Nau mai. Welcome to our newest series! Where we roll up to a modelling agency with a rack of fun kākahu and say a big, warm hello to a handful of their local faces.
For our first drop meet Aileen Chen, DeeDee Comet, Bryher and Luca Longhurst – or as they're more fondly known: Leenie, D, Brybry and Luca.
How did they land here? Oh, you know, the usual. Being spotted by Katherine Lowe mid-ice cream cone, or while quietly interning at Kate Sylvester. They also give us their most Aotearoa answers to what happiness means to them: "being on a tramp with no reception" and "not needing to be anywhere."
And then there's the advice they'd give their 16-year-old selves; some sage, some slightly random: "Put the Yeezys away" (Luca). "You don't have to play netball" (Aileen). "Stop stressing about the ways of the world" (Bryher). "The future will meet you regardless of whether you welcome it or not" (DeeDee). We're taking notes.
Say hi to these four Aotearoa angels – and while you're at it, feast your eyes on the new season NZ fashion in the gallery above.
Name: Aileen Chen
Nickname: Leenie / leen
Starsign: Virgo
Where do you live now and where do you consider home?
I live in Auckland and it's home! Though it's really Taranaki.
How did you get into modelling? Can you tell us the story of how you came to be signed?
I used to intern at Kate Sylvester while I was at fashion school and one time at Madame George (RIP) after work, Wayne asked if I had thought about modelling. Applied to Super on a whim and got lucky! Not sure if I ever told him that. That was maybe 5 years ago now.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
"It's on the tip of the tongue and not on the nose."
What is your idea of happiness?
Not needing to be anywhere! People watching without needing to be anywhere or mooching around without any responsibilities.
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
I open all the windows, turn on the coffee machine and go for a sleepy walk in the park!
If you could say something to your 16-year-old self, what would it be?
Keep experimenting. You don't have to play netball.
What are you most looking forward to this year in 2026?
Keeping it pushing.
DeeDee wears Paris Georgia top & sweater, Ruby jeans
Name: DeeDee Comet
Nickname: D
Starsign: Sagittarius
Where do you live now and where do you consider home:
I live with my father and step mum in Titirangi, I consider my friends and family home. Or any place with lots of sunlight.
How did you get into modelling? Can you tell us the story of how you came to be signed.
I think I got into it because my mother got lots of questions about me, I wasn’t interested at first but over time I thought why not give it a go.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Life will never be as dramatic as you think it is, the love we strive for comes from ourselves.
What is your idea of happiness?
Being surrounded with people and things I love.
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
Turn on music.
If you could say something to your 16-year-old self, what would it be?
The future will meet you regardless of whether you welcome it or not.
What are you most looking forward to this year in 2026?
Finishing schooool! Hopefully working more.
Luca wears Wynn Hamlyn jacket, Levi's jeans
Name: Luca Longhurst
Nickname: There's no one nickname I'm called, just specific people who call me different things, but often I'm addressed by my first and last name together, even by good friends.
Starsign: Aries
Where do you live now and where do you consider home?
I’ve lived in Auckland my whole life and I love it here! I miss it here a lot when I’m away.
How did you get into modelling? Can you tell us the story of how you came to be signed?
Sometimes when shopping for clothes the sales assistants would tell me that I should be a model. That was before I even considered modelling; the whole industry was foreign to me, and I was unsure on how to feel about it. Eventually my mum hired Virginia Carde to do her makeup at home for a big event, where she saw me, after which she mentioned me to SuperMGMT. They met me for coffee and I signed over two years ago at 17, and I couldn't be happier with my choice of agency.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Comparison is the thief of joy. It's a cliché but it has been indispensable to me in this industry, and especially in high-tier modelling environments.
What is your idea of happiness?
It’s the little things that count! For example, I'm currently enjoying working part-time at Stolen Girlfriends Club, and on my breaks I like to go on the Balenciaga website to watch the past runway shows. It's fun to be able to recognise some of my new model friends in those shows.
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
I've been enjoying starting my day with pushups, it's a great way to wake myself up quickly, and motivates me to have a positive day.
If you could say something to your 16-year-old self, what would it be?
I’d probably tell myself to “put the Yeezy's away!”, I was wearing them with any outfit without much thought so I could've used a subtle push instead of commiting a fashion crime whenever I left the house.
What are you most looking forward to this year in 2026?
More shows, more shoots, more fun in the industry! Maybe hope for a campaign if I’m feeling extra ambitious.
Bryher wears Verner top from Sully's, Paris Georgia track pants
Name: Bryher
Nickname: Brybry
Starsign: Libra
Where do you live now and where do you consider home?
I live in Tāmaki Makaurau, born and raised, but in my soul the Marlborough Sounds are home. It’s where I feel most at peace!
How did you get into modelling? Can you tell us the story of how you came to be signed?
I had been thinking about modelling for a while before being signed with Super, actually had been stalking their Insta a lot. Then on Father's Day, 2022, I was scouted in a gelato shop in Ponsonby Central with my whole family. I was a really shy 15 year old at the time, so I completely blanked out, and Katherine had to start talking to my dad. After that, I begged him for months to contact her; it was like a dream come true!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
If you’re looking for reasons not to do it, do it. If you’re looking for reasons to do it, don’t do it.
What is your idea of happiness?
Being on a tramp in the South Island with one of my best friends!! No service, no uni deadlines, bliss.
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
Snooze my alarm, rebook my CrossFit class for the afternoon.
If you could say something to your 16-year-old self, what would it be?
If something is meant for you, it will come to you. Stop stressing about the ways of the world, you’re mature beyond your years!
What are you most looking forward to this year in 2026?
New experiences. I’ve already met so many cool people and gained so many amazing opportunities. I’m looking forward to seeing what else the year has in store.
Photos: Abigail Dell’Avo
Fashion: Chloe Hill & Levi Tan
Features Editor: Chloe Hill
Aileen, Bryher, DeeDee & Luca are represented by Super
