How fresh faces were plucked from crowd to make Australian Fashion Week

It’s like a scene from a movie – you’re walking through the crowd at a concert or on your way to work when you’re tapped on the shoulder by a model scout. Next thing you are one of the stars of Australian Fashion Week.

It’s like a scene from a movie – you’re walking through the crowd at a concert or on your way to work when you’re tapped on the shoulder by a model scout.

That’s what happened to these ordinary Aussies – now these fresh faces hope to strut the runway in Fashion Week which kicks off on Monday. IMG Models co-managing director Kiki Minter tells Insider it’s all about finding ‘that’ unique look.

“Something different that makes them stand out from the crowd,” she says.

“As model managers, it becomes second nature and we often aren’t actively ‘scouting’ when we stop someone. It could be at the grocery store or at the markets on the weekend when we see someone that we can’t look away from. It’s impossible to define exactly one trait, but generally there is that something special we know will capture the industry’s attention the way it captured ours. “

IMG Model's Kiki Minter.

Coffs Harbour teenager Lilli Cummings was at a Harry Styles concert in Sydney last year when she was stopped by an IMG Models scout. After finishing school she moved to Sydney and spent a few months in development before heading to Europe in February. She made her debut for Prada and went on to walk for Saint Laurent and Valentino.

“This all happened within the space of a year of being scouted by IMG Models and it was a career she’d never thought of pursuing,” she says.

“We’ve scouted many potential models over the years, however we don’t sign everyone we stop. Being a successful model takes a lot of hard work, persistence and it often takes time to build a career.”

SAMANTHA JOY CHAMPNESS

QUEENSLAND

Samantha Joy Champness.

Queensland 18-year-old Samantha Joy Champness was at the Ekka last year when she was tapped on the shoulder.

“Honestly it was such a surreal experience that you really never expect to happen to you until it actually does,” she says.

“I was walking through a massive crowd of people with my friends when I felt someone tap on my shoulder and say ‘excuse me’ – it was Kiki from IMG models. She asked me if I had modelled before and what my name and age was.

“She was so lovely and kind. She gave me her business card and asked for my parents to give her a call.

“I was a little confused at first and thought it wasn’t real, to be honest.

“On the way home I called my family. Immediately they were super excited – from that moment on I realised how massive of an opportunity this was and immediately knew that this was meant to be.

“This being my first fashion week season, I am really just excited to experience everything and start to make connections in the industry! I’m so excited for everything to come.

“I had always dreamt of an opportunity like this and here I am … I just feel so excited and ready to experience everything and make amazing relationships in this industry.”

NOAH CONNOR

MATRAVILLE

Noah Connor.

Matraville bartender Noah Connor, 18, says being discovered at music festival Splendour in the Grass was totally unexpected.

“I was covered in mud when someone from IMG gave me their business card – I didn’t really know what to think as modelling was really something I never considered, but was super excited to get into it,” he says.

“It has changed my life a lot already.

“I was living in Byron Bay working in construction, and now I live in Sydney and have been introduced to amazing new experiences.

“I’ve made some new friends and am having fun just enjoying it as it comes.

“I am hoping to walk in this year’s Australian Fashion Week. At this stage it’s too early for me to know what I’ve confirmed.

“I love getting to meet new people and spend time with so many creatives. I’m not bothered by the competition, I’m just here to have fun and make the most of this opportunity.”

CHLOE BRUNELLI

BRISBANE

Chloe Brunelli. Picture: Damian Shaw

Brisbane 18-year-old Chloe Brunelli was scouted at a Dua Lipa concert in 2022, in a moment she says felt like it was meant to be. She was flown to Sydney by Pandora for its Fashion Week castings and will walk in the brand’s closing show on Friday.

“I had already become so interested in the world of fashion and modelling that year that it seemed like fate,” she says.

“When I was a child I really wanted to become a model, but hadn’t really thought of it again until the year I got scouted. This time last week I had only met IMG for the first time and 24 hours later I was on a plane coming to attend Fashion Week castings. I can’t wait to see where it takes me.”

MACKINLEE SWART

BROOKLYN

Mackinlee Swart and Leif Sbrocchi. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Brooklyn 18-year-old Mackinlee Swart was first discovered back in Darwin when she was 16, working at her local McDonald’s when am IMG scout went through the drive through.

“I wasn’t sure what to think at first, I thought it could be a bit of a joke or just nothing too serious,” she says.

“But otherwise it was just really nice to think that someone thought I had the potential to be a model because it definitely doesn’t happen to everyone.

“Because I’ve lived in Darwin until this year, it was never something I thought about because the demand for models up there is pretty much non-existent, and we don’t have too much of a fashion industry either.

“It’s very intimidating, there are a lot of models who are very experienced and great at what they do, but it’s also such a privilege to have this opportunity that not many people get.

“I absolutely love travelling and it would be a dream to go around the world for work.”

LEIF SBROCCHI

CENTRAL COAST

Central Coast 17-year-old Leif Sbrocchi was at a Harry Styles concert when a scout approached her friend's mum and called her over.

“I didn’t know what to think – I spent the whole concert in disbelief,” she says.

“I always thought of it as a cool idea or fantasy but I never thought it would actually happen.

“It would be a dream to walk this Fashion Week but as I am still new to the whole industry so I’m just grateful to be going to castings and gaining experience in the industry.

“It’s a bit of an ego boost, to be honest.

“I was always insecure as a kid but being scouted has made me a lot more confident in myself.

“My goal is to travel the world with modelling – see new places, meet new people and experience everything I can.”

EDEN DANIEL WALSH

CAMMERAY

Eden Daniel Walsh.

Cammeray 19-year-old Eden Daniel Walsh was scouted on August 26 last year – he remembers the date because it’s one he’ll never forget.

“I was in Sydney for a five-day trip with my cousin as he would leave to play basketball in Michigan at the end of the holiday. We decided to trek down to a vintage clothing event in Marrickville, but on arrival we realised the line would be hours long, so with our spirits diminished we began our journey home,” he says.

“While on the bus home we spotted the bustling Glebe Markets and decide to check it out. “While heading for the entrance, I was stopped by a group of stunningly attractive people who asked if I’d ever thought of modelling.

“It felt like a fairytale.

“Being signed with IMG is the chance of a lifetime and the escape I’d always dreamt of.

“In Perth – the most isolated major city in the world – opportunities such as this are scarce so trying to be successful is intimidating.

“Being apart of Australian Fashion Week for the first time is thrilling, daunting and totally magical.

“I’m hoping to walk my first show during AFW, it’s the goal of hundreds of models that fly in from across the world to be here. It would be a dream come true for me.”

AYDEN VAN HAAFTEN

DENNISTONE

Ayden Van Haaften.

Denistone gardener Ayden Van Haaften was having a nice day out with his mum – they’d been at the museum and he was on his way back to the bus stop when he was stopped by a rep from IMG Paris, who asked if he was a model.

“I said no and he then asked if I was interested in modelling, I said yes and he gave me his card, then it went from there,” he tells Insider.

“My whole life feels like it’s changed. I spend my days going to photo shoots, castings, meeting other models and people in the industry – I feel like I won the lottery. I would love to walk in Fashion Week, since becoming a model it’s become a dream of mine.

“Everything can be quite last minute in the industry so I’m not sure who I’ll be walking for yet but I’m pretty confident I have landed a few shows.

“As a model my goal is to go overseas and walk in Paris – especially for Louis Vuitton.”

AUSRALIAN FASHION WEEK - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Opening Show Designer:

Marina Afonina

Albus Lumen

By the numbers

Returning designers: 28

New designers: 12

First Nations Designers: 6

New Zealand designers: 1

Consumer events and programming: 14

Total number of runway shows: 36

Total number of events: 55

New Designer Highlights:
Amy Lawrance, Emily Watson, House of Campbell, MASTANI, madre natura, Potirakis, Rory
William Docherty, Third Form, VIKTORIA & WOODS.

Returning Designer Highlights:

Acler, Albus Lumen, Alix Higgins, all is a gentle spring, Beare Park, BEC + BRIDGE, Carla Zampatti, Liandra, P.E Nation, Romance Was Born.

Consumer Runway Shows:
Carla Zampatti, Acler, Romance Was Born, David Jones Indigenous Fashion Projects Runway, Pandora Closing Show.

The winners of Next Gen:

Australian Fashion Week’s emerging designer program presented by DHL, will make their runway debut on Monday at 11am.

Visiting international retailers:

Include Net-a-Porter, Le Bon Marche, Revolve, Moda Operandi, Harvey Nichols Kuwait, Tryano Stores (UAE).

Bec & Bridge has shown 16 times:

All the cool kids and top influencers expected to attend the Bec and Bridge show.

Big Shows with large capacity:

Albus Lumen (opening show), Carla Zampatti, Bec & Bridge – P.E Nation.

Biggest production:

Is likely to be P.E Nation. Its founder Pip Edwards never does anything by halves. This is also the first time Edwards has shown without her fellow co-founder Claire Graves, who stepped away from the brand earlier this year after a 10-year partnership with Edwards. They have invited 640 fashionista’s and have a 40m runway which they will send 40 models down. This year they will apparently really be representing the ‘nation’ in the label’s name.

Most anticipated show:

Would have to be Albus Lumen, with Sydney’s A-list style set to descend on Carriageworks for designer Marina Afonina’s opening show.