From Humble Beginnings to the Global Stage, Newcastle’s Trinity of Talent

A trio of remarkable women who have made a name for themselves in the world of modelling, each with their unique journeys and achievements, all have one thing in common. Gemma Sanderson, Tegan Martin and Michelle Lobb all grew up in the charming coastal city of Newcastle, Australia, Façon’s hometown.

From the sun-kissed beaches of Newy to international runways, these models have worked in the fashion industry all over the world. Delve into their shared experiences growing up in Newcastle, their extraordinary paths to success in the modelling industry, and their inspiring contributions to diverse careers beyond the catwalk.

Tegan

Growing up in the picturesque coastal city of Newcastle, Tegan Martin had a childhood that many can only dream of.

“I loved everything about my upbringing in Newcastle,” she says.

“I grew up spending so much time outdoors, from being out on my family’s boat in Lake Macquarie to exploring different beaches each weekend. I never quite knew how lucky I was until I moved to a busy city in my early twenties, and life became much more hectic.”

Tegan’s journey into the modelling industry wasn’t a conventional one. While working at a hair salon after school and on weekends, her colleagues encouraged her to enter competitions. One day, she decided to take a chance and signed up for a local modelling competition called Frock On. To her surprise, she won, marking the beginning of her modelling career.

“I starred in my very frst TV commercial, and I was ecstatic!” Tegan says.

Leaving her beloved Newcastle was a signifcant step for Tegan, but it was fuelled by a longing to explore the world and pursue her dreams.

“I always had a burning desire to get out of Newcastle and dream big,” she says.

“Moving to Paris at 19 on a modelling contract is still one of my greatest life lessons and highlights.”

Throughout her career, Tegan has had the opportunity to work with numerous prestigious brands and travel to various cities and countries. She’s been a part of a lingerie campaign in Paris, strutted the runway at New York Fashion Week, competed at Miss Universe in Miami, and had photoshoots in sunny locations like Perth and Fiji. Tegan has truly been blessed to travel the world while pursuing her passion.

But what is life like for Tegan Martin now?

“Every day in my life is different, and that’s exactly how I like it!” she says with enthusiasm.

Nowadays, Tegan wears many hats, often taking on roles such as producer, scriptwriter, location scout and presenter. She no longer merely shows up and follows directions but collaborates with brands on concepts from start to fnish.

While her Miss Universe background may suggest otherwise, Tegan is actually more of a tomboy and a sports enthusiast.

“I am quite co-ordinated with any type of ball sport and highly competitive, dare I say even quite rough on the netball or basketball court,” she says.

Moving to Paris at 19 on a modelling contract is still one of my greatest life lessons and highlights.

When asked about her experiences working with others, Tegan mentions Michelle, who once shot her on a photoshoot. As for her recent cover shoot, she had nothing but praise.

“I had the best day on set to shoot the cover!” she says.

“The team was so upbeat, and the vibes were high. It was a beautiful sunny day shooting on the ever-so-glorious Nobbys Beach.”

Despite her worldly adventures, Tegan holds a special place in her heart for her hometown, Newcastle.

“I love the slower-paced nature of life here,” she says.

“People are really focused on working to live, not living to work. It’s also where most of my closest friends and family are, so it will always feel like home.”

For aspiring models, Tegan offers valuable advice. She emphasises the importance of staying positive, developing thick skin, and being prepared for more rejections than acceptances in the industry.

“Remember, there is an element of luck involved that is out of your control,” she says.

“Lastly but most importantly, never rely on modelling to be your soul and forever income; always be building other skills in the background.”

Which are words Tegan lives by as she continues to chase new opportunities and make her mark on the world.

Gemma

For Gemma Sanderson, growing up in Newcastle was nothing short of idyllic.

“It was great, the lifestyle as a child and teenager is second to none – growing up by the beach, hanging outside with friends, living in a small but big, big but small city,” she says.

Gemma couldn’t have asked for a better place to call home. She also highlights the sense of community that Newcastle gave her compared to larger cities like Sydney.

Gemma’s journey into the world of modelling began as a teenager when a friend recognised her aspirations and helped Gemma to take her frst steps in the industry.

“My frst experience was when I was 15,” Gemma says.

“One of my best friends knew I wanted to be a model, and she loved photography, so she took some photos of me to enter the Dolly Magazine Model Competition.”

Being named a fnalist in the competition was a turning point in Gemma’s life. It solidifed her dream of becoming a model, even though the road ahead had no clear path or guidance at the time.

Leaving her beloved Newcastle for Sydney marked a signifcant step in Gemma’s modelling journey. While it was initially daunting, she maintained a connection with her hometown, returning every weekend for several years. It wasn’t until 2003 that Gemma started travelling overseas for

extended periods, living in different countries and embracing the freedom that came with it.

“Living overseas made me feel like I was anonymous and could be myself,” she says. “I felt like a different person, and I loved it.”

Gemma’s modelling career has taken her to numerous countries and cities across fve continents, including New York, London, Paris, Sydney, Singapore, Milan, Hamburg and South Africa.

Her list of career highlights is impressive, including working alongside supermodels like Helena Christiansen, Naomi Campbell, Yasmin Le Bon, Eva Herzigova, Cindy Crawford, Miranda Kerr and Cara Delevigne. She also had the privilege of working for Victoria Beckham and shooting a TV commercial with Cristiano Ronaldo. Her campaigns for brands like Clarks shoes, Tresemmé hair, Topshop, Havianas, and Baci Chocolate have graced billboards and magazines worldwide.

Despite her remarkable journey in the modelling industry, Gemma’s life has evolved. Today, she’s a mother to two beautiful girls and works in aviation. After returning to Australia, she found herself needing new challenges. Her experience in the industry had changed, and she sought intellectual fulflment. Her work in aviation safety complements her background and knowledge. Many might be surprised to learn that Gemma harbours a deep-seated fear of fying, despite her career in aviation safety. She acknowledges the irony and is actively working on overcoming her phobia.

Living overseas made me feel like I was anonymous and could be myself.I felt like a different person and I loved it.

Gemma’s connections in the modelling world also extend to fellow cover girls, Tegan and Michelle. While she had not met Tegan before the shoot, she and Michelle share a deep friendship. They crossed paths at the Boxing Day races and instantly connected. Their bond has endured through thick and thin, making their collaboration on the Façon cover shoot a special moment in their journey together.

Refecting on the cover shoot, Gemma describes it as a great experience, with Tegan and Michelle being natural, open, friendly and supportive throughout the day. It was a seamless collaboration that captured the essence of their personalities and their connection to their hometown, Newcastle.

For Gemma, the charm of Newcastle lies in its beaches and cafes, and the opportunity to spend time with family. She also celebrates the city’s growing creative scene: “Having a creative outlet like Façon is amazing, being able to support local and emerging talent and businesses makes me feel so lucky to have been a part of this “family” over the past seven years,” she says.

To aspiring models, Gemma offers a simple yet powerful piece of advice on chasing their dreams: “Don’t give up at the frst no. You just need one person to believe in you for you to get somewhere.”

Gemma’s journey from Newcastle to the global modelling stage serves as a testament to this, and she continues to pursue her dreams, no matter where they lead her.

Michelle

Michelle Lobb had a unusual upbringing that set the stage for her remarkable journey into the world of modelling. Her parents owned a local pub and she lived there, surrounded by what felt like a large extended family. From a young age, Michelle was no stranger to hard work, balancing her modelling career with roles in the hotel’s kitchen, cleaning, and the bar.

Michelle’s journey into the modelling industry was guided by her loving and supportive parents. Both of them had dabbled in modelling during their younger years, and seeing their images inspired Michelle to follow in their footsteps.

“I had my mother and father with me every step of the way,” she says.

Her parents played a crucial role in helping her enter a modelling competition in Taree, where she took her frst steps into the industry.

At the age of 13, Michelle’s initial venture into the world of commercial modelling didn’t go as planned. She soon realised that she didn’t ft the mould of a commercial model. After facing rejection, a chance encounter with a woman named Kim, who turned out to be an agent, changed the course of her career.

Michelle joined Kim’s agency, and her modelling career skyrocketed. She landed her frst shoot for Harper’s Bazaar just a week later, marking the beginning of a journey that would take her far and wide.

Throughout her career, Michelle travelled extensively, working in various cities across Australia and abroad, particularly in Germany. She took part in campaigns that saw her images adorn billboards, trains, aeroplanes and buses worldwide. Her career highlights include walking the runways of fashion weeks, gracing the pages of Harper’s Bazaar, and working with prestigious brands like Schwarzkopf.

Michelle’s journey also took her into the world of television, where she appeared in TV ads and participated in a search for a supermodel on a TV show. However, as life unfolded, Michelle’s career evolved, leading her to work in mental health and disability, which she balances with her passion for photography and model scouting.

She discovers potential models on social media or the streets, providing them with guidance and insights gleaned from her own journey in the modelling world. Her typical days are diverse, ranging from work and photoshoots to spending quality time with her partner and their beloved dogs, Louie and Yuki.

One aspect of Michelle that many may not know is her personal experience with a disability, that being dyslexia. School was challenging, and taking time off for modelling didn’t make it any easier. Nevertheless, she encourages aspiring models to prioritise their education, emphasising the importance of having a back-up plan.

Michelle’s connections with fellow cover girls Gemma and Tegan has a unique backstory. She met Gemma in the bathroom at the Boxing Day races, the encounter sparking a friendship that later led to them becoming roommates when Gemma won Australia’s Next Top Model. As for Tegan, Michelle knew her parents and their paths have crossed over the years.

Working together on the cover shoot for Façon Magazine, Michelle, Gemma and Tegan shared a positive and supportive atmosphere. The camaraderie between these “supermodels” is evident in the images in these pages.

Michelle’s affection for her hometown, Newcastle, is rooted in the people, the stunning beaches, and witnessing the city’s transformation into a thriving metropolis.

To aspiring models, Michelle offers valuable advice: fact-check everything, involve your parents in the process, be resilient in the face of rejection, and prioritise your education as a safety net for your future. She emphasises that aspiring models should never pay an agency to represent them, as reputable agencies do not require upfront fees.

Michelle Lobb’s journey from Newcastle’s beaches to a successful modelling career and her continued contributions to the industry as a model scout and photographer put her on the map as one of Newy’s bright stars.

Words by JACK BAILEY