Still in fashion: Victoria’s Models marks three decades in Canberra
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It’s 1995, and Clueless is a cultural phenomenon, everyone is dancing the Macarena, and the Big Six supermodels are dominating both haute couture and commercial modelling.
But while many fashion fans in Canberra sat starry-eyed, flicking through magazines and watching George Michael’s Freedom! ’90 on repeat, Victoria Schnabl decided to do something different – she started her own modelling agency.
And now as Victoria’s Models celebrates 30 years as Canberra’s longest established modelling agency, she says she wouldn’t change a thing.
Building a supportive community and coordinating hundreds of local models, actors, extras, and voice over talent for a plethora of events, TV and print advertisements over the years, Victoria’s Models began during a time in fashion history when models became the new celebrities in the cultural zeitgeist.
It was seeing this entirely novel approach to modelling – one associated with fame, fortune, and glamour – sweep the world that made Victoria decide to follow her dream to start an agency of her own.
“I’ve been working in the modelling industry since 1991. First, briefly as a model, but I really wanted to work behind the scenes,” she explains.
“I started at a local modelling agency as soon as I finished school. I worked in their office full-time for nearly three years, and about eight months after leaving and with the encouragement of many models, I started my own agency.”
Launching Victoria’s Models to represent models of all shapes, sizes, ages and cultural backgrounds for fashion parades, television commercials, photographic work, promotions and event hosting, the agency has become known as the ‘go-to’ for locals looking to train in the modelling industry.
From starting with a little black book of model contacts, one computer and no internet to building an extensive online portfolio where clients can view the models’ profiles without a need for in-person castings and auditions, Victoria says the modelling and acting industry in Canberra has changed significantly in the last three decades.
“The work itself has evolved; for a long time, a large part of my business was coordinating fashion parades in shopping centres. We would do Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter launches and smaller-scale parades and events throughout the year. These were heaps of fun!” she says.
“There were also TV commercials and photoshoots for a variety of clients. In recent years, fashion parades have been less popular, and advertising campaigns and events are our main work. This has expanded into lots of online videos and photoshoots.”
Operating through the golden era of modelling and into an era where fashion media struggles to establish new generations of top models due to an almost oversaturated market thanks to social media, the longevity of Victoria’s Models is nothing short of amazing.
Noting that one of the biggest ‘pinch me’ moments of running the business was when she provided 10 models to dance on stage with singer Bryan Adams in 1996, Victoria says that the best memories she has are the connections made with her models and the community she’s grown.
“We have many models who have been involved with the agency for 15 to 30 years and they’ve made lifelong friends. Models have described it as a family,” she says.
“We have worked on some amazing campaigns and events over the years, and I’m very proud of that and grateful to our clients for the opportunities. One of my favourites was the award-winning ‘Guardians of Style’ campaign we coordinated for the Canberra Centre in 2014.”
“Having great relationships with our clients and building community with our models and actors has been the most rewarding part of the agency.”
Now it’s 2025, and K-Pop Demon Hunters is Netflix’s most streamed movie ever, a new TikTok dance is trending every day, and the Big Six supermodels are no more (although they are still influential).
Through it all, Victoria’s Models has been there. And it’s not going anywhere.
“I had always wanted to run my own business and I’m very fortunate it has been in this industry,” says Victoria.
“I love the industry, I love business and I enjoy meeting new people. Every day is interesting and brings new challenges.”
Images supplied.
