The welcome return of Gemma Ward

Steven Meisel for Vogue Italy, June 2006

I love Aussie model Gemma Ward. She was the most ethereal, stunning looking model in the new wave of waifs that stormed the scene in the noughties after being discovered in 2002. In 2004, British Vogue listed Gemma as one of 11 models who were "young and right now - the cream of the modeling crop" alongside Lily Cole.
The 1.77m model has the most amazing features, a cross between a porcelain doll, Cate Blanchett's eflin princess Galadriel and Bridgette Bardot. Paul Cavaco from Allure magazine describes her as "ethereal, not earthy", and photographer Michael Thompson says "She's an exotic blonde, the rarest of creatures." At the height of her heady career, she graced the cover of Time Magazine's Style and Design issue in 2007.
I recently saw her in the film The Black Balloon and was very impressed. Not only is she stunning, was utterly charming in the film, all lanky legs and other-worldly beauty, juxtaposed with a disarmingly Aussie twang!

Gemma all but vanished in 2008 with her sudden 'retirement' from the modeling world - made all the more tragic when it surfaced that she had apparently been dating fellow Western Australian Heath Ledger when he died suddenly. Then came nasty reports of weight gain and a meltdown, no wonder the poor girl withdrew from the scene and needed a break!

ID Magazine, February 2008

V Magazine, June 2006

Patrick Demarchelier for Vogue Australia, October 2007

Craig McDean for US ELLE, April 2007

ID Magazine, February 2008

Australian Vogue, October 2007

Patrick Demarchelier for Vogue India, October 2007

Vogue Espana, 2007

Daria Werbowy, Natalia Vodianova, Gisele Bundchen, Isabeli Fontana, Karolina Kurkova, Liya Kebede, Hana Soukupova, Gemma Ward and Karen Elson, American Vogue May 2004

Now comes word that Gemma is returning to the big screen as - what could be more perfect - a MERMAID in the new Pirates of the Caribbean. At still only 23, with any luck we may see her back on the catwalk soon. "I have not 'quit modeling' and my fans back home can expect to see me back at work modeling and acting in the new year," she said in an email to The West Australian. Her latest Tweet says "Sorry guys, I've not disappeared, I've just been a busy little bee". We look forward to seeing you back!