Kiesha Bovill & Her Sisters Are Living Out Their Ancestor’s Dreams

Sydney

— September 3, 2020 —

Effortlessly cool and socially conscious? Meet Kiesha Bovill, a multi-hyphenate with a plan to change the world. She’s a 21-year-old proud Indigenous woman from the Kamilaroi tribe with big achievements and a backstory that belies her young years. 

Kiesha is a model and activist whose Instagram is brimming with #curlyhairgoals and urgent reminders to never forget White Australia’s Black History. She’s a Gen Z kid whose face has already beamed out of Vogue Australia and featured in campaigns for brands like Poppy Lisman and Man Repeller. 

We recently had the immense joy of photographing her at home in the Central Coast with her two younger sisters, Lynette (14) and Barbara (8). These young queens might be busy living out their ancestors’ wildest dreams, but today you can catch them dressed up to the nines, serving lockdown couture in Chanel blazers and Christian Dior dresses. With voices that refuse to be silenced, here’s what Kiesha and her sisters have to say…

Kiesha Bovill

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? 
My name is Kiesha, I’m a 21 year old Kamilaroi woman who was born and raised on the Central Coast, NSW. 

How did you get your start in modelling?
I have been interested in the modelling industry since I was in high school. I was fortunate enough to meet my manager Jaz Daly through a mutual friend when I was just starting out and she was looking for some new faces. Modelling started off as a side hustle for me while trying to get back on my feet after going through homelessness on and off for a few years, but after getting out there I’ve really found a passion for it. 

How has your personal style evolved over the years?
I was very experimental with my look back in highschool; I loved to change my hair and express myself through makeup. I didn’t realise how much damage bleaching my hair and wearing makeup nearly every day in my mid-teens would do to my curls and skin, so since then I’ve been dedicated to embracing my natural hair and skin. Now I really only wear makeup when I’m working on a shoot. I’d say over the years my style has evolved to embrace my natural beauty more and feel I’ve been able to express myself more through fashion and my work. 

I’ve read that outside of modelling, you work full time in marketing and communications. At such a young age, how do you balance all of your commitments and what brings you joy?
I was fortunate enough to start modelling full-time in December last year, and therefore no longer work in marketing and communications anymore. I can easily say that I’ve never had a job that brings me as much joy as modelling does.

As a proud Indigenous woman from the Kamilaroi tribe, how has the most recent iteration of the Black and Indigenous Lives Matter movement impacted your day to day and the way that you approach your activism?
Before the recent iteration of the Indigenous and Black Lives Matter movement, my day-to-day already consisted of speaking up on Indigenous issues and sharing information through my platforms so that people I associate myself with could better understand where I came from and what me and my people go through on a daily basis. After the recent BLM movement my approach to my activism has been more focused on getting to know, investing in and supporting black businesses and brands. Recently I purchased some items from my favourite Aboriginal artist @coffinbirth and Indigenous label @clothingthegap and I can’t wait to wear these out to continue my activism through their fashion labels. 

What do you think your ancestors would think about the way your life has panned out so far? 
I hope that they’re proud of the path I’ve chosen—I could never not raise my voice about issues my people have faced for 250 years. I feel like they’ve guided me on my journey to where I am today so that I can speak up and raise awareness about the pain and struggle they went through and that we still face today. 

Where do you feel most at home?
With my family.

What do you love the most about your sisters?
Their inner strength and the passion that they have for their culture at such a young age. They inspire me to keep pushing myself and they are beautiful both inside and out! 

You are one of many forces for change from Gen Z. What do you wish the world better understood about our generation?
We have grown up in a society that measures our talent and worth based on how many followers or shares we get on a photo or post. I wish the world better understood the pressure it puts on young people and I wish there was more education on how damaging it can be for your self esteem when exposed to it at such a young age. 

How do you want to be remembered?
I want to be remembered as someone who wasn’t afraid to be who they were in a system that wasn’t built for them.

Lynette

Who makes you laugh the hardest?
My friend Lawrence from school. 
 
If you could only watch one film for the rest of your life what would it be and why? 
I couldn’t just watch one, so one it would be Everything, Everything and Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
 
What song could you listen to on repeat all day and why? 
‘Self Care’ by Mac Miller because it puts me on a good vibe.

What fact about you would surprise others? 
That I want to be a photographer.

If you could have lunch with any three people, dead or alive, who would they be?
Rihanna, the Weeknd and Isaac Butterfield. 
 
The world would be a better place if… 
Summer was all year long.
 
What are your favourite things about your sisters? 
That they give me all their clothes.
 
How was quarantine?
Fattening 😹
 
What do you like most about yourself? 
I like everything about myself. 
 
What does your favourite outfit look like? 
Anything with my Nike Air Forces. 
 
If you had one wish, what would you wish for? 
To go to a Weeknd concert. 

What are you doing in your dream future? 
In the very far future I would like to get into forensic photography, but for now I would just like to see where photography takes me.

If you could swap lives with one person or animal for one day, who/what would you be?
Kim Kardashian. 
 
What does being cool mean to you?
Being myself.


Barbara

Who makes you laugh the hardest?
My best friend Marissa from school.

If you could only watch one film for the rest of your life what would it be and why?
Matilda, because it’s the best movie ever in my life.

What song could you listen to on repeat all day and why? 
‘Better Days’ by Coi Leray because I like doing the TikTok dance to it.

What fact about you would surprise others? 
That I’m good at maths and writing. 
 
If you could have lunch with any three people, dead or alive, who would they be?
My Pop Mac, my Mum and my Nan. 
 
The world would be a better place if… 
COVID-19 wasn’t here! 
 
What are your favourite things about your sisters? 
That they make me laugh. 
 
How was quarantine?
It was boring! 

What do you like most about yourself? 
Everything! 

What does your favourite outfit look like?
Anything that’s matching. 

If you had one wish, what would you wish for? 
A mansion for my family to live in.

What are you doing in your dream future? 
Being a professional Koori dancer. 

If you could swap lives with one person or animal for one day, who/what would you be?
LIZZO.


What does being cool mean to you?
Making others happy and making them laugh. 

 

Feature: Sunny Adcock     Photos: Maximiliano Dal Masetto     Fashion: Miguel Urbina Tan     Fashion Assistant: Marco Tan

Kiesha is represented by Kult

 

Shot on location in Gosford, NSW, Australia

                    

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