Models Oli Morwood, Saxon Heldon, Noah Dore scouted on the Gold Coast
Three local boys are making waves in the modelling industry, including one who was scouted at Schoolies and has swapped the streets of the Gold Coast for the catwalk in Paris and Berlin.
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Oli Morwood came to Schoolies for a big break, but he never expected to be tipped as the next male supermodel.
The Gold Coast-born teen has now swapped the streets of Surfers Paradise for the Paris catwalk after he was scouted during last year’s school-leavers festival.
Making his runway debut in the Emporio Armani Spring/Summer 2026 show at Milan Fashion Week, the 18-year-old has been described as the next Jordan Barrett, the world’s highest paid male model who was first discovered at The Pines Shopping Centre.
But Oli is not alone, with a band of brothers from the Coast, including Noah Dore and Saxon Heldon, making waves in the modelling industry, appearing in Paris and then Berlin Fashion Weeks.
Model scout Kirk Blake said the three boys were bringing attention to the homegrown talents of southeast Queensland.
Mr Blake said he had stopped in at Surfers Paradise every year for the past decade to seek out fresh faces.
“I’ve been coming here for Schoolies for the past 10 years and that’s where I’ve found some amazing faces, but it takes a special look to be scouted. I’m lucky if I find 10 new faces a year,” said Mr Blake, who discovered Jordan Barrett when he was only 13.
“Oli was the only one from this Schoolies — as soon as I saw his face I just thought, he’s got it. He could be the next Jordan.
“He’s the complete package. He has the most amazing eyes, mouth, bone structure, everything is balanced. His face is so incredibly symmetrical and he has the exact height we love.
“There’s something very ethereal about him too. He has that elegant sort of Cary Grant look, he’s perfect for Armani and Ralph Lauren.
“Like (models) Simon Nessman or Sean O’Pry … he’s just got ‘it’. Not everyone has their debut show with a top-tier designer, but when you look at him you understand.”
Mr Blake said Noah Dore, whose parents were based in Burleigh, was another local success story, walking for Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and Hugo Boss while booking major brand campaigns in Australia, including Academy and Assembly labels.
He said Saxon Heldon was working in Dubai, London, Germany and Milan.
“The three boys are very different and are on different pathways in the industry but they really complement each other,” he said.
“They’re also a credit to their families and to the Gold Coast and Australia, really.
“I’ve had so many agents around the world say to me, ‘How did you find these kids?’ Because they’re just really nice, sweet boys who are smart, healthy and can sell a look.
“They’re also really resilient, and you have to be because this industry can be brutal. You have to have real mental strength to front up to these fashion weeks because they’re like the modelling Olympics. If you win gold, if you go on to the big campaigns, you can make your fortune.”
Mr Blake said he would be scouting this weekend on the Sunshine Coast but regularly was on the lookout at Pacific Fair and Burleigh Heads beach.
Read the full interview in Saturday’s Gold Coast Bulletin.
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