Magnolia Maymuru made headlines as the first Indigenous woman to represent the Northern Territory in the Miss World Australia pageant in July.
Though she didn't take out the title – she made it to the final 10 – there has been a buzz about Magnolia Maymuru ever since and the leggy 19-year-old recently featured in the summer campaign for Melbourne shopping centre Chadstone.
Magnolia MaymuruCredit:Nic Walker
The pace of life has picked up for the teenager from East Arnhem Land, who has gone from hunting turtles and catching mud crabs to being the scene-stealer at fashion shows.
Born in Yirrkala, 650 kilometres east of Darwin, she never thought she'd be in the spotlight. "I was always told I could be a model because of my height but I never thought it was possible," says Maymuru, the eldest of four children.
Maminydjama Maymuru of the Northern Territory walks the runway during the Miss World Australia 2016.Credit:Scott Barbour
She was discovered in 2014 on a Darwin street by the director of Northern Territory Fashion Week, Mehali Tsangari, who is now her manager. "I was working as a sports and recreation officer [in Darwin] when I entered Miss World Australia," says Maymuru.
"I wanted to empower young women from Indigenous communities who think they don't really stand a chance in competitions, to show them they can follow their dream."
Maymuru was the ambassador for this year's Darwin Art Fair and the creative urge is strong in her family – the artwork of her paternal grandmother, Naminapu Maymuru-White, is collected internationally, and her father Rrawun is a founding member of the band East Journey.
"My mum and grandmother always check in to see how I am going and teach me to remain grounded," she says. "I am about breaking down barriers and stereotypes.
"And I want to get to a place where I'm not described as an Indigenous model but simply as a model."
In her spare time, Maymura likes to watch YouTube videos of international models so she can learn more about catwalk technique and facial expressions, and her enthusiasm for her profession is infectious.
"I never thought Chadstone would choose me," she says sipping a hot chocolate. "It's so exciting."
Most Viewed in Lifestyle
Please explain
Our weekly podcast giving you insight into the stories that drive the nation.
Listen now