Australian men are stereotypically thought of as bronzed Adonises–hyper-masculine, sun-kissed, a bit rough-around-the-edges. However, Sydney’s reality is far more diverse and way more interesting. Meet the new wave of male models reshaping perceptions, showcasing Australia’s multifaceted identity.
Photography by Ellen Virgona for MODELS.com, with styling by Tristan Levi Kane and grooming by Fernnando Miranda.
Jin Choi
Agency: IMG Australia (Sydney)
Where are you from? I was born in Sydney, NSW, and my background is Korean.
How old are you? 20
Instagram: @jinchoiboy
What’s the most typically Australian thing about you? Using “you reckon” in nearly every conversation.
Tell us a bit about the part of Australia you are from. What are the best and worst things? The best part about living in Sydney is probably the Blue Mountains cause it’s such a good hiking spot; also, there are so many beaches in Sydney, and they’re all so lovely. Sydney could be even more fun if people realised there’s lots more to do than just the city’s inner east.
Your favorite word or phrase? “Claws out!” from the TV show Miraculous Ladybug.
What fashion trends are you seeing in your hometown? Corporate chic.
A non-touristy thing/place visitors to Australia should check out: Burwood Chinatown markets.
What do you think Australia does best? Sarcasm.
Where are you from? I was born in Sydney, NSW, and my background is Korean.
How old are you? 20
Instagram: @jinchoiboy
What’s the most typically Australian thing about you? Using “you reckon” in nearly every conversation.
Tell us a bit about the part of Australia you are from. What are the best and worst things? The best part about living in Sydney is probably the Blue Mountains cause it’s such a good hiking spot; also, there are so many beaches in Sydney, and they’re all so lovely. Sydney could be even more fun if people realised there’s lots more to do than just the city’s inner east.
Your favorite word or phrase? “Claws out!” from the TV show Miraculous Ladybug.
What fashion trends are you seeing in your hometown? Corporate chic.
A non-touristy thing/place visitors to Australia should check out: Burwood Chinatown markets.
What do you think Australia does best? Sarcasm.
Agency: Kult Australia (Sydney)
Where are you from? Eora (Sydney)
How old are you? 20
Instagram: @ll4f__n
What’s the most typically Australian thing about you? I think the most typically Australian thing about me is that I’m very laid back and absolutely love getting out into nature.
Tell us a bit about the part of Australia you are from. What are the best and worst things? Sydney is great because it’s a big city, but it feels very small once you have lived there for a while. I think this is both an upside and a downside. It definitely can feel hard to disappear or blend into the crowd if you’re in that kind of mood.
Your favorite word or phrase? I’m not really into Aussie slang, but I think the phrase “Woop woop” sounds very funny when used seriously. It means “in the middle of nowhere.”
What fashion trends are you seeing in your hometown? Of course, the internet really influences a lot of people, as it does in many places. In terms of local trends this summer, I think it’s usually just whatever suits the weather. When it’s 40°C, it seems fashion becomes a much lower priority for a lot of people.
A non-touristy thing/place visitors to Australia should check out: You definitely have to go experience the national parks. Specifically, some of the waterfalls in and around the Blue Mountains are pretty magical.
What do you think Australia does best? Although I’ve already mentioned these things, essentially: beautiful nature, lovely people, and things are very laid-back.
Where are you from? Eora (Sydney)
How old are you? 20
Instagram: @ll4f__n
What’s the most typically Australian thing about you? I think the most typically Australian thing about me is that I’m very laid back and absolutely love getting out into nature.
Tell us a bit about the part of Australia you are from. What are the best and worst things? Sydney is great because it’s a big city, but it feels very small once you have lived there for a while. I think this is both an upside and a downside. It definitely can feel hard to disappear or blend into the crowd if you’re in that kind of mood.
Your favorite word or phrase? I’m not really into Aussie slang, but I think the phrase “Woop woop” sounds very funny when used seriously. It means “in the middle of nowhere.”
What fashion trends are you seeing in your hometown? Of course, the internet really influences a lot of people, as it does in many places. In terms of local trends this summer, I think it’s usually just whatever suits the weather. When it’s 40°C, it seems fashion becomes a much lower priority for a lot of people.
A non-touristy thing/place visitors to Australia should check out: You definitely have to go experience the national parks. Specifically, some of the waterfalls in and around the Blue Mountains are pretty magical.
What do you think Australia does best? Although I’ve already mentioned these things, essentially: beautiful nature, lovely people, and things are very laid-back.
Agency: Kult Australia (Sydney)
Where are you from? I was originally born in the South of France in a town called Saint-Gaudens and then raised in Sydney, Australia.
How old are you? 19
Instagram: @imlouissteele
What’s the most typically Australian thing about you? I think the most typical Australian thing about me is being down the beach and surfing whenever I can.
Tell us a bit about the part of Australia you are from. What are the best and worst things? In my opinion, the worst part of Sydney is the crowds. Because Sydney is typically known for its good weather and beautiful locations, it attracts a lot of tourists. For me, the best part is the culture of cuisine and the landscape of the east coast.
Your favorite word or phrase? “J’ai faim.” In English, this translates to “I’m hungry.” Whenever I get the chance, I’ll be eating :)
What fashion trends are you seeing in your hometown? Fashion trends I see coming to life more are vintage pieces being worn and also styling sports jerseys with your outfit.
A non-touristy thing/place visitors to Sydney should check out: When people who are new to Australia ask me what to do, I honestly tell them to explore the coastline. Whether you go north or south, it’s very beautiful, and I’m sure you will enjoy your time.
What do you think Australia does best? Provide entertainment to anyone staying or living in Sydney, whether it be hosting sports events, performances being singing and dancing, and fashion week.
Where are you from? I was originally born in the South of France in a town called Saint-Gaudens and then raised in Sydney, Australia.
How old are you? 19
Instagram: @imlouissteele
What’s the most typically Australian thing about you? I think the most typical Australian thing about me is being down the beach and surfing whenever I can.
Tell us a bit about the part of Australia you are from. What are the best and worst things? In my opinion, the worst part of Sydney is the crowds. Because Sydney is typically known for its good weather and beautiful locations, it attracts a lot of tourists. For me, the best part is the culture of cuisine and the landscape of the east coast.
Your favorite word or phrase? “J’ai faim.” In English, this translates to “I’m hungry.” Whenever I get the chance, I’ll be eating :)
What fashion trends are you seeing in your hometown? Fashion trends I see coming to life more are vintage pieces being worn and also styling sports jerseys with your outfit.
A non-touristy thing/place visitors to Sydney should check out: When people who are new to Australia ask me what to do, I honestly tell them to explore the coastline. Whether you go north or south, it’s very beautiful, and I’m sure you will enjoy your time.
What do you think Australia does best? Provide entertainment to anyone staying or living in Sydney, whether it be hosting sports events, performances being singing and dancing, and fashion week.
Luci Katada
Agency: March Mgmt
Where are you from? Sydney, New South Wales
How old are you? 20
Instagram: @lucienkatada
What’s the most typically Australian thing about you? I adore fairy bread and Vegemite (not together, lol) – with a careful butter-to-Vegemite ratio, though, I’m reasonably civilized.
Tell us a bit about the part of Australia you are from. What are the best and worst things?I can get any cuisine and know it’ll be authentic and delish, but Sydney streets have a grunge chic that I’m not a fan of.
Your favorite word or phrase? 勿体ない (mottainai) What a waste!
What fashion trends are you seeing in your hometown? I love the current experimentation from all people and the shift away from traditional gender roles, enabling more authentic self-expression.
A non-touristy thing/place visitors to Australia should check out: Bondi is so whatever – no matter how you beach, Clovelly is where it’s at.
What do you think Sydney does best? Water. It is so incredibly clean you can drink it straight from the tap.
Where are you from? Sydney, New South Wales
How old are you? 20
Instagram: @lucienkatada
What’s the most typically Australian thing about you? I adore fairy bread and Vegemite (not together, lol) – with a careful butter-to-Vegemite ratio, though, I’m reasonably civilized.
Tell us a bit about the part of Australia you are from. What are the best and worst things?I can get any cuisine and know it’ll be authentic and delish, but Sydney streets have a grunge chic that I’m not a fan of.
Your favorite word or phrase? 勿体ない (mottainai) What a waste!
What fashion trends are you seeing in your hometown? I love the current experimentation from all people and the shift away from traditional gender roles, enabling more authentic self-expression.
A non-touristy thing/place visitors to Australia should check out: Bondi is so whatever – no matter how you beach, Clovelly is where it’s at.
What do you think Sydney does best? Water. It is so incredibly clean you can drink it straight from the tap.
Tomas Genero
Agency: IMG Australia (Sydney)
Where are you from? Canberra, Australia Capital Territory, Australia
How old are you? 19
Instagram: @Tom.genero
What’s the most typically Australian thing about you? My best friend has pet wombats.
Tell us a bit about the part of Australia you are from. What are the best and worst things? I’m from Canberra, the capital of Australia. The thing I love most about Canberra is its slow pace of living. On the other hand, Canberra can get very boring very quickly because of its slow pace.
Your favorite word or phrase? “Op-shopping.” It means to go secondhand shopping.
What fashion trends are you seeing in your hometown? A winter fashion staple in Canberra is Kathmandu black puffer jackets; everyone has one.
A non-touristy thing/place visitors to Australia should check out: The south coast is one of my favorite places. It has so many beautiful secluded beaches to visit all year round.
What do you think Australia does best? Because Australia is such a diverse country, different people are able to share their culture through food. The variety and authenticity here is unmatched.
Where are you from? Canberra, Australia Capital Territory, Australia
How old are you? 19
Instagram: @Tom.genero
What’s the most typically Australian thing about you? My best friend has pet wombats.
Tell us a bit about the part of Australia you are from. What are the best and worst things? I’m from Canberra, the capital of Australia. The thing I love most about Canberra is its slow pace of living. On the other hand, Canberra can get very boring very quickly because of its slow pace.
Your favorite word or phrase? “Op-shopping.” It means to go secondhand shopping.
What fashion trends are you seeing in your hometown? A winter fashion staple in Canberra is Kathmandu black puffer jackets; everyone has one.
A non-touristy thing/place visitors to Australia should check out: The south coast is one of my favorite places. It has so many beautiful secluded beaches to visit all year round.
What do you think Australia does best? Because Australia is such a diverse country, different people are able to share their culture through food. The variety and authenticity here is unmatched.