A MOMENT WITH
Trailblazing model Tarlisa Gaykamangu

Words
ALICE BIRRELL

Meet Tarlisa Gaykamangu and it becomes immediately obvious she’s someone out of the ordinary. It’s not just because of her innate beauty – though the 22-year-old model’s soft tumble of onyx hair and deep pooling eyes are unmissable – but a rare combination of thoughtfulness, strength and confidence beyond her years.

It might be that emerging name Gaykamangu, a Yolgnu woman from East Arnhem land, carries with her over 60,000 years of culture: Australia’s Indigenous peoples are guardians of the oldest continuous living culture on earth. “I stay connected to my culture and the Country because that’s where my roots lie,” she explains of keeping family on the small island of Milingimbi close to mind, no matter how far her new path as a model takes her.

More recently it saw her go as far as Milan, roughly 15,000km (9,000 miles) from home. It was here Gaykamangu made her breakout runway appearance, chosen by Bottega Veneta creative director Matthieu Blazy last February, her first international runway. Aunty Liandra Gaykamangu, owner of her own swimwear label, and Grandma Gwen Warmbirrirr travelled with her, cheering her on, while her family logged on at 4am back home to watch her walk.

They are just some of the many women and family members who are an anchoring point for Gaykamangu, who lives a life on the island centred on community. It was Liandra who encouraged Tarlisa to pursue modelling in 2022 and who stood by her side when she shot her first cover with Vogue Australia last year.

She represents not just a shift in the definition of beauty – few First Nations Australian models have been represented on international runways, and no model from Arnhem Land has walked overseas – but a new generation of models who are being embraced for who they are. To wit, staff at Bottega Veneta watched a video on Gaykamangu’s culture, known for its accomplished weavers who create art using native pandanus trees and bark.

At home in Australia, she’s a source of pride in the fashion industry, but she’s focused on forging a path for others like her. In these self-directed images, she’s captured on Dharug Country during a visit to Sydney. Choosing the looks herself, she represents a young woman on the cusp, comfortable in her skin, in images that she hopes conveys “beauty and melanin.”

HUSH
Where are you now and can you tell us what you are doing?

TARLISA
I’m at Milingimbi and enjoying community life.

HUSH
You have had a really big year, walking for Bottega Veneta and shooting your first ever cover, for Vogue Australia. How have you grown or changed from these experiences?

TARLISA
It made me strong and confident.

HUSH
You come from a beautiful and unique part of the world. What is a typical day like for you in Milingimbi?

TARLISA
Milingimbi is the one unique place surrounded by salt water and it is easy to go around meeting friends and families. This community is full of many cultures that I sometimes join, and mingle with my friends and families.

HUSH
Can you describe why family is important to you, and how has your Aunty Liandra been a support for you?

TARLISA
My families are supportive and they’re loving and caring, and we share everything in my family. Liandra has been there for me since day one, and she has been a strong tower to me, to get me where I am today.

HUSH
There are strong women in your family. Who do you look up to, or who do you turn to for advice?

TARLISA
There are so many strong women in the Milingimbi Community that I look up to. I ask anyone, I ask mainly my grandmother Gwen Warmbirrirr.

HUSH
You set an example when you shared your culture with the Bottega Veneta team on the other side of the world. What do you hope the impact of sharing culture through your modelling career is?

TARLISA
As an Indigenous model my culture means a lot to me. It represents who I am and where I come from. I may impact and influence other Yolngu people to seek their potential in a modelling career.

HUSH
How do you hope you might change things for other models who come after you?

TARLISA
It is something so special and inspiring to be a role model in this career. I will encourage and support the other models that have to come after me.

HUSH
When you’re not working, what do you like to do?

TARLISA
I like to go out hunting, fishing, and have quality time with my family.

HUSH
What does a moment in hush look like for you? A moment of quiet and calm when you can reflect and take time for yourself.

TARLISA
I relax, rest a bit and have a lot of time pampering myself.

HUSH
For someone who doesn’t know you, how would you describe yourself in three words?

TARLISA
Humble, loving, kind.

Lately, we've been exploring moments in Hush from different perspectives – inviting five women artists from London and Australia to showcase their interpretation alongside our new collection. Find our more about the other women we worked with here.

Hush was founded by Australian Mandy Watkins in 2003 and continues to be inspired by its Aussie roots. As we photograph our collection in Australia and work with the Australian creative community, we feel it’s important to acknowledge, and show respect for, the Traditional Owners of the land we operate on. Therefore, you might have noticed that the locations of our photoshoots in Australia are identified by two names. One is the English place name; the other recognises the Traditional Owners of that land.

MORE FEATURES