Gemma Ward

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Gemma Ward bigraphy, stories - Australian model

Gemma Ward : biography

3 November 1987 –

Gemma Louise Ward (born 3 November 1987) is an Australian fashion model turned actress.Gaimari, Angela. "", Fashion Week Daily, 6 September 2006. Retrieved on 20 December 2007. Born in Perth, Western Australia, Ward was first scouted at the age of 14, and made her Australian Fashion Week debut aged 15. She later became the youngest model to appear on the cover of the American edition of Vogue, later appearing on the covers of both Teen Vogue and Time. Ward’s first major acting appearance was in the 2007 Australian film The Black Balloon, and she has since also appeared in the horror film The Strangers (2008) and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011).

Career

Modeling

It girl, 2004–2007

At 15 Ward made her Australian Fashion Week debut in May 2003. Within a year, she was in Italy meeting Prada designer Miuccia Prada. Her look inspired a new generation of baby doll-like models such as Vlada Roslyakova, Heather Marks, Lily Cole, and Lisa Cant. In September 2004 at only sixteen, Ward became the youngest model to appear on American Vogue photographed by Steven Meisel as one of the nine "Models of the Moment" with Daria Werbowy, Natalia Vodianova, Gisele Bündchen, Isabeli Fontana, Karolina Kurkova, Liya Kebede, Hana Soukupova and Karen Elson.September 2004 American Vogue

In February 2005, Ward appeared in no less than 20 New York runways for designers that included Vera Wang, Oscar de la Renta and Klein, and was rumored to earn about $20,000 per show. And at 17, she became the famous face of Calvin Klein’s Obsession Night perfume billboards – bumping Kate Moss out of a job in the process. Ward was reportedly paid $1.3 million for the Calvin Klein campaign and counted similar deals with Burberry and Valentino among her model earnings.

Ward then graced the Spring 2005 cover of TIME Magazine’s Style & Design issue. In September 2005, Ward secured a coveted place on the inaugural cover of Vogue China posing between Chinese models Du Juan and Wang Wenqin and was shot by leading photographer Patrick Demarchelier. A staggering 300,000 copies sold in the first three hours. "She is every inch blue chip," Vivien’s agent Suzie Deveridge said. "Right now she’s considered the No. 2 model in the world – and she isn’t even 18 yet."

By 2006 Ward became Australia’s brightest fashion star since Elle Macpherson. At the age of 18, Ward became the first model ever to appear on the cover of Teen Vogue magazine. She was then featured in the Australian television program 60 Minutes as the "It Girl". She was earning $25,000 to stride the catwalk. In Allure magazine (October 2006), Ward is described as "the model of the moment." Allure’s creative director Paul Cavaco stated: "We went through a period that was very va-va-voom, but now the pendulum has swung back. Gemma is ethereal, not earthy." Photographer Michael Thompson says, "She’s an exotic blonde, the rarest of creatures.""That Girl: Gemma Ward?", Allure, October 2006

In July 2007, earning at an estimated total of $3 million in the past 12 months, Forbes named her tenth in the list of the World’s 15 Top-Earning Supermodels.Blakeley, Kiri. "", Forbes, 16 July 2007. Retrieved on 20 December 2007. In October 2007 Ward appeared on the cover of the very first issue of Vogue India, centered between Bollywood actresses Bipasha Basu and Priyanka Chopra shot by photographer Patrick Demarchelier (who also photographed her in Vogue China) and it became the second time Ward has appeared on an inaugural issue. Vogue Paris declared her one of the top 30 models of the 2000s. Retrieved 20 January 2010

Retirement claims, 2008–present

In August 2008, reports surfaced that Ward was to retire from modeling to pursue acting. However, reports were quickly dismissed by Ward herself saying: "I was surprised to wake up this morning and read news of my own retirement. While I am taking some time off currently to rest and enjoy the company of friends and family, I am still very much a (excited and enthusiastic) working model and actress. I’m only 20, for God’s sakes."