A budding model from the Sunshine Coast who is passionate about giving a voice to young Indigenous women is set to make her mark on the world as she takes to catwalk.
Falling in love with modelling at age 13, Buderim local Keeley Foster quickly discovered that she wanted to be a positive influence on the industry.
Growing up she rarely saw people like herself represented in photo shoots, the fashion industry or on the runway.
Being of Indigenous descent – from the Kamilaroi people – Keeley hopes to be a role model for others and continue to pave the way for diversity and inclusivity.
Her first step will be in the coming weeks as she vies for a win in the finals of the 2023 Australian Supermodel of the Year (ASOTY) competition.
“I feel like not many Indigenous people are represented in the modelling industry,” she told Sunshine Coast News.
“It has begun to change, which is amazing, but I want to show young Indigenous kids that you really can do anything you set your mind to.”
Keeley said that when she was first assigned to an agency at 13, her ethnicity was automatically determined as Caucasian based purely off her appearance.
“It didn’t take long to see some of the downsides to the industry, including racial stereotypes and the misrepresentation of models,” she said.
“Not many people would see me as Indigenous as I do have pale skin, and when I first got with an agency my ethnicity was put down as white and it did take me back a bit.
“That was crazy as a young girl seeing that.”
After taking a break from modelling she rediscovered it around age 15, balancing it with finishing school at Chancellor State College.
Since leaving school in 2021, Keeley has been studying psychology at the University of the Sunshine Coast with the hopes of one day working in the field of clinical psychology.
The talented teenager also has a love of art, with one of her pieces, Polka, exhibited at GOMA in Brisbane last year.
In Bali, Keeley will join with the other ASOTY finalists from across the country and meet with industry experts and mentors prior to the finals on February 4.
During the finals she will wear a dress from 19-year-old Noosa designer Teddy McRitchie.
She said it was refreshing to be part of an organisation where modelling was gearing towards empowerment of others.
Categories within the competition include curve, petite and Indigenous models, as well as a street category for models who want to show off tattoos and piercings, and a modest category for women of different religious backgrounds.
“I love what ASOTY stands for and what they advocate, and I want to learn how to be a better model and person of influence for the environment, diversity and inclusivity,” Keeley said.
“Everyone is not a cookie cutter of what the beauty standards are, and beauty standards change like trends.
“I feel like if people see their body type or skin colour on a runway or in a photo shoot, they will feel more comfortable in their own skin.
“Inclusivity is so important so people feel comfortable and love themselves.”
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