Supermodel Ajak Deng returns as face of Melbourne Fashion Festival a decade after her debut

MELBOURNE supermodel Ajak Deng will come full circle when she returns home as the face of Melbourne Fashion Week — the event where she made her catwalk debut a decade ago.

MELBOURNE supermodel Ajak Deng has come full circle, returning home as the face of the upcoming Melbourne Fashion Week — the event where she made her catwalk debut a decade ago.

The 27-year-old Sudanese-Australian model, who has walked for Louis Vuitton, Jean Paul Gaultier and Valentino and featured in campaigns for Givenchy and Marc Jacobs, is excited to be back to support local designers and retailers.

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“This is where I started from day one. I finished my first show and set off for New York the next day,” she says.

“Coming back as an ambassador will be a different perspective.”

International model Ajak Deng towers above the city buildings ahead of Melbourne Fashion Week. Picture: David Caird

Deng sensationally announced she was quitting modelling 18 months ago, saying she “can no longer deal with the fakes and lies”.

But she says feedback from colleagues and others within the industry led to a rethink on her behalf.

“I changed my mind because I want diversity in the industry. Every woman deserves to be included because every woman is beautiful,” Deng says.

“I thought I was a good example of that. I hope to inspire young women.”

Diversity will be promoted and celebrated during MFW with Deng joined by curvy model Stefania Ferrario and social media personalities Kristy Wu and Thomas Davenport, as ambassadors for the event.

Now in its 23rd year and formerly known as Melbourne Spring Fashion Week, the event was launched by Lord Mayor Robert Doyle today.

Models Kristy Wu, Ajak Deng, Stefania Ferrario and Thomas Davenport launch Melbourne Fashion Week. Picture: David Caird

“We wanted to capture the very essence of Melbourne so we renamed it Melbourne Fashion Week,” he says.

“The new creative direction of MFW corresponds with Melbourne’s global reputation as the country’s leading destination for the best in local and international fashion and retail.

Melbourne Fashion Week celebrates and showcases our local industry with 85 per cent of the content being from Melbourne and Victoria.

The industry-led program presents premium runway experiences featuring local and national brands, independent labels, as well as new and up-and-coming designers.

MFW has partnered with Vogue Australia to bring Vogue American Express Fashion’s Night Out to Melbourne, kicking off in Bourke St Mall on September 1 as part of MFW’s opening night celebrations.

Melbourne Fashion Week runs September 1 to 8.

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