Meet the 6 Kiwi Models You Should Have on Your Radar

New Zealand Fashion Week officially kicks off today, and excitement has been building over what our designer neighbours—like Who What Wear Australia favourite Kate Sylvester—will conjure up this year. But as for who will be sending those trends down the runway and fronting the A/W 18 campaigns, we’ve been keeping tabs on some fresh faces who have been making waves both in New Zealand and overseas. That’s right, if these girls look familiar it’s because they’ve been working with some of Australia’s most beloved designers (think: Toni Maticevski) and spotted in editorials for the likes of Vogue Australia and Harper’s Bazaar.

Keep scrolling to meet the New Zealand models you need to know about and follow on Instagram.

Eden Bristowe

If you think you’ve seen Eden Bristowe before it’s because the Aussie fashion crowd loves her. Bristowe, who left school at 15 to pursue a career in modelling and by 16 had already shot with the legendary Ellen von Unwerth, has the kind of smouldering look reminiscent of early ’90s glamour and Pirelli girls. The part-Maori beauty has been on our shores a lot recently, shooting for Harper’s Bazaar Australia and starring in campaigns for Sheike, General Pants, and Myer.

Emma Boyd

With a bleach blonde bob that has us booking in with our hairdresser immediately, Emma Boyd has shown her chops (no pun intended) in editorials for Harper’s Bazaar US, where she was personally styled by Kerry Pieri, Fashion Digital Director for the magazine, in of-the-moment Gucci and Givenchy statement tees. She recently landed in New York City where she will be attending castings, meeting with designers, and no doubt making her mark on the fashion month circuit. 

Related: How New Zealand Girls Accessorise

Polly Batchelor

Polly Batchelor’s effortless beauty and razor sharp cheek bones have landed her in RUSSH magazine twice, as well as plenty of gigs in her home country, shooting for Fashion Quarterly and walking in NZFW year after year. But it was her recent work in the September issue of Harper’s Bazaar Australia that really caught everyone’s attention. Polly channeled her inner Lauren Hutton and Lauren Bacall in two iconic looks for the annual “Bazaar Icons” issue, and we’ve got a feeling she’ll soon have her own star status. 

Related: Have You Noticed This Australian Fashion Editor's Style Transformation?

Seon Hwang

With a huge following on Instagram (114K and counting), flawless skin and a contagious, upbeat personality, it’s hard to ignore this South Korean beauty. Born in Seoul but raised in New Zealand from the age of seven, the social-media star has an impressive portfolio that includes Vogue Australia, W Korea, Oyster Mag, Marie Claire Australia, and Harper’s Bazaar China.

Jordan Daniels

This South-African born, New Zealand-raised model has shown a unique versatility in recent months, moving easily between quirky and edgy for Karen Walker to high glamour and feminine for Kiwi label—and recent Woolmark International Prize winner—Harman Grubiša, as well as Toni Maticevski’s Resort 18 collection. Expect to see a lot more of Daniels next week when she takes the runway at NZFW.

Related: 10 Reasons Every Australian Girl Is Obsessed With Phoebe Tonkin's Style

Renee Wilkins Foster

Since being scouted in a supermarket when she was just 14 years old, Renee Wilkins Foster has capitalised on her “Baby Kate” beauty and ease in front of the camera. She shot for Wrangler and Black Magazine early in her career and was recently photographed by Caroline Wood for RUSSH, where she showcased her changeability. After spending most of the year modelling offshore, we hear she’s being flown back to her hometown to walk in NZFW, so we’ll be keeping an eye out for this mini Moss.

Opening images: Getty 

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