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 returns to her hometown of Perth, she is enveloped by a wave of nostalgia, savoring Western Australia’s renowned fresh air and its long, hot summer days. The Sydney-born but Perth-raised model has once again returned to her roots to headline a spring-summer fashion soirée at Claremont Quarter this Thursday.
The cocktail party-style event will showcase the latest seasonal looks, with Gomes engaging with guests about her fashion style, beauty tips, and her enduring love for Perth. Now 39, Gomes resides in Byron Bay but often finds herself drawn back to Perth, especially during the summer holidays, to reconnect with her family who still calls the city home.
“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 expressed. “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 Roots to International Fame
The internationally recognized model, who has graced the pages of Sports Illustrated eight times, has been modeling since she was 10 years old. She credits her upbringing in Perth with helping to shape her decades-long career, one that she never imagined would take her around the globe.
Gomes moved to Greenmount Hill at the tender age of three and soon discovered a 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 said.
“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.”
The Allure of Perth and the Fashion Industry
Gomes’s career trajectory is a testament to her love for creativity and the freedom it offers. “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 shared.
Her return to Perth for the Claremont Quarter event not only highlights her connection to the city but also underscores the significance of the local fashion scene. “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. Obviously, I just feel really excited to be back and fronting a big shopping precinct like that.”
A Nostalgic Homecoming
Gomes’s reflections on Perth are filled with warmth and fond memories. “And I love Cottesloe, hanging out with my friends, and I think that’s kind of what I miss most, is summers here,” she said, emphasizing her deep connection to the city’s beaches and the lifestyle they offer.
As she prepares to take center stage at Claremont Quarter, Gomes’s homecoming is not just a return to her roots but a celebration of her journey from a local talent to an international icon. Her story is a reminder of the potential that lies within local communities and the global opportunities that can arise from nurturing such talent.
The event at Claremont Quarter is expected to draw fashion enthusiasts and fans alike, eager to catch a glimpse of Gomes and the latest fashion trends. As she steps into the spotlight, Gomes’s presence is a testament to her enduring connection to Perth and her role as an ambassador for the city’s vibrant fashion scene.
