Top 10 Up-and-Comers to Watch in the Modelling Industry

Brendan Mayanja

Image: Brendon Instagram

Agency: Alice.D Agency

Pronoun/s: They/them

Instagram Handle: @brendonmayanja

“The number one thing that I would have wanted to hear when I was growing up, is take your time. There’s no ‘time stamp’ on self-acceptance.” 

Brendan is an androgynous model based in Melbourne. They are making waves in front of and behind the camera.

Image: Brendon Instagram

Rowena Xi Kang

Image: Rowena Instagram

Agency: Chadwick Models

Pronoun/s: She/Her

Instagram Handle: @rowenaxikang

Rowena has been featured in Vogue on multiple occasions and was named as one of Vogue Australia’s future faces.

Image: Rowena Instagram

Ayla Peterson

Image: Ayla Instagram

Agency: Kult Australia

Pronoun/s: She/Her

Instagram Handle: @_aylah_

Aylah began modeling at the age of 15 but decided to call it quits after highschool. Fast Forward a couple of years later when a backyard haircut propels her into model stardom!

Peterson has since been signed by Kult Models and was named as one of Vogue Australia’s future faces.

Image: Ayla Instagram

Abeny Nhial

Image: Abeny Instagram

Agency: Priscillas 

Pronoun/s: She/her 

Instagram Handle: @abenynhial

Abeny is an incredible Australian model, and with only a couple of years under her belt she is fast becoming a household name. 

When asked if she had any advice for new models she responded “To be honest I haven’t been modelling for long, but my advice would be just to be yourself, be kind to everyone (and yourself) & build a strong mindset.”

Image: Abeny Instagram

Jëssica Vandër Lëahy

Image: Jessica Instagram

Agency: Chic Management

Pronoun/s: She/her

Instagram Handle: @jessicavanderleahy

Jessica is crazy talented, not only is she a model she’s also a writer, body positive activist, and founder of Project Womankind, an initiative dedicated to celebrating women from all walks of life.

Image: Jessica Instagram

Awar Malek

Image: Awar Instagram

Agency: Rïŋ Models

Pronoun/s: She/her 

Instagram Handle: @____rawaaa

Awar is a Sydney based model who was hesitant to get into the modeling industry, but when approached by Rïŋ Models she was convinced to attend a casting call and the rest is history. 

In a recent interview with Cool Pretty Cool she spoke about diversity in the industry, “Uncomfortable conversations are being pushed to the forefront and I love it. We’re demanding more representation and seeing more inclusivity day by day.”

Image: Awar Instagram

Mykeesha Nelson

Image: Mykeesha Instagram

Agency: Kult Australia

Pronoun’s: She/her 

Instagram Handle: @myfrittatanelson

Mykeesha is a Sydney based model with an amazing sense of style and attitude! Make sure to follow her on Instagram for a little inspiration!

Image: Mykeesha Instagram

Bree McCann

Image: Bree Instagram

Agency: IMG Models 

Pronoun/s: She/her 

Instagram Handle: @breekmccann

Not only was Bree the first curve model to feature on the cover of Women’s Health Australia as well as the first to walk the MBFWA Runway in 2018 she also launched her own swimwear label Code B In 2019 which is all about bringing diversity, inclusivity and body confidence to the beach.

Image: Bree Instagram

Lisa Fatnowna

Image:Lisa Instagram

Agency: IMG Models 

Pronoun/s: She/her 

Instagram Handle: @lisa.fatnowna

The 21-year-old Cairns-born Indigenous model was a stand out at Fashion Week this year and is now working with the likes of Mecca, Sportsgirl, and InPrint Magazine.

Image:Lisa Instagram

Francisco Henriques

Image:Francisco Instagram

Agency: Kult Australia 

Pronoun/s: He/him

Instagram Handle: @kikohenriiques

Francisco is a Portugues model hailing from Lisbon originally. He has become known for his gorgeous curly hair. He has appeared in Harper’s Bazaar and GQ  and has made a splash walking the catwalk for the likes of Giorgio Armani.

Image:Francisco Instagram