Bowling alleys will always hold huge nostalgic value for us. If you weren’t hosting your tween birthday at an all-you-can eat Pizza Hut restaurant back in the day, chances are you and your best school buds were celebrating another lap around the sun inside the four walls of a dismally lit bowling alley. There’s nothing more comforting than being in the presence of the rundown tacky carpet, old pinball machines, coke and popcorn refills and super 90s graphics that set the backdrop for so many happy childhood memories. 

As it turns out, models Kristen and TJ agree. One day recently when the sky (finally) decided to shed a few tears, we hid out in the bowling alley with the two angels, and boy did they give Lebowski a run for his money on the lanes. In between strikes, we asked them to strike a pose, and then picked their brains on all the hotspots in Sydney to live your best life, what TV shows/books are eating up their spare time, and what advice has stuck with them over the years. Say hi below!

TJ

What did you get up to today?
I had a lazy day at home playing piano with my pet snake and rabbits. 

Favourite spot in Sydney to hang out?
My lovely home of course.  

Best bar in Sydney?
Mojo's Record Bar. 

Best meal in Sydney?
RaRa, for the best ramen.  

Best coffee?
Keyhole on Oxford street. 

Best shopping?
Kmart [laughs]. 

Any favourite memories of hanging out in Sydney? 
My daily visits to Hyde park after work. 

One place you’d take someone visiting Sydney for the first time?
The typical: Circular Quay.

How would you sum Sydney up in five words?
Beach, expensive, opportunity, badly planned roads. Whoops, that was six!

What’s the coolest thing you’ve learned recently?
Skepta is dating Adele.

What’s the best joke you’ve heard?
Iggy Azalea is a good rapper. 

What books/movies/tv shows are you obsessed with at the moment?
Power and Mind Hunter. 

What social/cultural issue is most important to you and why?
Mental health. 

When are you happiest?
Listening to music. 

How do you unwind?
I make some music and practice my butterfly blade. 

What’s the last thing you googled? 
How to answer questions.

Best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Accept the apologies you never got. 

Kristen

What did you get up to today?
Coffee, reading, coffee date with my girl, IKEA, coffee, rice paper rolls in the park. 

Favourite spot in Sydney to hang out?
It’s not where I am, it’s who I’m with! [Laughs]. 

Best bar in Sydney? 
Big Poppas. 

Best meal in Sydney? 
A cheese platter at Redfern Continental.  

Best coffee? 
Iced coffee from 212 cafe.  

Best shopping? 
My go-to is usually op shops—I think recycling clothing is really important. Slow fashion always. 

Any favourite memories of hanging out in Sydney? 
Gordon’s Bay in summer. 

How would you sum Sydney up in five words? 
Work, work, work, treat yo’ self! 

What’s the coolest thing you’ve learned recently? 
You can do anything you put your mind to when you believe in yourself. 

What books/movies/tv shows are you obsessed with at the moment?
I recently had a photographer suggest the TV series Euphoria to me. I finished watching it in a day and a half. Currently I’m half way through reading The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. 

What social/cultural issue is most important to you and why? 
Equal representation. “Diversity” isn’t a trend. I feel as though recently the things I’ve been following in the media have been “catering to diversity” because it’s on-trend right now. Like, “let’s put a black girl in this and call it diversity.” Diversity is more than just black and white, it’s everything in between too. I’m talking short, tall, big, small, mixed raced, transgender…  the list goes on! I’d like the media, especially on-screen, to dig deeper and go further! There’re so many rich stories behind diversity, Australia has only scratched the surface. Diversity has history, it’s not a trend.  

Best thing about being a young person living in 2019?
Being able to have a voice, and then also having platforms to use it. 

When are you happiest? 
When I’m surrounded by my friends and family. 

How do you unwind? 
Listening to music. 

What’s the last thing you googled?
The last thing in my google history is a DHL postal tracker. 

Best piece of advice you’ve ever received? 
With every life-changing decision you make in life you have to take a risk and make a sacrifice.

 

Feature: Madeleine Woon    Photos: Sarah Ellen    Fashion: Chloe Hill

 

Shot on location at Manhattan Superbowl in Alexandria, Sydney