Janina Taylor
Bailey Martin, a rising star in the modelling scene, has emerged victorious, securing the prestigious Mr. Runway Supermodel Australia 2023 title. The win marks a remarkable achievement in Bailey’s budding career and showcases his exceptional talent and dedication to the art of modeling.
Bailey’s journey to the crown began with a mix of nerves and excitement as it was his first foray into the modelling scene. Now holding the significant title of Mr. Runway Supermodel Australia 2023, Bailey aspires to use his platform to inspire others. He emphasised the importance of not caring about societal standards and fostering a positive body image. Bailey envisions contributing to the fashion industry by working hard to be the best model he can be and using his video marketing skills to create compelling content for brands.
Bailey’s journey in the competition allowed him to build relationships with experienced individuals in the industry, including securing a contract from an overseas agency and walking in a fashion show in Dubai. These connections are poised to impact Bailey’s future endeavours as he continues to learn and grow within the modelling world.
As Bailey sets his sights on the future, his goals include being more consistent with social media, advocating for brands, and creating engaging content. With aspirations to be the best model he can be, Bailey acknowledges the challenges ahead but remains optimistic that hard work and dedication will lead to success.
StarCentral Magazine recently had the opportunity to connect with Bailey to delve into his experiences in the industry. Here’s a glimpse into the insightful conversation that unfolded.
Congratulations on being crowned Mr. Runway Supermodel Australia 2023! How does it feel to have won the male section of such a prestigious competition?
Honestly, I am grateful and so blessed to have received the opportunity to even compete in such a competition, and the fact that I was able to take that role home was a true blessing that I will forever cherish.
Can you share with us the journey leading up to the competition? What inspired you to participate in Runway Supermodel Australia, and how did you prepare for it?
It was the first time I had ever stepped into the modelling scene, so I was quite nervous. However, the support and love I received from the other models and the entire team made me feel comfortable and confident. I learned about the event when Willy Bagatcholon approached me; he really caught me out of the blue when he asked me if I was interested in modeling. When I was approached, I had been thinking about pursuing modelling, so I guess I was at the right place at the right time. From the very beginning, William has been a tremendous support.
The competition often involves showcasing not only physical attributes but also personality and style. How did you bring your unique personality and style to the runway, and what aspects of your identity did you want to highlight?
Being around charismatic and gifted people definitely helps; it made me feel a lot more confident in expressing my true self, which can sometimes be goofy. Your expression on the runway comes down to your clothing, so I wanted to showcase how far I’ve come since the beginning of the competition by staying strong and confident and portraying a great expressive emotion relative to the clothing I was wearing.
Being in the spotlight during a competition can be both thrilling and challenging. How did you manage the pressure and stay confident throughout the different stages of the competition?
The first stage was completely nerve-racking for me. My first ever shoot was in swimwear – literally trunks. So, I had nothing to play with; it was up to me and my movement to create good shots. But being in this situation was perfect to break the ice for me; I received some really confronting feedback, which was tough to take. However, I stayed on and am thankful that I did because I was shown the importance of staying calm on the surface but confident within. Also, I can’t thank the other models enough; their experience helped me a lot with my poses, facial expressions, and runway walks, which ultimately gave me the confidence to go on and win.
Runway Supermodel Australia emphasizes the importance of confidence and self-expression. How has this experience influenced your self-confidence and your approach to expressing yourself through fashion and modeling?
It’s helped tremendously. Confidence is gained through experience so I’m very thankful that I was able to go through the competition the way I did. It has been a massive stepping stone for me in the industry, and from where I started to now, I have gained a lot more self-confidence through the experience I’ve had with Runway Supermodel Australia, both on and off the runway. I’m still learning each and every day. I still take time out of my day to stand in front of the mirror and practice poses and facial expressions. It’s really made me realise the difference in an expression just by the squint of an eye or slight raise of the eyebrow. Being a part of Runway Supermodel Australia has dramatically affected my self-confidence, which has helped with things like my style and social media.
Were there any specific challenges or memorable moments during the competition that stood out to you? How did you overcome challenges, and what lessons did you take away from the experience?
As I mentioned earlier, my first shoot was in my trunks. So, if you can imagine, it’s my first time walking on to a set, there are multiple other experienced models around me, I’ve flown interstate so I didn’t know anybody. It’s a whole new environment. I had no previous training whatsoever; I was literally just a guy from the coast who was introduced to modelling. My following shoot was with the photographer and another beautiful, experienced model. She helped me a lot throughout the entire competition, but in this one shoot, she made me feel comfortable, confident, and sexy. She gave me multiple poses, and I received constructive criticism, which I appreciated. This day, my first day of modelling, I will never forget; I am thankful that it happened, and I am grateful for the lessons it taught me – to stay confident, calm and comfortable, don’t be afraid to ask for help when it’s needed, and always, always prepare in advance, especially when you’re completely new to the scene.
As the winner of the male section, you now hold a significant title. How do you plan to use this platform to contribute to the fashion and modelling industry or perhaps to advocate for specific causes that are important to you?
At the moment, my main focus is building my social media following. So, I must be consistent with my reels, stories, etc. But thinking about that now, it would be to teach people the importance of not caring about what other people think. I believe in this day and age of social media, a lot of people compare themselves to the “idol figure” they see online, which plays a negative part in their mental health. As for the fashion industry, I want to work hard to be the best model I can be and help create the best content for brands. I am a video marketer, so I believe my content creation skills can help many brands. However, I need a social media following to help me in this, so that’s the plan’s first step.
The competition likely involved collaboration with various professionals in the industry. Can you share some insights into the relationships you built during the competition and how they might impact your future endeavors in the modeling world?
I was fortunate enough to meet some great people who have achieved a lot both inside and outside the industry. I can learn a lot from these people. I am lucky enough to have received a contract from an overseas agency who gave me the opportunity to walk in a fashion show in Dubai, which was crazy. And there, I obviously met some really great people—all whose relationships I cherish and am blessed to have. So yes, from the Runway Supermodel Australia competition, I have met some great people, and I want to continue growing my network in the industry and learn from as many people as possible.
Fashion trends are constantly evolving. How do you stay informed and engaged with current trends?
The usual, TikTok, Instagram. However, I only invest a little time into consuming all this content. I like to wear what I feel comfortable in, most importantly, but also what catches my eye. I do have a couple of style icons that I enjoy looking at for inspiration. The first that comes to mind is Kit Price. He actually helped me when he had a little bit less of a following than he does now and when I was starting out. But anyway, I love his content; I think he’s quite humorous, his style is pretty basic and casual, and he doesn’t go all out, which I like. There are others, too, like Miles Baguette and Dav Brunson, but they’re a little bit more crazy with it.
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations and goals within the modeling industry, and how do you plan to continue growing as a model and ambassador for Runway Supermodel Australia?
I want to be the best model I can possibly be. I understand it’ll be hard work and an emotional roller coaster, but with some luck, all will happen for a reason. My goals this year are to be more consistent with my social media and grow a larger social media following. And then, with this, I will be able to advocate for brands and Runway Supermodel Australia and just create great content that my audience enjoys watching. Having a social media following helps in this industry so much that if I can get that down pat, then all else will fall in place.
Jason Harris
rhoda
