Bridget Malcolm: more than just a pretty face

SINCE being scouted in her hometown of Perth aged 14, Bridget Malcolm has climbed the ranks of the fashion world and will walk the Victoria’s Secret runway next month.

Rebecca Vallance dress, $1229, Seafolly bikini top and briefs, $110 each, Sarah & Sebastian earrings,$580, and chain bracelet, $295, Karen Walker bangle, $1139, ASOS socks (worn throughout), $13, tommy Hilfiger shoes, POA. Pictures: Sylve Colless

THERE’S a fine line between model and supermodel, and Bridget Malcolm is close to crossing it. On the set of Stellar’s shoot, the crew is mesmerised by the 25-year-old Aussie as she moves gracefully from pose to pose, nailing each and every frame.

Since being scouted in her hometown of Perth aged 14, Malcolm has steadily climbed the ranks of the fashion world. She’s just been called up to walk the Victoria’s Secret runway next month for a second time, and she’s the face of Seafolly’s summer campaign. “I grew up seeing the ‘Seafolly girl’ — Miranda [Kerr] and Jess [Hart] — so it’s cool to be a part of it,” she says. “It’s a huge honour.”

Malcolm wears Michael Kors jacket, POA, Anna Quan shirt, $300, Seafolly bikini top and briefs, $110 each.

But instead of indulging in fame, Malcolm is intent on being a good role model to young women, giving advice on everything from relationships to body image on her blog. “Looking up to models is cool and all, but I’ve never really understood it,” she says. “I guess that’s what has made me want to prove I’m someone worth looking up to.”

Georgia Alice top, $409, UNIF crop top (worn underneath), $158, Seafolly bikini briefs, $140, Lucy Folk bracelets, $175 each.

Tommy Hilfiger dress POA, Seafolly bikini top $110, Sarah & Sebastian earrings, $580.

Perhaps it was Malcolm’s experience last year, when she was trolled on social media, that inspired her to help others. “Whether it’s fat- or skinny-shaming, it’s such a superfluous thing to do to someone. It’s so irrelevant to who they are as a person,” she says.

Trelise Cooper top, $499, MLM top (worn underneath), $169, Seafolly swimsuit, $220, Salvatore Ferragamo x Sara Battaglia bag, $3190.

Zimmermann blouse, $450, Seafolly dress, $140, Sandro Paris knit (around waist), $390, Teva shoes, $80.

Malcolm manages to stay grounded with interests outside of fashion. Ask the former ballerina about classical music or books and she’ll happily talk your ear off. After high school, she had to choose whether to pursue modelling in New York or play oboe at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. “I was like, ‘I can’t believe I’m trying to decide between being a classical musician and a model,’” she laughs. “What sort of first-world problem is that?”

With Malcolm’s schedule jam-packed with jobs all over the world, it’s safe to say she made the right choice.

Photography Sylve Colless

Styling Gemma Keil

Originally published as Bridget Malcolm: more than just a pretty face