New faces: Martika Walford

Fascinating to hear just how models get scouted. So far in frockwriter's New Faces series, modelling hopefuls have been spotted riding their horses, on Facebook, at a bus stop and enrolled in a grooming course paid for by grandma. In the case of indigenous beauty Martika Walford, she can thank her boarding school for bringing her to the attention of the industry.

New faces: April Tiplady

Two years ago, when she was 14, April Tiplady’s grandmother bought her a grooming course at Adelaide’s Finesse Models to help her confidence. Last week she was signed to IMG Models worldwide.

New faces: Grace Simmons

Australia’s Next Top Model is back in the news with this morning’s announcement that former Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins is the new host for Cycle 8, which commences production in January. But while AusNTM has proven to be the most successful NTM franchise in the world in terms of springboarding international modelling careers – from Alice Burdeu to Amanda Ware and Montana Cox – the Girlfriend Model Search remains Australia's most successful modelling competition overall. Alumni include Abbey Lee Kershaw, Catherine McNeil, Alyssa Sutherland, Pania Rose, Jemma Baines and Chrystal Copland. Grace Simmons is the latest GMS inductee.

The Victoria Racing Club imposes a hatwa on Andrej Pejic's Princess Beatrice tribute

suzanne carbone via the age

Well, well, well. In today's update about our post on Andrej Pejic's planned ensemble for Crown Oaks Day at Flemington, we spoke to everyone other than Melbourne milliner Kerrie Stanley. We spoke to Pejic, his mum, his agent and even designer Arthur Galan, asking why he was en route to the races in a different jacket and hat than originally planned. "He had a few different options" offered agent Matthew Anderson. "The hat didn't turn up in time" said Pejic. Had we managed to also reach Stanley, then perhaps we might have learned a little earlier on about the intriguing, last-minute hatwa that was imposed by the Victoria Racing Club on Pejic, Stanley and the Swisse Vitamins marquee which was hosting him. Why? Hilariously, so as not to offend Treacy - who was down at Flemington for the second consecutive year as the VRC's International Style Ambassador. Apparently the VRC and Philip Treacy may have had a humour bypass.  

Andrej Pejic is wearing a trouser suit to Ladies Day

andrej pejic at flemington 08/11/12 via kim wilson's instagram

What with all the high-profilers in town for Melbourne's Spring Racing Carnival, wheeling in favours from their internationally-renowed creative mates - Stephen Jones and L'Wren Scott kitted out Nicole Kidman for Derby Day and Bruce Oldfield and Philip Treacy dressed the Duchess of Cornwall for the Melbourne Cup - some local outfitters may be feeling a little upstaged at the moment. But Andrej Pejic is supporting the home team with his outfit for tomorrow's Crown Oaks Day at Flemington, aka Ladies Day. (See update, below)

Camilla recycles her wardrobe (and channels Kate Moss) to touch down in Oz

via zimbio.com

Nice to see some of the older British royals taking notes from Kate Middleton and recycling their wardrobes.

New faces: Madison Finn

self portrait madison finn

Do models get scouted on Facebook? Apparently so. Above is the Facebook profile picture of Madison Finn that piqued the curiosity of Maverick Model Management founder Erika Pek while reading another model's FB timeline.  

Nicole Kidman adds a touch of green - and My Fair Lady - to Derby Day

via luke dennehy's instagram

The traditional dress code for the first event in the Melbourne Cup Carnival, today’s Derby Day, is supposed to be black and white. But frockwriter can reveal that VVIP guest Nicole Kidman will be adding a touch of green. Kidman’s publicist Wendy Day tells us that Kidman will be wearing a dress by American designer L’Wren Scott, a long-time Kidman fave (and the longtime partner of rocker Mick Jagger), and a hat by British milliner Stephen Jones. Day added that there is an “eco-friendly” aspect to Kidman’s Derby Day outfit. UPDATE: Kidman did in fact go with one of the original Green Cut outfits designed by Scott and Jones (pictured above, with the original dress below) - a shorter adaptation, as we predicted. 

New faces: Elina Moscheni

anton zemlyanoy via viviens management

Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide - and even Alice Springs - have been launchpads for some of this country's biggest modelling names in recent years. Now it's Darwin's turn. 

Prince Charles to meet Australian fashion royalty - and some sheep

via the clitheroe advertiser

Now that Andrej Pejic has met the Queen, it’s only fitting that some other members of the Australian fashion flock get to mingle with the Royals. If you didn’t already know by now, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall are en route to Australia with a whirlwind itinerary that will take in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup – in fact the duo is due to present the trophy to the winner. Far less well-advertised on their Aussie to-do list is a Woolmark event on Friday 9th November at the Museum of Contemporary Art.