Cairns-based model Steven Thekken recently touched down in Sydney, stepping into the local scene with ease. We lucked out with a blue-sky afternoon at the Botanic Gardens, where getting acquainted quickly turned into a full fashion frolic. Playing dress-ups on the sun-drenched lawns in the coolest new-season Prada, paired with local legends, like Song for the Mute and Kourh.
Behind the lens was our new friend Arvin Prem Kumar and on fashion duties, longtime CPC collaborator Monique Moynihan, master of good vibes and even better silhouettes.
Fresh to the industry, Steven’s already clocked some wisdom worth stealing. His advice for new models? “Remind yourself how lucky you are and enjoy the ride.” And while his Sydney schedule included the usual whirlwind of castings and shoots, he made time to see the town on his terms. That meant getting acquainted with its bouldering gyms, compiling an elite playlist (see below), and giving us a deep dive into his recently saved TikToks.
Consider this his unofficial introduction; you’re about to see a lot more of him around.
Where do you live, and where do you call home?
I currently live in Cairns, FNQ, but home for me is wherever my family and friends are. That could be Norwich, England, where I spent 12 years of my life or Kerala, India, where my grandparents live.
What does your ideal day in your hometown look like?
Wake up whenever I want, do some sort of physical activity, feel rewarded by being productive with my time to get stuff done and be excited because there's a planned hangout that evening, which will go all night.
How did you get into modelling?
I was lucky enough to get scouted on Instagram by my now mother agent Alex Hause during my final exams for year 12, by graduation I was signed to Chadwick, and a couple of weeks later, I'm in Melbourne for my first shoot.
We are lucky enough to catch you on your first trip to Sydney for modelling. How has the experience been?
Being able to travel solo again was long overdue, and I enjoyed every bit of it, especially meeting so many wonderful new people and experiencing so many new places and activities. Bouldering was a highlight, but the real memory was going from place to place in a new city on an e-bike, taking it all in.
Are there any tips you would give other models about to embark on their first round of castings in Sydney or another big city?
Just have fun, you’re going to face rejection, but you're only a certain number of 'no's' away from a 'yes'. Don't forget that this is a very exclusive club you're a part of now, so remind yourself how lucky you are and enjoy the ride!
While in Sydney, what is the first thing you do before you go to bed at night?
Smoke a cigarette and drink milk.
How do you fill your downtime while in town?
My favourite things to do in a new place is check out the Bouldering gyms and explore and meet as many new people as possible.
What is your idea of true happiness?
Being the master of your own life. Having true freedom where you can wake up and do whatever, but still choosing to be productive instead of lazy because you want to, not because you have to. Life shouldn't feel like a chore.
What’s the most interesting or random thing you’ve learned recently?
“Everything is more beautiful because we are doomed. You will never be lovelier than you are now. We will never be here again.” ― Homer, The Iliad
Best show/movie you've watched recently?
Smallville.
Favourite song?
Too many to name, but my top songs are:
'Reality Surf' - Bladee
'Just Your Doll' - Snow Strippers
'Nuts' - Lil Peep
'Nevada' - Semetary
'M/s Salmonella' - Lifelover
Best TikTok/meme to sum up your current mood?
@existenaries don’t repress yourself #fyp #moodboard #webweaving ♬ original sound - angelgirl
@archivistum #moodboard #niche #summer #targetaudience #chrisheynjr ♬ Archivistum edit - ARCHIVISTUM™
@midjourney.image Why? What is he looking for? #niche #philosophy #history #aesthetics #existentialism #marxism #141 #religion #spirituality #esoteric #philosophytok #nature #hinduism #retro #simoneweil #walterbenjamin #wernerherzog ♬ original sound - midjourney
@_.banksy I despise pessimism
♬ original sound - Banksy
When do you feel most like 'you'?
When I'm with my mates late at night, we don't know where we're going to end up or if we are going to make it home, but we have each other, and we can just forget about all our problems.
What are you most looking forward to in 2026?
Getting in the best shape of my life.
Photographer: Arvin Prem Kumar
Fashion Editor: Monique Moynihan
Features Editor: Chloe Hill
Photo Assistant: Laura Prieto Martin
Steven is represented by Chadwick
We acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation as the traditional owners of the land on which this shoot took place.
