When working in fashion in Australia, there is a constant feeling that the grass is greener overseas. New York, London, Milan, Paris; they beckon with a siren call to Aussie and NZ creatives toiling in our small and close-knit industry. The allure of global mastheads, of iconic fashion houses, of supermodels and superstars, of a wide world of promise and freshness. It’s what keeps us dreaming, and fuels the 24-hour, long-haul flights to the other side of the world to be a part of it. Models, photographers, stylists and makeup artists, we are all at the whim of this aspiration.
The reality behind the aspiration can be daunting. Delayed (or lost) baggage, booking an Airbnb in a dodgy suburb to save $200, the DMs, the emails, the early morning call times and a lack of open coffee shops. Walking for kilometres because traffic is a nightmare. The opportunities are endless, and the excitement is high, but there is the reality of being a tiny fish in a big ocean, and the incredible hustle required to get your foot in the door.
As someone with the incredible privilege to travel to Europe (namely Milan and Paris) a few times during Fashion Week, the big picture is always more glamorous than the tiny details. But it’s the price we pay for following our dreams, and it’s important to push beyond your comfort zone, even if it means walking 40 minutes with a 20kg camera bag on your back throughout the streets of Paris on 0 sleep and 1 pain au chocolat.
During my last trip to PFW, I managed to catch up with Aussie model Maxine Jopp, who was in town for the shows after a fab season in Milan.
We had an hour to spare and walked around the neighbourhood of my Airbnb in the 11th arrondissement (and garnered a lot of stares… what did they expect, it's fashion week!?). We shot 4 rolls of film and discussed how our week was going, the blisters, the highs and lows of living in Europe, and what drives us.
Olivia: my first question is… When did you first arrive in Europe from Australia? Where did you live first?
Maxine: My very first time in Europe was October 2025 and lived in Barcelona for 2 months.
O: So it’s been a year! Who did you live with when you first got there?
M: Yes! I lived in a host apartment with 3 other industry creatives. Which was so fun!
O: Was there any initial culture shock on arriving into Barcelona?
M: I think the biggest one was the pace of how everyone lives here. Everything starts up later, and especially with the how late they have their dinners. That was very interesting to me, coming from a household who eats dinner at 6pm!!
O: Omg I’m the same.
M: Spain is so out of whack for Aussies ahha
O: What was your favourite part of living in Barcelona?
M: Oooo my favourite part is definitely how walkable the city is! It’s so scenic and everything is so close, every building is stunning. I could spend hours walking around the same streets and still find something new each time.
O: Incredible! Would you say that applies for other European cities too or mainly Barcelona?
M: I’d say Barcelona is the easiest one to walk, but definitely most European cities are gorgeous and have their own qualities, which keeps me entertained walking and travelling around.
O: How often do you travel around Europe for work? Where do you travel the most?
M: Twice a year for an around 10-12 weeks I come to Europe. Always around shows season. Usually I end up spending the most time is Milan!
O: Where does Paris sit on your list of favourite countries to visit?
M: I’d say it’s at number 2. Sweden is number one. Paris is a little too busy for my loving. Such a beautiful city, but too many people [laughs].
O: Haha so fair. But Paris over Milan?
M: Oh 100% Paris over Milan!!!
O: When you are in Paris, where do you go:
When you are missing home?
M: The tulleries when I’m missing home. I love the gardens. It's very homey.
O: When you want a good lunch?
M: Honestly I just stop off at random cafes and brunch places whenever I’m out for lunch.
O: When you want to party?
M: Not a party gal, I usually have a night in with the girls and watch movies!!
O: Movies in bed in Paris is elite. What about when you are feeling adventurous?
M: When I’m feeling adventurous I’ll turn my phone off and wander around the city with no real plan or sense of direction!!
O: These are soo me.
M: I’m such homebody can’t help it [laughs].
O: When you see other Aussie models in Europe, what do you bond over?
M: Somehow we always bond over bad coffee [laughs]. But also we love how every European loves the Australians, they love our accent and our temperament.
O: Do you gravitate to Aussies when backstage at shows?
M: I think I do! We hear each other’s accents and immediately become besties
O: Aww! Some familiarity in a high stress environment.
M: Exactly that’s a good way to put it.
O: What do you and your roommates/model friends complain about most to each other?
M: The blisters!!! We’re always walking around to each place, heels in hand and complaining about the blisters on our feet. But also…we all have shopping addictions and always have overweight bags when we get to the airports.
O: [Laughs]... too real.
O: What keeps the dream alive while you’re half way around the world and working hard in unfamiliar environments. What keeps you motivated? Is it a dream magazine, chasing a beloved brand?
M: Honestly it’s both a dream shoot, and also just making my family proud and myself too.
I’ve always wanted to do a shoot with a horse. I’m a horse girl through and through. So that’s my big goal, everything else is a bonus and I’m just loving the journey.
O: Aww I love that !!
O: One more question - favourite French snack?
M: Oooo definitely a pain au chocolat!
Maxine is represented by Priscillas
