Every now and then a face emerges from the femmebots to stand apart as special.
Sydney stunner Louise van de Vorst is certainly one of them, her otherworldly charm and alien-esque aesthetic challenges our traditional perceptions of beauty, and the fashion industry can’t seem to get enough of her.
Such a rare vision is van de Vorst that, when you meet her in person, you can’t seem to help but stare long and deep into her wide-set blue eyes. These impossible peepers, paired with her creamy skin, petite pinky pout and long lithe frame are both disarmingly other, and utterly engrossing.
She is truly captivating and the lens loves her.
But it’s not her looks alone that has her ranked as one of Australia’s most in-demand models, it’s her chameleon qualities and her ability to transform into characters outside of herself.
Aside from the modelling stage, she’s offered the audience an equally compelling performance as she transitions into acting, starring in several fashion films of late.
Most recently a collaboration with Oyster magazine where she plays a flame-haired vamp alongside model veteran Tanja Gacic.
Oyster Issue #92: fire/flame from Oyster Magazine on Vimeo.
The pair sex it up with van de Vorst showing off her pound of flesh for a visually pleasing and cheeky voyeuristic look into the lives of bored bourgeois babes.
Van de Vorst is also a long term muse of star Australian filmmaker Daniel Askill. She appeared in his arresting turn for Acne’s Cruise 11 Collection – Concrete Jungle – and then played a forest nymph with an extremely dark streak in his acclaimed music video for WIM.
Now the star is set to rack up even more catwalk credit as one of the top models at RAFW this week. She already stepped out for Romance Was Born, where her ethereal appearance fitted the Never Ending Story theme to a tee, and her list is lengthy for the rest of the week.
We took five with the runway royal to chat about the challenges of staying on top in the fickle fashion industry, scouring op shops for fabrics to sew into her own fashion range, and her RAFW beauty regime.
You have been a sensation on the Australian modelling scene since you were first scouted, did you ever think you would come this far in your modelling career?
I think hard work and determination goes a really long way, no matter what field you chose to work in. I’ve been really fortunate in my career so far but it’s definitely a commitment… you have to be 100% committed to the job.
RAFW is around the corner, and you are tipped as one of the stars going into the week – last year you walked an insane 21 shows, will you be upping that number this year?
RAFW is one of the best events on any fashion calendar; it’s always such a good time. It’s amazing to be surrounded by so many great collections by the best designers this country has to offer. It’s always fun catching up with everyone too.
You made headlines last year when you walked the runway for artistic designers; Romance Was Born wearing a fiery volcano dress – what are some of your favourite shows and memories from last year?
The volcano dress for Romance was definitely one of my all time catwalk highlights. It was a total challenge to even make it down the catwalk, the dress and make up were so full on. It was hard to see and I just had to hope for the best… thankfully it all came together on the night.
Who are the Australian designers you’re most looking forward to walking for? and why?
The Australian fashion industry is better than anywhere in the world, our designers are so ahead of the game and it’s a great part of fashion week to get to walk for a wide range of designers and wear so many amazing original clothes. It’s fantastic to come back to fashion week year after year, designers evolve so much from collection to collection and when you work with them on a regular basis it’s exciting to witness their shows develop and change each time.
You are also an aspiring fashion designer, what is the name of the brand and where can girls buy it outside of Sydney?
I haven’t officially launched my label yet. I really enjoy making my own clothes and clothes for friends, I’m working away at it slowly between modelling jobs. It’s really great to focus on designing, it’s definitely a different side to the business, one that I’m looking forward to exploring on a more full time basis further down the track. For now I’m just happy tinkering with my sewing machine and sketching designs when I get inspired.
Your most recent film was for Oyster magazine alongside Tanja Gacic looked like a heap of fun – what was it like to work on this project?
The team on the shoot were so amazing, we’ve all worked together many times in the past so we all kind of just turned up and got straight into it. Performing on camera feels much the same as a photo shoot so I guess for me it’s just an extension of what I do. It was really enjoyable to make and yeah being a red head for a few hours was good fun too!
Outside of modelling, you seem like a very creative and artistic person, are there any other hobbies or past-times you delve into? painting, music, sketching?
Wow, for starters thank you that’s really sweet. Sewing is pretty much my favourite past time, it’s a good way to channel my creative yearnings and it helps me relax. I spend a lot of time scouring op-shops and vintage shops for fabric. I would have to say my other favourite past time is hanging out with my puppy, Gia.
Being such a high profile and in-demand model, do you have a regimented beauty routine? How do you look after yourself with such a hectic schedule?
I wouldn’t say it’s regimented as such; it can vary depending on the situation. During fashion week for example I moisturise my skin as many times a day as I can! It’s hard for your skin to recoup after doing back-to-back shows. Generally my beauty routine is that I use Moroccan oil for my hair, rosehip oil for my face and from YSL Top Secret Face Cream & Lip Balm, also the YSL Touché Éclat comes everywhere with me… I cant live without these!
Stylexicon + Modelexicon 