Sydney-based QT, Amy Riley, has been doing the modelling thang since she was 14-years-old, after she was scouted at a One Direction concert. Despite the fact that her mum modelled, it’s not something she’d ever thought about doing herself. We’re glad it happened!
Amy was born in Auckland, but moved to Sydney when she was three. She travelled a lot when she was a kid, visiting family in New Zealand and England, and that allowed her to experience different countries cultures, and become clued up to the world around her at a young age. If pressed, she’d sum herself up using the following five words: loyal, easygoing, trustworthy, fun and optimistic. We’d agree!
Outside of modelling, she loves sketching, keeping fit, and discovering new music. Looking for Alaska by John Green is her fave ever book, ‘Don’t Worry Be Happy’ by Bobby McFerrin is the song that encapsulates her best, and her fave thing to do in Sydney is chill by the beach with mates, or discover “cute and quirky cafes.” Her most overused word at the moment is “lit”. Same.
You probs clocked that cherubic face for the first time at MBFWA this year, her first ever fashion week. She wasn’t sure what to expect, but had “an amazing time and was able to meet so many new people in all aspects of the industry.” A highlight for her was walking for Zhivago, saying that the “hair and makeup was incredible, from the glitter lips to the glamorous hair.” Given that it was her first runway show ever, she was pretty nervy, but had a lot of fun in the end.
Working in the industry has given her a real confidence boost, and she feels way more at home talking to new people than she did before. Her fave thing about her job is working with incredible photographers and brands, and making new friends. If she could change one thing, it would be embracing more body shapes and sizes, which can “create unrealistic expectations for young girls to look a certain way.” Yep x 1000.
Going on a Japanese exchange this year, and staying with a family in Yokohama for three weeks, is the craziest thing she’s ever done. She learned a bucketload about Japanese culture and way of life, improved her speaking and listening, and had a sick time attending school during her stay. Equality in all aspects — gender, race, religion and sexuality — is the most important social issue at the moment. She (rightly) believes that everybody should have equal rights and freedom to express themselves, and thinks in order to live a good life, “you should treat people with the same respect you want for yourself.” *Nods head in agreement.*
She loves being a young person living in 2017, because of all the opportunities we have. She also froths the freedom young people have to express themselves, through fashion and social media, and the ease with which we can travel to anywhere in the world. She defs identifies as a feminist, and believes female friendships are important, because they “create bonds between women, meaning we always have someone we can rely on and trust.”
“Treat people the way you want to be treated yourself” is the best piece of advice she’s ever received, and to her, “cool” means being effortless, and being able to express yourself without fear of judgement or rejection. Lit!
Words: Maddy Woon Images: Kristen Jan Wong Fashion: Gemma Keil
Amy is represented by:
IMG SYDNEY
Shot on location at Coogee beach in Sydney, Australia
