The next generation of models and influences about to grace Australia’s magazine front pages

These are the fresh faces gracing glossy magazines and catwalks — and these aspiring models are all based in Victorian.

Every year a new crop of fresh faces grace the glossy pages of Australia’s fashion magazines.

They represent all manner of race, religion, size and ability — increasinly they represent modern Australia.

Chadwick Models director Matthew Anderson shed some light on how the industry had changed and continued to evolve.

“We used to literally have to go out to shopping centres or movie theatres and actively scout for models,” he said.

“Now, by the time a fit, tall, good looking kid is entering their teens, they’ve been told ‘you should be a model’ a handful of times — that just didn’t happen 20 years ago.

“We still go and ‘scout,’ but we are fortunate that Chadwick is recognised as a well-founded, professional agency, so most of the time hopeful models will find us before we find them.”

Mr Anderson said modelling was more and more becoming a “mainstream” career path, so agencies had to follow trends and what the advertising market was asking for.

“In the past number of years the demographic of models sought after has broadened substantially,” he said.

“One factor influencing this change was the Covid lockdowns. When online shopping boomed, people at home were more in tune to what advertisers were reflecting back to them — this was definitely a wake up for retailers and they had to rethink who their audience was.”

Despite social media creeping into our everyday lives more and more, Mr Anderson said there was a specific ‘it factor’ that not everyone had.

“Social media hasn’t changed who can be a good model or not,” he said.

“What is has done, is open up a whole different market. Social media lives within modelling, it does not compete with it.

“A good model will always be a good model — a social media presence is inconsequential. Also a good influencer doesn’t need to be a model either.”

Mr Anderson said most of the time, modelling and influencing stayed in their own lanes.

“When you do find someone doing both very well and authentically, they may as well have a licence to print money,” he said.

“That said, it’s not just a case of wanting to do it. If you can’t do it naturally there will not be longevity because fake is unattractive no matter how many filters you put over it.”

For those looking to break into the industry, Mr Anderson encouraged people to “stop saying yes to brands that approach you and want to give you free products for unpaid work”.

“It happens very commonly and frankly, you are being used. Legitimate clients and agencies all know at a glance who is ‘working for free’,” he said.

“It devalues you.”

Australian advertisers have woken from a “long slumber”, Mr Anderson said, and have started making campaigns that actually reflect the nation.

“We are a culturally diverse nation and have been for decades,” he said.

“Outdated and cringy ‘Aussie’ stereotypes just don’t sell. It remains a surprise to me why it took so long for advertisers to get where we are but the future is looking very positive.”

With Australia’s cultural diversity beginning to be reflected back to us, it’s no surprise that the next generation of models also mirror that.

Leader has compiled a list of the rising stars of Australian modelling agencies who are the future of our front pages.

Ajok Madel

Hailing from Perth, Ajok Madel was born in a Kenyan refugee camp, before moving to Australia with her family.

The South Sudanese model has already cultivated an impressive portfolio, modelling for brands such as McQueen, Burberry and Tom Ford,

Represented by Vivien’s Models in Melbourne, Ajok has started making her mark on the fashion world, having already appeared in the pages of Harper’s Bazaar US.

With her striking face and clear talent, you are sure to be seeing more of Ajok in the future.

Alison McNamara

Alison McNamara has steadily been on the rise in the Australian fashion industry, getting her start in the beauty world as a pageant queen.

Based in Melbourne, Alison has already appeared in campaigns for well-loved Australian brands including MECCA, Frank Body and Hairhouse Warehouse.

With Vietnamese heritage, Alison has broken through Western beauty ideals to make a name for herself both here and in the Asian market.

She is an established content creator in Instagram and TikTok, and continues to grow both her portfolio and influence.

Benjamin Charles

Benjamin Charles is a Melbourne-based model represented by Vivien’s Agency.

With a shock of platinum blonde hair and memorable face, Benjamin is an up-and-coming star in Australian fashion.

Felix Mallard

Better known for his role in the hit Netflix series Ginny and Georgia, Felix Mallard has been described as more ‘heart throb’ than supermodel.

A Melbourne native, Felix has continued to showcase his many talents, appearing in campaigns for David Jones and luxury Swiss watch brand Omega.

Not a stranger to the fashion industry, Felix attended a recent show for Giorgio Armani.

Likely to be gracing both Australian magazines and TV screens, Felix has earned a spot among this generation of Australian talent.

Harmony Boucher

Sharing her time between Melbourne and Adelaide, Harmony Boucher is another multi-talented face entering the pages of Australian fashion magazines.

Represented by Vivien’s Agency, Harmony has walked in campaigns for Gucci and Calvin Klein Jeans.

No stranger to the Australian media, Harmony’s androgynous appearance makes her a sure bet in the future of Australian fashion.

Alastair Kirk

A face at home in Myer and Levi’s campaigns, Alastair Kirk has started to make waves in Australia’s fashion industry.

Based in Melbourne, the striking male model has appeared in both digital campaigns and the catwalk.

Anika Petter

Anika Petter is another young, female model breaking down barriers for plus-sized women in the fashion industry.

Represented by Brooklyn MGMT, she is sure to take fashion magazines by storm.

Ajith Abraham

Melbourne-based model Ajith Abraham has fronted campaigns for popular shoe brand Birkenstock and streetwear giant Champion.

A rising star in Australian fashion, Ajith is a strong representative for young black models looking to make a name for themselves.

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