As you know, our favourite pastime is meeting new people, and this summer, we had the good fortune to meet 5 of them — Blake, Isabella, Ofelia, Billie and Marvin.
After dressing them up in an array of colourful fashion, we asked them some important questions about life and cool things they’ve learnt recently — plus, we got a bunch of book recommendations you’ll want to note down.
Flip through the gallery above and then read on to get to know more about these sweet beings...
Name: Ofelia
Nickname(s): Feels
Age: 25
Star sign: Cancer
Where do you live and where do you call home?
My friends and I had this exact conversation last Saturday night! Just like most kids who have been ex-pats their whole life, we struggle with a sense of belonging. I was born in Sydney but bred in Hong Kong and have been living in Melbourne for the past six years. Whilst my immediate family is in Sydney, I have close ties in Hong Kong and some of my closest friends, who I consider my second family in Melbourne. I think I will always be a traveller of some sort, and home will never be where I am located but where all my ties lie. So to answer the question, Hong Kong, Sydney and Melbourne are all homes to me. As cliche as it sounds, I suppose home is definitely where the heart is.
Coolest thing you’ve learned recently?
That kindness is not weakness; in fact, the ability to remain soft and kind through life is power. At some point, all of us will get hardened by the obstacles of life. When that time comes, a side of society will tell you to get over it, step over the pain, and that you will be stronger for it. Another side of society will ask you to process it, step through the pain, and ensure you come out the other side wiser but not hardened. I have recently learned to choose the latter, and that true strength are in the ones who have waged war but still has the kindest and purest of souls. The coolest thing I have learned, however, is that the people around me have always chosen the road less travelled of remaining kind when it is much easier to just let life harden you.
When do you feel most like yourself?
When I’m focused on a task that I love and that I know is taking me closer to my goals. Regardless of how hard the task is or what the task is - be it at a shoot, at my corporate job or at the gym, if it fulfils the two said criteria, I get this weird sense of serenity mixed with adrenaline. It is as though nothing else matters but me and where I am going. That is when I feel most like myself.
What’s your thought process when you get dressed in the morning?
Look good, feel good. It's A game, baby.
Do you wear much colour and if so why?
I try to incorporate as much colour as I can, especially in Melbourne Winter because the atmosphere is as dull as it is. However, this is definitely something new as I have always been a woman of neutral colours. It has been amazing to work with all these talented stylists through modelling; I get inspired all the time. I could not tell you the number of times where I have been pleasantly surprised with wearing colours that I thought would never work on me.
Can you tell us about the best podcasts/books/films you’ve consumed recently?
Atomic Habits — James Clear.
My therapist actually suggested this book to me last year, and boy am I grateful she did! Be it big or small, everyone has habits they want to rid and habits they want to build. This book is a manual on creating the life you want; it does so by explaining the mechanisms of the brain and how to trick it into working with you and not against you. Work smarter, not harder, right?
How the Pill changes Everything: Your Brain on Birth Control — Sarah Hill.
The title is quite self-explanatory to what you will get out of this book, so much so that it may downplay the revelations you will also be gaining. I believe every woman should read this book for themselves, their sisters and their daughters. Whilst birth control has given 21st-century women opportunities pre-birth control women could never dream of, many get onto birth control without truly understanding the implications on their mind and body. It is not to say that birth control is bad, but it is essential to fully educate yourself before getting onto it. I certainly wish I did.
Who would play you in a film about your life?
Ronal from Avatar [The Way of Water] - she is the wife of Tonowari (the olo’eyktan of Metkayina reef clan). I know it is strange to choose a Na'vi, and those who know me know I don’t do animations [laughs], but I really connected with her strength and loyalty to her tribe, as well as her connection to the ocean. Whilst her choices may seem harsh in the eyes of others, her tribe was her reasons.
What are you most excited about for 2023?
For personal growth. I have made a pact with myself that 2023 will be about self-love, experiences and enrichment. I hope in 12 months, as I am standing under the fireworks that ring in 2024, I will be able to applaud myself for the knowledge, mental growth and adventures I accumulated over 2023.
Name: Marvin Ye
Age: 21
Star sign: Leo
Where do you live and where do you call home?
I was born and grew up in China, and I am currently living in Melbourne. Nowhere but everywhere. Because for me, family is just my parents and me; they living in my heart, so where there is me, where is call home. Where there is ease, where is call home.
Coolest thing you've learned recently?
Haha! Controlling my facial expression while I'm dancing?
When do you feel most like yourself?
Whenever doing something that I really want to do.
What's your thought process when you get dressed in the morning?
1. Weather 2. Feeling 3. Accessories.
Do you wear much colour and if so why?
No. It is just too much for me. Being colourful is just not the visual images that I want to share. But definitely dressed myself up really fancy and dramatic colour sometimes.
Can you tell us about the best podcasts/books/films you've consumed recently?
I have recently read Poetry Anthology of Muxin. The way he wrote, the description of the whole world and his life is so beautiful; I find it to be really peaceful when I am reading it.
What are you most excited about for 2023?
I haven't planned that far ahead yet!
Name: Isabella Starr
Nicknames: Bella/Bell
Age: 18
Star sign: Taurus
Where do you live and where do you call home?
I live in Townsville, and home is anywhere with my family.
Coolest thing you’ve learned recently?
How to surf.
When do you feel most like yourself?
I feel most like myself around my friends and family or at the beach.
What’s your thought process when you get dressed in the morning?
If it’s not work clothes, I’m excited.
Do you wear much colour and if so why?
Yes and no. Just dep on the occasion and the outfit itself.
Can you tell us about the best podcasts/books/films you’ve consumed recently?
Colleen Hoover books series.
Who would play you in a film about your life?
Bella Hadid.
What are you most excited about for 2023?
To travel.
Name: Blake
Nickname(s): Balakay
Star sign: Cancer
Where do you live and where do you call home?
Currently based in Melbourne. Home is anywhere I thrive & feel alive.
Coolest thing you’ve learned recently?
Synchronicity: A causal principle that transcends space, time and causality.
To stop over analysing everything and just do it! Faith it til we make it.
When do you feel most like yourself?
With close friends & family. I’m a weirdo and cringe person with ‘em.
What’s your thought process when you get dressed in the morning?
I don’t even have a proper thought process in the morning; I’m just thankful to see another day. The majority of my outfits are pre-planned the night before.
Do you wear much colour and if so why?
I love wearing colour (which is why my hair’s currently red). It all represents a metaphorical extension of myself. I know younger Blake loved vibrant colours, so I will keep repping my childhood youth.
Can you tell us about the best podcasts/books/films you’ve consumed recently?
Avatar: The Way of Water in 3D was visually stunning.
Re-watched all of Game of Thrones.
Who would play you in a film about your life?
I’d cast between Timothée Chalamet, Robert Pattinson, Evan Mock or Steve Harvey.
What are you most excited about for 2023?
I’m keen to see more POC creatives in the fashion space radiate. I’d love to see more Southern Asians like myself, flourish in these spheres and open doors/ opportunities for more kids. Hopefully, more modelling collaborations with cool brands & furthering my photography. Finally, seeing miracles and greater love move across 2023.
Name: Billie Diamond
Age: 18
Star sign: Taurus
Where do you live and where do you call home?
I live in a caravan on my mum‘s property with my mum. I call home where I feel safe and comfortable to express whatever I’m feeling or doing or creating.
Coolest thing you’ve learned recently?
Coolest thing I’ve learnt recently is that scientists don’t know how eels reproduce.
When do you feel most like yourself?
I feel most like myself when I am in an outfit I’ve created, and I’m around people who love me.
What’s your thought process when you get dressed in the morning?
Whoever I want to be plus everything I’ve ever seen on the Internet combined in something either extremely interesting and cool or very comfortable, and no one will know it’s me.
Do you wear much colour and if so why?
Some outfits are completely black some outfits have so much colour because I go thrifting so, I just find interesting items, and there’s no restriction to creativity.
Can you tell us about the best podcasts/books/films you’ve consumed recently?
The best movies I’ve seen recently are Avatar (loved) and Knives Out. For podcasts, No Such Thing As A Fish, and I’m currently re-reading the Harry Potter books.
Who would play you in a film about your life?
Hopefully, I would play me.
What are you most excited about for 2023?
I’m so excited to not have any more excuses and just start doing and start being who I want to be.
Photos: Cathy Marshall Fashion: Gem Brookes Beauty: Kat Bardsley Photo Assistant: Nicholas Wilkins
Blake, Isabella, Ofelia, Billie & Marvin are represented by People Agency
We acknowledge the Bunurong Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples of the Eastern Kulin Nation as the traditional owners of the land on which this shoot took place.
