Model Jessica Gomes praises the Australian fashion industry for becoming diverse – and says she is no longer snubbed for her exotic looks
Jessica Gomes previously admitted that her early years working as a model in the US were no easy feat, with some high-end labels knocking her back for her exotic looks.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph’s Confidential on Sunday, the 35-year-old said the Australian fashion industry has become ‘completely diverse’ over the past 15 years.
‘I think that it’s awesome that things have really progressed, now I don’t have those issues (to do with being snubbed by casting agents for her looks) so it’s awesome,’ the Australian of Portuguese, Singaporean and Chinese heritage explained.
‘Things have really progressed’: Model Jessica Gomes, 35, praised the Australian fashion industry for becoming diverse, and says she is no longer snubbed for her exotic looks, in an interview with The Daily Telegraph’s Confidential on Sunday. Pictured this month
Jessica continued: ‘I think now we have diversity completely. Obviously, over 15 years ago it was a different time.’
Last month, Jessica admitted that her early years living in New York were no easy feat, with some high-end labels knocking her back for being ‘too curvy’.
Before appearing in eight Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issues and fronting campaigns for American brands, one encounter back in 2006 left her deeply demoralised.
Diversity: ‘I think that it’s awesome that things have really progressed, now I don’t have those issues (to do with being snubbed by casting agents for her looks) so it’s awesome,’ the Australian of Portuguese, Singaporean and Chinese heritage explained. Pictured last month
Jessica attended a casting in New York where the director sighed and prodded her breasts after fitting her in an outfit.
In an interview with Stellar magazine, she recalled him having said, ‘It’s too tight. Your boobs are too big.’
‘I felt really bad about myself. I was getting knocked back by a lot of fashion brands because I was too curvy,’ she told the publication.
In hindsight, the rejection turned out to be a blessing, with Sports Illustrated booking her shortly after.
Changing scene: Jessica continued: ‘I think now we have diversity completely. Obviously, over 15 years ago it was a different time.’ Pictured at a David Jones fashion launch in 2015
‘My agent was like, “Don’t worry, Sports Illustrated has just booked you. They love your boobs. They’re great! So you’re going to do that”,’ she recalled.
Having now modelled for just over two decades, Jessica is busier than ever, not only fronting campaigns, but also turning her hand to business and acting.
The Perth-born star told Vogue Australia in 2019 that she’s now more at ease with her looks.
‘I feel like I know who I am now. I know what I like and I know what looks good on me,’ she said.
Experiences: Last month, Jessica admitted to Stellar magazine that her early years living in New York were no easy feat, with some labels knocking her back for being ‘too curvy’. Referencing a 2006 casting, she said she was left deeply demoralised. Pictured in 2008