A local girl has found success and a home in the US through her now high level modeling career.
Liesl Gaffney-Dawson is an internationally successful model who grew up in Bellingen. She now spends her time between Los Angeles and New York.
She grew up on a community in the bush, home schooled, with horses, dance classes and musical instruments. A far cry from the busy city and jet setting life she currently leads. Last year she traveled to Mexico, Morocco, France, Germany, Greece, Hawaii, Spain.
She has represented brands such as Victoria’s Secret, David Jones, Quiksilver and Nike. She has also graced numerous catwalks and appeared in such magazines as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Cleo and Nylon.
Currently she’s the face of a J-Lo perfume, AG Jeans in Los Angeles and Quiksilver’s new Women’s line.
Recently modeling has taken her on to TV for brands like Mitsubishi, Payless Shoes and Playstation.
Since being in L.A. she has also been done a half hour art piece film for a New York director who uses models in his work. That film has recently screened at the international film festivals Cannes and Sundance.
She can also be seen in film clips for Rooney and Emerson Hart.
Liesl is currently writing a book for young girls about inner beauty and her experiences as a model. She spoke to the Courier-Sun about her grounding in mediation, yoga and simplicity.
Q. You grew up on a community in Bellingen, home schooling, riding horses and spending time with the environment, so when and how did you find the want to be a model?
A. “Friends and I used to collect picture of supermodels when I was about 12 studying at a local Steiner School. I was so drawn to the photos, the art and beauty. I also saw it as a wonderful way to see and experience the world.”
Q. So how did you start modeling?
A. “I followed my heart and want to model to Sydney when I was 18. I was lucky enough to get with a great agency there and it grew from there. I was then scouted by an agent from Paris and moved there to continue working and building my career, from there its been a wonderful whirlwind that has taken me around the world.”
Q. So what was Paris like and what modeling where you a part of there?
A. “I lived between Paris and London for about three years. It was a lot of fun. I got to travel throughout Europe with my work and to Africa. It was inspirational and eye opening to be in such new cultures. I worked with some great photographers like Ellen Von Unworth, and I got to be the face of Vichy cosmetics, see my face on billboards which still makes me blush and smile. That whole experience really consolidated my love of travel and my work.”
Q. So how did you end up living in the US?
A. “Well I’d been there shooting quite a bit and then I ended up moving to New York to work. Now I spend my time between LA and New York because I like the weather and feel of LA. The culture there reminds me more of Australia, which is my favourite place in the world and still home to me.”
Q. How long have you been in the USA?
A. “For about three years on and off now.”
Q. What was your big break as a model that really put you on the map?
A. “Well, in Europe I think it was the cosmetics campaign for Vichy and in the States mainly the fragrance campaign that started it. It’s a progressive build with many, many magazines and fashion shows and hard work… but work that I enjoy so much, so it’s a labour of love, hahaha.”
Q. What you currently doing in your career?
A. “Quiksilver just started a new women’s line that im representing, they are a great company and it’s a fantastic line of clothes for young women. And I just did LA fashion week and some work for AG jeans, Maxstudio, Gap and Old Navy. Also being in LA, I do quite a few commercials too. At the moment I’m in spots for Mitsubishi, Payless Shoes and Playstation. That’s so much fun! Being on screen and expanding my modeling into TV.
Q. What are your plans for the future?
A. “Well I enjoy modeling a lot I think I’ll be doing it for a while. I also want to write a book about my experiences and what helps keep me grounded…yoga and meditation mainly. I would love to give back to young girls and women. Share experiences and how much I value inner beauty and the unique beauty in each person. “
Q. What is your favorite thing about modeling?
A. “I think its all the places I’ve been! I’ve been all over the world and most places I went to first on a job. Some places that spring to mind are Athens, Santorini, Barcelona, St Tropez, Germany, Amsterdam, Stockholm, San Francisco. Also living In so many amazing places. London, Paris, New York, Los Angeles. I feel very lucky and humble to have these experiences in my life. It has also given me a perspective on what is important in my life, friendship, contentment, compassion and giving back to the world we are a part of.”