Aussie model and former Perth girl Jessica Gomes is pictured at Crown Towers today ahead of a fashion event at Claremont Quarter.
Every time Jessica Gomes steps foot in Perth, she is enveloped by a sense of nostalgia, savoring Western Australia’s renowned “fresh air and long, hot summer days.” The Sydney-born but Perth-raised model has returned to her roots to headline a spring-summer fashion soirée at Claremont Quarter on Thursday.
The cocktail party-style event will feature the latest seasonal looks, with Gomes engaging guests in discussions about her fashion sense, beauty tips, and her enduring affection for Perth. The 39-year-old, who currently resides in Byron Bay, expressed her delight at coming home, often spending summer holidays reconnecting with her family who still live in the area.
“I just love the clear blue skies here, and the open air. And it just feels like home, this is where I grew up. So it’s very nostalgic,” Gomes said. “I do miss the beaches. We have really beautiful beaches, and they’re very quiet and they feel very kind of isolated. And that’s what I love. I love that it’s so clean and fresh here, and I miss those really long, hot summer days, like 40 degrees, and then the wind sets in.”
From Local Beginnings to Global Fame
Jessica Gomes is no stranger to international acclaim, having graced the pages of Sports Illustrated eight times. Her modeling journey began at the tender age of 10, with Perth playing a pivotal role in shaping her career that she never imagined would span the globe.
Gomes moved to Greenmount Hill at the age of three and quickly found her passion for the creative industry through local fashion shows and TV commercials. “There was a fashion community that I was a part of throughout school, so I already felt like I was in the industry for a while, until I went overseas, and got signed to an international agency, and I went to Asia and New York,” she explained.
“So it’s kind of interesting. I feel like I am like a child model, you know, now, like a child actor, like I started really young, I kind of was already building my skill set, so it feels like I’ve just been in this industry my whole life,” she added.
The Allure of Creativity and Travel
Gomes’s career is marked by a love for creativity and the freedom it affords. “I love the creativity. I love the freedom. I love that I’ve been able to travel the world. I love the different people that I’ve been able to meet. I love that you never know where it’s going to take you, as much as that’s also scary,” she said.
Her journey from Perth to the global stage is a testament to the opportunities within the fashion industry, as well as the personal growth it can foster. “But I think it’s been a good ride for me, and I feel like it’s such a blessing, and it’s so amazing to come back and to be working for Claremont Quarter, and such an iconic kind of staple in Perth,” Gomes remarked.
Returning to Her Roots
The Claremont Quarter event marks a significant homecoming for Gomes, underscoring her connection to Perth and its vibrant fashion scene. “Obviously, I just feel really excited to be back and fronting a big shopping precinct like that,” she concluded.
This development highlights the ongoing appeal of Perth as a nurturing ground for talent and creativity, with Gomes’s return serving as an inspiration to aspiring models and creatives in the region. As she continues to navigate her career, her ties to Perth remain a constant source of inspiration and pride.
