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David Jones: Victoria Lee helps celebrate stores' birthday | Daily Telegraph

Date with Kate at Australian Fashion Week: Victoria Lee katewaterhouse.com New York City is about as far away as you can get from the rural town Narrandera where model Victoria Lee grew up. As a self-confessed homebody, she says even she’s surprised that she’s now based in the Big Apple and miles from home. However relocating to the other side of the world is the logical next step when you’re one of the hottest models of the moment. Along with walking in last year’s Victoria’s Secret show alongside Gigi Hadid and Naomi Campbell, she is also a freshly minted David Jones ambassador joining fellow Aussies Jessica Gomes and ex-AFL player Adam Goodes. I caught up with Victoria to chat about the secret to a flattering photo, the one beauty product she can’t live without and how she stays fit. What’s a day in the life of you? Every day is different, which took awhile to get used to, to be honest. But I’ve since learned to embrace this fact and just go with the flow—as much as I can anyway! In general though, I love to wake up early, exercise in the morning, make yummy food and then get on with my day. If I’m working the hours and location always change but if I have some time off I’ll usually take care of any chores or e-mails, catch up with friends, sort the neverending pile of mail, run errands… it’s always a little different. What is Fashion Week like for you? This is the first time I’ve been home for Australian Fashion Week in a long time so I’m very happy to be home, but also [being here] where I haven’t done the shows. Actually being able to sit and experience the show is fantastic. I’m really enjoying seeing the way the show comes together and to appreciate the collections and creativity of the designers and all their hard work, from the other side. What was it like to attend Camilla and Marc’s opening show? I am such a huge fan of Camilla and Marc and to think it was their 15 year anniversary which was amazing. The show was fantastic—you felt transported to this other world through the lighting, set, sounds and music. Not to mention the collection itself which was stunning—the models looked so beautiful, powerful and strong. Last year you walked in the Victoria Secret show in Shanghai alongside other supermodels like Tyra Banks, Gigi Hadid and Naomi Campbell. How did that feel? Surreal. It was so much better than I actually expected. I thought I’d be more anxious, that I wouldn’t be fully present and just enjoy, but did. And I think that’s because of the Victoria’s Secret team and the girls I was there with. Everyone is so welcoming and supportive. They know you’re nervous! They really make an effort to make you feel as comfortable as possible and to just have fun and enjoy yourself, which is what it’s all about. It was very exciting, I really enjoyed the entire experience. What does it mean to you to be an ambassador for David Jones? It’s a real honour. I grew up shopping at David Jones and admiring past ambassadors Megan Gale and Miranda Kerr. To be a part of such an iconic Australian brand is incredible and I’m so happy to be a part of the David Jones family. Especially now; to be alongside Jess Gomes and Adam Goodes is amazing. And to be celebrating the 180th birthday of DJs is really special. How did you first get into modelling? I met with agencies after being recommended by photographers when I was in Sydney one time with my family. However I didn’t start going to castings until I finished school. Was this always your dream? No, not at all. Mainly because I grew up in Narrandera, rural NSW. I had no concept of the modelling industry—it was a long way away. Even after I started, I never viewed modelling as a career option. I had no idea what to expect, but I appreciated the fact that the opportunity doesn’t come by every day. I thought I would try it out in between school and university. I’m extremely lucky to have such a wonderful support network that has been by my side every step of the way. What were you like at school? I loved sport and athletics but was also very focused on my studies. I worked hard to get the best possible mark on my exams as I could. I ended up being Dux of my school which I was really happy about. All my friends from school try to catch up when everyone is home over Christmas which is always a lot of fun. What’s something that people don’t know about you and would be surprised to find out? Growing up I was a real homebody—I hated being away from home. Even on school excursions, I would want to go home ASAP. I couldn’t even do sleepovers. So to now live as far away from home as possible is something that still surprises me! What was your first big break? Very early in my career, my first Fashion Week, I walked for Camilla and Marc at Australian Fashion Week. What has been your biggest pinch-me moment? Can I have two?! Walking for VS [Victoria’s Secret] and being named as a David Jones ambassador were both pretty special pinch-me moments. Who do you look up to? I admire my parents and grandparents—I’m lucky to have such a wonderful family whom I look up to. I also admire women like Elle McPherson, Jess Gomes, Megan Gale, Doutzen Kroes, Diane Von Furstenberg, my agent, Doll, just to name a few! Intelligent, hard-working, very genuine women. What has been the best advice you have ever received? My mum always encouraged me to do my best in any situation and not to follow the crowd—be my unique self, always. If you hadn’t become a model, what would you be doing? Probably something in health or nutrition. I’ve always been fascinated by the human body. As a model, how do you stay fit? I love dance-based workouts—I find my body responds well and they are a great combination of strength and cardio. Along with stretching and recovery I make sure to respect my body and to prioritise sleep and recovery as much as my workouts. Along with proper nutrition. I love food and aim to nourish my body in the best way I can.How do you prep for a big show? I have a healthy lifestyle constantly but leading up to a big show I’ll make sure to drink plenty of water and get as much sleep as possible. I have a sweet tooth so I might cut back a little on the chocolate. But it’s all about balance. What is it like living in New York? I love it. It took a while to get used to—it’s a far cry from Narrandera and Sydney. But it’s an amazing city with such a vibrant and eclectic energy and culture. I’m very lucky to be able to live there and call Australia home. It’s the best of both worlds which I’m very appreciative of. What do you miss most about living in Sydney? The wonderful beaches, weather, our laidback attitude, our sense of humour, our fresh food, being close to my friends and family of course. The list goes on… travelling and living away really emphasised to me just how lucky we are as Australians to live here. I know it’s such a cliché, but it’s true—we are the lucky country. What is the secret to a great photo? Oh my gosh—good question!! I guess try to relax and keep your chin down. What is your number one beauty essential? Oils. I’ve noticed a real improvement in my skin since using them. I love Dermalogica phyto replenishing oil at the moment but I’ll change it up depending on how my skin is feeling. They can be used to remove make up, as a treatment, to prep for makeup, during a flight—just make sure you get one that suits your skin type. Photography: Sophia Athas and Ash Larden

From her iG

Christian Louboutin party in Sydney dailymail.co.uk

The music video Victoria filmed a while ago is up on this website again! The song is Brooklyn by Connor Leimer https://www.derekmckane.com/kingscounty/

Rising Aussie Model Victoria Lee's Fashion Icon Is Cate Blanchett wmagazine.com Miranda Kerr, Elle MacPherson, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Shanina Shaik—Australia has certainly never lacked for bombshell supermodels. And now, there's a new breakout talent among their ranks: Victoria Lee, the 27-year-old model from New South Wales who has had something of a banner year, walking in last November's Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and landing on the cover of Elle Australia's Rising Star issue alongside 13 Reasons Why star Katherine Langford. And while Lee is no stranger to walking the runway, having attended Australian Fashion Week for nearly a decade, this season she took it in from the sidelines, sitting front row at Camilla and Marc's 15th anniversary show that also served as the kickoff to the Resort 2019 season that wrapped up in Sydney on Thursday night. Here, Lee talks about her favorite Fashion Week memories. What is your earliest memory of Camilla and Marc? My first show ever for Fashion Week was Camilla and Marc. It was the very beginning of my career; I was so nervous! But also so excited to be a part of the show. I remember the casting, my fitting, and meeting Camilla and Marc for the first time. They were both so kind and encouraging. I’m very thankful for their support throughout my career. What did you think of the brand's 15th anniversary show? I thought it was incredible. The space was transformed into a landscape like something from another planet. The lighting, sound, and music transported you to another world, but at closer inspection was a nod to the Australian Outback, with native grasses and the sounds of Australian wildlife incorporated into the music. The models walked through a set of boulders, red dirt, and rubble, which contrasted the spectacular fabrics and beautiful silhouettes of the collection. I’m especially coveting the classic Camilla and Marc blazer in soft pink. I love the contrast between the power of the structured blazer and the softness of the color. Also a gorgeous black floral-print dress and black off-the-shoulder double-breasted dress that I actually had the pleasure of wearing to the show. When did you attend your first Australian Fashion Week? Spring 2009. I was blown away by the work and amount of people involved. I didn’t have any concept of what actually goes into Fashion Week. The creativity of the designers, the talented hair and makeup artists, producers, set designers, the venues. It was my first exposure to the craziness that is Fashion Week; the contrast of the hectic energy backstage to the serene calm of the runway is amazing. It was and still is so exciting. How does Australian Fashion Week differ from others around the world? Australian Fashion Week is so diverse. We really have an incredibly talented industry that is very unique. Not only in the collections themselves but also in the way designers make use of the incredible backdrop that is Sydney—the beaches, sea baths, the city, the Harbour, the Opera House. I recently went to a show that was in a beautiful, leafy garden. I think this is so unique to Sydney, to have so much variety in where to actually put on the shows. What are three words that describe your personal style? Comfortable, classic, effortless but chic. I hope anyway! Sorry, that’s four. What is your daily uniform? Usually, high-waisted Levi 501s, a comfy tee paired with a cute pair of Gucci flats, or my Celine sneakers with a blazer or jacket. I like to mix high and low to create a comfortable yet put-together look. Who do you look to for style inspiration? Rosie Huntington-Whitely, Emmanuelle Alt, and Cate Blanchett. What’s your favorite piece in your closet right now? My favorite piece is my vintage denim jacket. I love that I can throw it over anything and that it’s worn perfectly, so it’s really soft. What was your last purchase? My last purchase was a beautiful burgundy Celine bag with gold hardware. Where’s your favorite place to shop in Sydney? David Jones. How do you define Sydney style? I think we incorporate our laid-back lifestyle and relaxed attitude into our fashion but still pay attention to what’s happening overseas and incorporate that into our sense of style. So I’d say relaxed but unique and fashion-conscious. What’s something you would never wear? Never say never! Who do you think is the most stylish Australian? Cate Blanchett. She is consistently elegant and classic yet takes risks and has fun with fashion at the same time.

Five Minutes With: Victoria Lee instylemag.com.au The aussie model reveals her guilty pleasures. Australian representative for David Jones and Supermodel for Victoria's Secret, what can Victoria Lee not do? InStyle: Walking in my first Victoria’s Secret fashion show was... “Like a dream. The energy is fantastic and everyone involved is so lovely and welcoming.” InStyle: The key to success on the runway is... “Confidence. Remembering to enjoy yourself—shows are exciting!” InStyle: I’m thrilled to be working with David Jones because... “I love being part of such an iconic Australian brand. I grew up shopping in the stores and travelling to Sydney with my family to see the Christmas windows. To join the lineage of past and present ambassadors is surreal.” InStyle: The models I look up to... “Are women in the industry who have extended their careers beyond the runway and used their voice as a platform to draw awareness to important issues, such as Elle Macpherson, Doutzen Kroes and Carolyn Murphy.” InStyle: My style icons include... “Emmanuelle Alt and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley . Both are classic, cool and always elegant.” InStyle: My personal style is... “Easygoing but put together.” InStyle: My everyday uniform... “Cropped jeans, usually Levi’s or Paige, [and] a white button- down blouse from Equipment or a Maje T-shirt paired back with Paul Smith sneakers [above, PS by Paul Smith leather and rubber sneakers, $299; at davidjones.com.au].” InStyle: My signature accessory... “A thin chain or a few ne rings. I’m fairly minimal, but I love ne jewellery.” InStyle: My latest splurge... “A beautiful Céline bag and a pair of YSL slides I splurged on in David Jones!” InStyle: My workout of choice... “Body By Simone and Ballet Beautiful. Both are dance-based workouts.” InStyle: My hidden talent... “I’m handy! I do all the little odd jobs around my apartment—I have a tool kit and an electric drill.” InStyle: My guilty pleasure... “I really love to order yummy [food] delivery.” InStyle: The last book I read... “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson.” InStyle: My ideal escape... “The Maldives [below] are spectacular; I’d love to go back there. But, to be honest, we have the most beautiful beaches in the world at our doorstep in Australia. I would happily go somewhere along the [NSW] South Coast with all my loved ones.” InStyle: My most prized possession... “Photos of my family.” InStyle: My proudest moment to date... “It’s a tie. They actually happened at the exact same time [in 2017]—walking for Victoria’s Secret and becoming a David Jones ambassador.” InStyle: I’m inspired by... “Nature. I’m constantly in awe of the colour of the ocean, trees, and my phone is full of photos of flowers!” InStyle: Not many people know... “I’m into finance. I even went to the New York Stock Exchange for the ringing of the bell—I learned so much.” InStyle: In my make-up bag you’ll and... “Hand sanitiser, YSL concealer and a tinted lip balm that I can use [on my] lips, eyes and cheeks. I like Kiehl’s Butterstick Lip Treatment in Naturally Nude and Lanolips Tinted Balm [right, in Perfect Nude, $14.95; 02-8709 8800].” InStyle: My in-flight essentials... “Water, hand cream, Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, [an] eye mask and earplugs.” InStyle: My first CD... “It was either Britney [Spears] or The Spice Girls!” My go-to karaoke song... “‘Horses’ by Daryl Braithwaite.” InStyle: My celebrity crush... “Heath Ledger [below]. Always will be.” InStyle: My favourite movie... “I have two: Love Actually and The Intouchables.” InStyle: My coffee order... “A long black with cinnamon.” My last meal would be... “That’s a tough one! I’m a foodie. Probably Japanese.” InStyle: My drink of choice... “I rarely drink, but red wine.” InStyle: My favourite restaurant... “Sugar fish in Manhattan.” InStyle: Currently I’m watching... “I don’t watch much TV, but I loved Big Little Lies. It’s the only show I actually binged.” InStyle: My Instagram obsession... “Puppies! @Insta_dogs is heaven.” InStyle: It’s never too late to... “Change your thinking.”

MBFWA

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Social credit: @azfilesofficial Photos: Stacey Hendrickson

From David Jones Instastory

MBFWA 2018

Victoria Lee: From country girl to catwalk queen dailytelegraph.com LIKE any model who has reached the top of their game, Victoria Lee has cultivated resilience over the course of her career in fashion. For the 27-year-old, it’s a necessary quality that has seen her through the inevitable vicissitudes of a notoriously fickle industry. “I’ve always been aware that whatever job you’re going for, there’s an image in the person’s mind of what they’re looking for,” Lee tells Stellar. “And you may be that — and you may not. And that’s OK.” While she has maintained that professional perspective since she first started modelling in Australia at 19 (“you have to have that for self-preservation”), Lee admits she let her guard down when she found out she was in the running to become a David Jones ambassador. The model had just landed back in Australia after walking in the historic Victoria’s Secret show in Shanghai — the world-famous US lingerie brand’s first in Asia — late last year. Scoring a coveted role on that catwalk, which has played host to the likes of supermodels Tyra Banks, Gisele Bündchen, Naomi Campbell, Heidi Klum, Miranda Kerr and Gigi Hadid, was already a career-defining achievement. Lee grew up in the small NSW town of Narrandera, but has based herself in New York since the age of 20, building up an impressive portfolio by working with high-profile fashion houses including DKNY, Vivienne Westwood, Ralph Lauren and Balmain. Nevertheless, as she sat down at a cafe near the retail giant’s flagship store in Sydney’s Elizabeth Street for a meeting with David Jones CEO David Thomas, she was unable to maintain a dispassionate front once she faced the prospect of notching up another career high point, especially one on home turf. Lee knew it was a risk to allow herself to become vulnerable when discussing the role. “You become so exposed — it’s that separation between who you are and the job. You have to have that protection, otherwise you become so much more vulnerable to the knockbacks, which are inevitable. But this was really close to my heart and very important for me, so I couldn’t really help myself,” she says. “I was emotional, because I’ve grown up shopping at David Jones — there are moments that stick out in my mind like no other and they involved DJs. On a personal level, there’s that. But on a career level, I’m fully aware of the past ambassadors, and the lineage of Lauren Hutton, Megan Gale, Miranda Kerr and the current ambassadors Jessica Gomes and Adam Goodes — that’s not wasted on me. “I wasn’t sure what was happening and then eventually I found out that it was all going ahead, and you could have knocked me over with a feather. I was quite beside myself.” In fact, Lee’s openness was one of the qualities that convinced Thomas she was right for the job. “It was such a lovely chat,” he tells Stellar. “We spoke about her being from Narrandera; all of her family still lives out there, and she loves it. She was able to talk of the moments when she came to the store as a kid with her family and looked at the Christmas windows; she’d grown up with David Jones. She spoke very openly about how special it was for her and she started crying. It was touching to see how much it meant.” As the department store approaches celebrations for its 180th birthday, Thomas is acutely aware of maintaining the retail icon’s status and reflecting its heritage while still maintaining the founders’ entrepreneurial spirit, all while catering to the constantly evolving demands of customers. Much of that culminates in choosing someone like Lee to carry the store’s reputation as an ambassador. “She’s lovely and friendly and a real country girl,” Thomas says. “Like country people in general, there’s a real honesty and openness — they’re quite gregarious. That carries through with them all through their lives. You see that in Victoria. She’s a person that cares about the community and demonstrates it, and that is very important.” He mentions Lee’s philanthropic interests, which include supporting endangered animals and environmental conservation, and observes, “We want people who can engage with fashion and look great, but we want people that really care about society as well.” Since signing on as an ambassador, Lee has also become something of an expert on the store’s history. The department store was opened by its Welsh-born migrant namesake on May 24, 1838 in Sydney. “They’re the oldest department store in the world that operate under the original name,” Lee says; this means the Australian retailer outflanks other well-known operators, including London’s Harrods, which opened in 1849, and New York’s Bloomingdale’s, which was founded in 1872. The first store, which originally stood on the corner of George and Barrack Streets, stocked exclusive, high-quality textiles. It was in 1927 that a move was made to its flagship premises on Elizabeth Street, where it still stands today and is currently undergoing a $200 million revamp. While the future of bricks-and-mortar stores in the age of internet shopping might not seem assured, Lee says that for the department store, facing challenges is simply part of the process. “They changed the whole way Australians shop,” she says. “They were the first with mail-order shopping — old-school online shopping, before you could go online. [The company’s first catalogue was distributed in 1890.] And they were the first to bring international designers to Australians — they basically shaped the way we shopped, as well as Australian fashion.” Lee also notes the Sydney store was the site of the first Dior show outside of Paris, in 1948 — historic for its location but also because it showed the now-classic New Look silhouettes, which heralded the end of post-World War II austerity and a departure from the more pared-back, functional clothing that marked the looks of wartime, during rationing. As befits a model, it’s fashion that gets Lee excited. After spending years working overseas, she looks forward to flying the flag for Australian designers as part of her role. “Bec and Bridge, Camilla and Marc, Zimmermann and Rebecca Vallance are probably my go-tos. That’s as much as I can narrow it down; I don’t want to play favourites,” she says with a laugh. Still, Lee grew up far from the international catwalks she has since graced. Narrandera is a five-hour drive from Melbourne and a six-hour drive from Sydney. At the last census in 2016, the town counted just 5853 residents. When Lee starts to speak about her hometown, her voice fills with pride. Her father Chris, 58, is the local undertaker, while her mum Jacki, 57, ran a baby and childrenswear store when Lee and her brother Alex, 25, were growing up. Lee says her father’s profession, especially in a rural area, held a unique place in the community, although she grew up thinking it was unremarkable. “I went on trips with my dad, because the funeral directors in Narrandera look after the smaller communities and towns around the area, so I would go on drives with him. I actually still do if he ever has to do any pick-ups. Growing up, he’d be cleaning the hearse or I’d see the coffins. I was always around it. He’s so good at his job — he’s amazing. To deal with people when they’re in their most vulnerable state, it’s incredible that he can [do that]. My mother was at the other end of the spectrum — she’s in fashion, and that was always so much fun.” Lee says it was always a big occasion for the family to bundle into the car for the long drive to Sydney, where they would head to David Jones and look at the store’s special displays. “I remember the first time I saw the spring Flower Show. We drove specifically to see the flowers and it was just incredible. Also the Christmas windows... the themes change every year. I’m always excited to see what they’ve created. “There are so many pictures on my phone and I had pictures printed — because it was when you just had a camera — and it would just be reflections of people and buses, not actually the windows, so I wasted many a film taking a photo of the Christmas windows! I still go, but the way that I’m shopping there is different. “When I was a kid I beelined for the toys, and then I started to get older I went for the shoes and the dresses and the CDs. I still go to the shoes and the dresses, but I’m back to the baby section buying gifts for my friends. You evolve and David Jones is the constant. I’m really proud to be part of people’s milestones in life.”