,” Ward said.

“Jaguar to me is all about great style and design, and I’m delighted to be named as an ambassador for what is still such an iconic English brand.”

Jaguar’s marketing spiel said that the new XE “redefines the concept of the sports sedan and is the driver’s car in its class. Its lightweight construction, streamlined styling, luxurious interior and outstanding ride and handling are testament to the company founder Sir William Lyons’ vision.”

Aside from modelling, Ward’s first major acting role was in the 2007 Australian film The Black Balloon, and she has since also appeared in horror film The Strangers and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.

“I’ve been very fortunate to pack a lot in so far and have plans to start an online store but that is all the early stages and with my daughter, I can see it potentially focusing on elements of kidswear,” adds Gemma.

But at the moment cars are her thing. And she sounds pretty happy with that.

You can follow Melissa on Instagram and Twitter @melissahoyer

Originally published as A move back to Australia, a baby, a re-energised career and a Jaguar deal have put Gemma Ward back in driver’s seat