Models vying to walk the runway at Melbourne Fashion Week aren't just pretty faces.
Among 300 contenders attending a casting call on Wednesday is Aleisha Scanlon, an indigenous model from the remote East Kimberley who is a competitive athlete and footy player.
Eighteen-year-old model Aretha Brown is an indigenous youth activist, artist and former Prime Minister of the National Indigenous Youth Parliament, while Carson is a non-binary model and photographer and Natasha Heal is a professional model with hair loss condition, alopecia.
Now in its 25th year, Melbourne Fashion Week has become renowned for casting up-and-coming models of all ages, sizes, heights and ethnicities.
The event's 2019 ambassador, Sudanese-Australia model Adut Akech, launched her career at the event three years ago and has since gone on to work with international fashion houses including Chanel, Dior and Prada.
Among the industry judges at Wednesday's casting call is stylist Kate Gaskin, who is on the lookout for "a diverse range of faces".
"There will be a real focus on discovering up-and-coming and emerging talent," she told AAP.
"We're really excited to discover the next big thing and provide a launching pad for their career."
Melbourne Fashion Week runs from August 28 to September 5.
Australian Associated Press
