Leading Beauty and fashion magazine Marie Claire has named Aboriginal teenager Nyree Kemp as one of modelling's 'Future Faces' to watch.
It's the second feature in a major women’s magazine for the Cairns school student, after she appeared in Harpers Bazaar late last year.
The Yirrganydji teenager told NITV News she was both shocked and excited to see herself in not one, but two major publications in the space of a few months.
"I never expected to be in both Harpers Bazaar and Marie Claire magazines at such an early stage of my career," she said.
Nyree credits Simone Hellicar, from Scouted modelling agency, for her early start.
Ms Hellicar approached Nyree after seeing her on social media.
"I came across a video of her on TikTok back in June 2021," Ms Hellicar told NITV News.
"Her look struck me immediately, and so I reached out to her, wondering whether she would be interested in modelling at all."
Nyree joined the agent's books in July 2021 and immediately started to catch the attention of fashion designers and .
She said she wants to use the platform to have a positive impact on her community.
"I’d love for my new career to inspire young Indigenous Australian women like me, so that we can have careers like this, and to not let anything stop us or get in the way of what you want to do and be," she said.
"I’m somewhat shy, but... I’m gaining confidence. I want to show my face, what I’m about, and my culture worldwide, as it has been a dream of mine."
While Nyree is still studying at high school, she has her hopes set high.
"A goal that I’ve written down is to be at a New York or Milan Fashion week when I’m older," she said.
"I love adventures, and I’m hoping this career could help me... experience things I’ve never experienced."
Nyree is part of a growing roster of First Nations models taking the catwalks and editorial pages by storm. She acknowledges those that have inspired her to feel confident in stepping in front of the camera.
"I look up to a few Indigenous models like Billie-Jean Hamlet, Samantha Harris and Charlee Fraser. They have been a big impact on why I’m in this career as they are representing all of us Indigenous Australians, just like I want to."
Billie-Jean Hamlet is one of the Indigenous models who inspired Nyree Kemp to get in to modelling. Source: Country Road
Nyree says that she has the full support of her family and friends.
"They were happy for me when they saw me in my first magazine and are excited for what’s in the future for me," she said.
