Geelong’s next top models

Tamika Fawcett Picture: Paco Li

By Elissa Friday

They’re young, they’re gorgeous and they’re all from here. ELISSA FRIDAY meets four locals quickly finding their feet in modelling.

Name: Greer McLeod
Age: 21
Lives: Newtown
Work: Model, dental nurse.

How were you discovered?
Actually, Jacqui at Affinity model agency was my boyfriend’s mum and she asked me if I wanted to apply for a Danni Minogue at Target Petite range, modelling job. I was 18 at the time, I didn’t think I was going to get it, I’d never thought about modelling before because I thought I was too short.

Do you have a favourite fashion label?
I do like Kookai. I like simple clothes, nothing too crazy. I wouldn’t dress in bright colours.

What’s the most interesting shoot you’ve done so far?
Probably for the Target petite range, I really enjoyed it.

How do you stay in shape?
I’ve been going to F45 in Geelong West at least once a day doing mini-workouts, like push-ups followed by weights and so on.

Do you have a skin-care regime?
Mine’s pretty simple. I use organic face-wash because I have sensitive skin. Then I use a toner to remove all of what I didn’t get off with the face-wash and lastly I use a moisturiser.

Do have any wardrobe staples?
My black leather jacket, because I can wear it with dresses, skirts and jeans.

Name: Thomas Bruce Wright
Age: 18
Lives: Barwon Heads
Work: Modelling, fishing charter boat deckie.

How did you get discovered?
I was in Melbourne central with my family; the manager of the woman’s league at IMG scouted me. They called me a couple of days later and then I went to the agency in Sydney about a week later with my mum. I’m with IMG Models and signed with Giant Model Management in Melbourne about a year and a half later because it’s closer to home and they can get me more work in Melbourne.

Do you have a favourite fashion label?
Ksubi, it’s a general pants store, because there’s quite a lot of plain simple cool clothing that I like.

What’s the most interesting shoot you’ve done so far?
I did a shoot for Barney Cools, which was pretty fun, because they were all surfers and chilled out, and I like their clothes as well.

How do you stay in shape?
I just run mainly. I find running works best for me, two or three times a week on a track along the beach.

Do you have a skin-care regime?
Salt water helps with clearing up my skin when I go surfing. The salt water is really good for my skin.

Do have any wardrobe staples?
I like denim jackets with the fur collars, because they are something different and not too many people have them. They just look good and cool.

Name: Maddison Nicholls
Age: 22
Lives: Bellbrae Torquay
Work: Modelling, student, medical receptionist, support worker.

How did you get discovered?
I kind of fell into modelling. I was actually having coffee with a friend of mine and I bumped in Jacqui from Affinity Model Agency and she asked if I fit a certain size. Then went to the Cotton On Group for a fitting through the agency and it went really good. It was pretty easy. Now I am a fit model for Cotton On for three years now.
I started doing part-time modelling, because I’ve just finished my three-year nursing degree at Deakin in Geelong.

Do you have a favourite fashion label?
I like Cotton On and the ethics that come with it.

What’s the most interesting shoot you’ve done so far?
A year ago I did a photo-shoot with Rojo snow-ski-wear and have done about three of those shoots so far.

How do you stay in shape?
By trying to keep a decent diet and eating well. I also like to walk a lot.

Do you have a skin-care regime?
Yes I do. Every morning and night I use Skin Medica or Synergie products because they are professional products and they keep my skin looking bright. I used to have acne.

Do have any wardrobe staples?
My vintage blue denim jeans, because they fit well and they are an easy wear.

Name: Tamika Fawcett
Age: 20
Lives: Waurn Ponds
Work: Studying nursing and psychology degrees.

How did you get discovered?
I first did a few modelling jobs when I was about 14, and I got asked to do a shoot when I was 18 for Delphine and my modelling started from there, I was actually looking for acting work at the time and it kind of happened there. I am with Neon Model management which are Sydney and Melbourne based and work as a part-time model.

Do you have a favourite fashion label?
I think Isla is my favourite at the moment, there’s something really elegant about them and their clothes are really high quality.

What’s the most interesting shoot you’ve done so far?
I modelled for Tiger Mist during the middle of last year, and Talluah Le Maison, Stevie May Byron Bay and Ditzy Intimates. I liked working with the people the most, which was really fun.

How do you stay in shape?
Well, I like to eat healthily when I’m motivated to do so. I like running, I run a lot.

Do you have a skin-care regime?
Cetaphil is great. It just works for my skin. Clay face masks are good too, I use them at least once a week.

Do have any wardrobe staples?
My full-length blue denim overalls for sure – they’re just comfy.