|
Gemma Ward Profile |
|
-
Birth Date: November 3, 1987
-
Birth Place: Perth, Australia
-
Birth Name: Gemma Ward
-
Height: 5'10"
|
|
|
Biography |
Gemma Ward was born November 3, 1987, in Perth, Australia.
Despite her ravishing looks, the golden-haired green-eyed
beauty never set out to be a fashion model. In fact, she was
discovered by accident when she attended a taping of the
Australian television show, Search for a Supermodel in 2002.
As she recalls, “I came to watch my friends. I was sitting
there in the crowd when the agent from Perth came over. I
didn't even want to enter, it was a bit of chance. I was so
shocked when I got my first job.”
Although she didn’t win the competition, Gemma’s unique look
intrigued many of the scouts on hand, and she was soon
signed to Vivien's Model Management. Vivien’s Chris Fox, who
was on hand that day, still recalls her first impressions of
Gemma. “She was surreal,” she says, “beautiful, very
European, wide-set eyes, angelic, not a skerrick of makeup."
With Fox helping to guide her career, Gemma landed on the
cover of Australia’s Mark magazine and later made her runway
debut at the Mercedes Australian Fashion Week. That minimal
amount of publicity, along with Gemma’s enormous potential,
was enough to land her a spot on the roster of IMG, the same
elite international modeling agency that represents Gisele
Bundchen and Heidi Klum.
IMG wasted little time in recommending her to Russell Marsh,
the man responsible for casting Prada’s runway shows. “I
picked up on Gemma immediately,” he recalls. “I thought she
was absolutely incredible, otherworldly, fragile. She
challenged the concept of beauty. She is quite strange
looking too, and that is something that always appeals to
the aesthetic of Prada that has its own individual look."
Gemma promptly starred in Prada’s runway show that October
and was used in the company’s high-profile ad campaign that
season as well -- giving her a huge international presence.
Additional ads for Versus, Jill Stuart, Jil Sander,
Balenciaga, and YSL soon followed.
Gemma saw her profile increase even more the next year when
Vogue handpicked her to appear on their cover as one of the
planet’s nine most promising “It Girls.” Only 16 at the
time, the honor made Gemma the youngest model to grace the
magazine’s ”It Girl” feature. It also put her in the company
of other top models like Karolina Kurkova, Gisele Bundchen
and Natalia Vodianova.
Gemma has since appeared in over 50 designer shows and she
has graced the covers of fashion magazines around the world,
including W, Vogue and Teen Vogue. She also made a memorable
splash on the smallscreen with a starring role in John
Mayer's music video for "Daughters."
As famous as she already is, Gemma still has a world of
potential to fulfill. According to British Vogue Senior
Fashion Editor Kate Phelan, "I think Gemma, as she gets
older, will get more beautiful. She is still growing up,
still not an absolute woman. It's not a two-year shelf life
(for her) unless she gets fed up with it." |
|
|
Other
Information |
Measurements from Viviens models: 32-24-35
She can earn between $10,000 and $20,000 for a catwalk show
and up to $100,000 for ad campaigns.
Represents Liano, Prada, YSL, Prada, Balenciaga, Lanvin,
Hermčs, Bulgari, Dior, Isetan, Jil Sander, and Versace
Is in the agency of IMG, the most Elite modeling Agency
around with top models such as Tyra Banks, Gisele Bundchen
and Heidi Klum.
Her sister, Sophie was a model, but stopped because she
thought it was boring.
Shares an apartment with her best friend in NYC. Before she
found an apartment she even slept on her friend's couch!
Her favorite movie is "Almost Famous". |
|
|
|
