From supermodel to supermum Aussie fashion queen Megan Gale’s iconic return to the spotlight

More than two decades after she first inked a deal with David Jones, Megan Gale has been signed as an ambassador for the department store giant.

Australia’s original supermodel Megan Gale is back.

Gale has been signed as an ambassador for David Jones, more than two decades after she first inked a deal with the department store giant.

In what has been an extraordinarily enduring business relationship, Gale was the face of David Jones from 2001 until 2013. She stepped back to start a family, returned to the fold briefly last year to mark the store’s 185th birthday, and now has signed a multi-year deal as David Jones brand ambassador.

“It was lovely to be approached and invited back; I think it is perfect timing, too,” Gale said.

“It was perfect timing when we hit pause and it gave me a really lovely opportunity to step into a new role of being a mum and sink myself into that, but it has been a decade now since we hit pause and I had always hoped there might be some kind of scope to work together in the future.

“I am really excited for what the next couple of years will hold.”

Model Megan Gale. Picture: Getty Images

While flattered by the term supermodel, Gale, who is engaged to former Richmond footballer Shaun Hampson, said she would rather be known as a supermum to her children, River and Rosie.

“It (supermodel) is an amazing compliment, but I just have to laugh because I just don’t think it applies to me,” she said.

“I think what I do that is more super is the way I wrangle my kids’ activities and remember that it is Harmony Day and they need to wear an orange shirt, or it is Gold Coin Donation Day, or I need to register them both for basketball because the cut off day is today, and I need to take them to swimming and ballet and gymnastics, and that it is someone’s birthday so I have to race out and get a present.

“Call me super for that.”

Gale’s signing by David Jones is reflective of a broader trend in fashion. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Signing with David Jones is not the only new role Gale has taken on this year — she has also been the team manager for her son’s basketball team in Melbourne.

“They are so great, but they are so busy,” she said of River, 10, and Rosie, 6.

“You are the chauffeur, you are the chef, you are organising the schedules, you are also helping out with homework, you are the team manager for the basketball team.

“At this age they are still not embarrassed to see me up at the school.”

Megan Gale with her husband, Shaun Hampson. Picture: Lucas Dawson

Gale says it’s wonderful to see the industry calling on older women. Picture: Tony Gough

Gale’s signing by David Jones is significant and is reflective of a broader trend in fashion which has seen the international supermodels of the 1990s and early 2000s such as Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Helena Christensen and Claudia Schiffer fronting luxury campaigns.

Gale has laughed off the term supermodel.

Gale models for David Jones in 2007. Picture: AFP

“Not to dismiss beautiful young things that are new to the game, they definitely have a role and a place to play in this industry, but I think it is wonderful if you can call upon women who have worked in the industry for years, who have experience, who have a broader understanding of space purely because they have been in it longer, and to utilise those skill sets,” Gale said.

“I feel like I am in that kind of a category now, so to be brought in and considered and not feel like you are past your use by date or that you don’t have relevance, it is really, really nice.

“I think other women that have grown up with me at David Jones, who are now mums and they are the same age as me, they are going to appreciate that too because they will feel represented and seen and all of those things that are really important.”

Gale models for David Jones in 2004.

Having also crafted an acting career which included roles in films such as Mad Max: Fury Road and Three Thousand Years of Longing during her hiatus from David Jones, Gale said she had not ruled out doing further movies.

“Never say never, I always keep my eyes open for projects,” Gale said.

“I would love to work with (director) George Miller again.

“It (acting) is something I get so much satisfaction from and it is so different from anything else that I do, so when the right thing comes along, and I do get to do it, it is a real treat.”

Gale’s first official appearance for David Jones will be a special Dolce & Gabbana event in Melbourne on September 5.