At the young age of 18, Bundjalung man Jay Campbell is already carving out a name for himself in the fashion world. The Canberra-born model’s career has skyrocketed in 2024, marked by successful projects and exciting opportunities on the horizon. Rising Star: Jay Campbell Makes Waves in Fashion Industry at Just 18
Campbell has quickly made a mark, collaborating with renowned Australian brands like By Johnny and General Pants Co, and strutting his stuff on the runway at the prestigious Melbourne Fashion Festival. Now, he’s setting his sights even higher, with plans to move to Sydney in pursuit of more opportunities and greater exposure.
Reflecting on his journey so far, Campbell shared his excitement for the year ahead. “I’ve been pretty consistent with work,” he said. “Last week, I was down in Melbourne for the whole week working and then getting the opportunity to walk at Melbourne Fashion Festival as well…that was pretty big. From that, I’ve had a big influx of people wanting to meet me.”
For Campbell, the path to modeling began unexpectedly while out surfing with friends. “I’ve had people telling me that I should model ever since I was young,” he recalled. “I had never really thought about it until one day, I was with my mate, his wife, and my cousin going for a surf, and my mate’s wife asked, ‘have you ever thought about modeling?'”
Despite initially pursuing a career in surfing, Campbell seized the opportunity and found himself diving headfirst into the world of fashion. “From there, it’s gone up,” he said. “But now realizing and looking back now, I was brought into it pretty fast.”
As he navigates the industry, Campbell emphasizes the importance of authenticity and staying true to oneself. “The first thing I was taught was to be yourself,” he explained. “They (clients) love it when you are just yourself.”
Beyond his modeling career, Campbell remains deeply connected to his Indigenous roots and is actively involved in his community. He has participated in initiatives like Juraki Surf, which promotes Indigenous culture through surfing, and has shared his culture through dancing and storytelling.
While he acknowledges that there is still work to be done in expanding understanding of First Nations culture within the fashion industry, Campbell is optimistic about the growing interest he has observed. “I feel like in the industry a lot of people are open to learning,” he said. “When I get into detail…they’re really intrigued.”
Looking ahead, Campbell hopes to see more opportunities for Indigenous models and is eager to continue making waves both on and off the runway. “More opportunities for connecting with people and just being around like-minded people…can open up doors,” he said. “Just like Melbourne Fashion Festival, I met so many people there that really liked my look and want to work with me now.”
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Source: https://nit.com.au/01-05-2024/11136/big-break-jay-campbells-modelling-career-a-rising-tide
