article_snippet.sent: Indigenous Australian models have yet to make a significant impact on the runway but an exclusively Aboriginal modelling agency is in the swing of changing that cultural fashion landscape.
article_snippet.sent: The first name that comes to mind when thinking of Aboriginal models for even the most die-hard of fashionistas is Samantha Harris who was one of the most prominent faces during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia in Sydney this week.
article_snippet.sent: The only other indigenous face to join the 24-year-old stunner at the biggest week on the country's fashion calendar over the past two years is Lauren Feenstra.
article_snippet.sent: On the rise: Adina-lee Vincent is one of the many emerging models signed with Aboriginal Model Management Australia .
article_snippet.sent: Gaining ground: an exclusively Aboriginal modelling agency started off with just five models and now has 40 including Noreen Carr (pictured)
article_snippet.sent: However, next year's annual global event will mark a significant shift if Aboriginal Model Management Australia founder Kira-Lea Dargin gets Aboriginal Model Management Australia founder Kira-Lea Dargin way. '
article_snippet.sent: What started out as helping out a few modelling mates break into the industry two and half years ago quickly turned into a niche market that Aboriginal models have long been crying out for by the start of last year for the Russian-Aboriginal.
article_snippet.sent: Agency founder Kira-Lea Dargin believes that the reason for casting agents hesitance to hire Aboriginal models was because the concern is the fashion platform could be used for political purposes. '
article_snippet.sent: I think anytime you get involved with anything indigenous there is always that political aspect of what's happening in the community and what's happening across the nation and people assume that will come with it,' Agency founder Kira-Lea Dargin said. '
article_snippet.sent: Dargin believes that high-end brands are hesitant to sign Aboriginal models because the concern is the fashion platform could be used for political purposes (pictured Zoe Byrne)
article_snippet.sent: Dargin says with Harris being the most famous Aboriginal face on the catwalk - Harris would like to see Harris act as a voice for young aspiring indigenous models. '
article_snippet.sent: shell a little bit more and be a spokesperson and promote Aboriginality for models in particular and just build a little bit more brand awareness,' Harris said. '
highlights_snippet.sent: Aboriginal Model Management Australia has 40 female clients so far .
  