Gemma Ward Goes Bold In Artistic Optimism for Vogue Australia March 2021

Beloved Aussie model Gemma Ward breaks out of Earth Mother mode and strides boldly into a creative space that is modern and energized by eye-popping pattern and color. The Vogue Australia March 2021 cover star was game for a fashion identity makeover, embracing a jolt of fashion excitement that transported her back to the mid-2000s and her “it girl” status. Talents like Seven Meisel, Craig McDean, Mario Sorrenti and Edward Enninful were in a Gemma Ward state of mind.

Stylist Jillian Davidson spearheaded the March 2021 Vogue Australia contribution to the theme of creativity, calling on photographer Derek Henderson [IG] for the trip to Byron Bay in New South Wales./ Hair by Sohie Roberts and Diane Georgievski; makeup by Linda Jefferyes

Writer Jessica Montague shares the back story for the fashion shoot Oh, The Place You’ll Go’. in her written narrative March cover star Gemma Ward welcomes us into her world.

Ward was full of enthusiasm about her Vogue Australia cover story adventure. Jillian Davidson explains their mood.

“There’s something really special about being on a shoot where you know someone is dying to get creative and finally is able to let loose. There’s an energy and you can tell everyone is doing it for love, not money. You realise you’re doing something that has some kind of art and love and passion behind it.”

Young Sydney artist and designer Jordan Gogos [IG] produced the brilliantly patchworked fabrics that prompted Ward to reflect on creativity and artistry.

“I grew up in a very artistic household and I’ve always believed in the power of art and the healing power of composition and colour,” she says, reflecting on her three siblings and their creative upbringing.

“I do hope we see more of that going forward – creating for the sake of creating and creating for the sake of creating art, something that is uplifting or makes you think or even just for the sake of being modern. It’s something I think the world needs, even if it doesn’t have a specific monetary goal. Otherwise we tend to see the same things and it can fall into a trap of being all about selling or being commercial and then it loses its soul a little bit.”

The interview is a long one, and Gemma Ward reflects deeply on her life, her kids and projects in work. She is now more focused on writing for screen, having nurtured the interest after completing a course at the Australian Film Television and Radio School in 2013.

“I have three projects: two screenplays and one maybe-novel that could probably be a screenplay, too,” she reveals. “It’s another form of [maintaining] mental health for me. It helps me seek out my views on different themes and recurring issues I might have in my life.” Of the new batch, one project is a comedy mined from motherhood, while there’s also a darker narrative that “brings more of my experiences through being a young model,” Ward says cryptically, without revealing any more.

The Gemma Ward narrative continues at Vogue Australia: March cover star Gemma Ward welcomes us into her world.