Samantha Harris

As told to Matthew Dillon

Written by Aida M. Toro

Model turned brand ambassador turned philanthropist, Samantha Harris already has an impressive resume. Discovered at the early age of 13 after entering the nationwide Girlfriend Model Search, Harris has forged an expansive career within the global fashion industry constantly pushing the ethos of fashion during her career. Having graced the cover of Vogue at just 19 years old, Harris remains a mainstay in publishing heavyweights and has walked for some of Australia’s greatest designers including Dion Lee, Ellery and Manning Cartell.

In addition to modelling, Harris has also held a strong presence in the world of philanthropy as a major ambassador for The Barnardo’s Foundation, The Make a Wish Foundation, World Vision Australia and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Harris also currently stands as the ambassador for Biologi skincare, Priceline and has partnered with Aveeno to support her interest in skincare.

Retreat Magazine had the pleasure of sitting down with Harris to talk about her career, how the pandemic has changed her and on becoming a role model.

Your modelling career launched after winning Girlfriend Magazine’s modelling competition. What was that experience like?

My fondest memory was when I arrived early with my mom and my little brother. I was the first girl there. Looking at all the girls that were there, I was thinking that I was never going to get in. Look at all these beautiful girls, I thought to myself. What makes me different? What makes me special? Looking back at that moment now, I’m so proud. That little girl was so shy and so nervous that I didn’t think I had a chance. I’m proud of how far I’ve come and what I’ve accomplished in life. Not just in modelling, but how much I’ve grown personally.

Having a Vogue cover at such a young age is a major moment. How does that cover itself stand the test of time in your mind and what does that mean for you today?

Nowadays, I can pinch myself! That was a big moment and any model’s dream. To shoot the cover of Vogue and to be the second Indigenous woman ever to be on Vogue Australia was amazing. I can tell my kids and my kids can tell their kids that.

What does being a role model mean to you?

It makes me very proud. When I was in my early 20s, people would say I was a role model, which was still fresh to my ear at that time. I was still very young and a lot of the girls that were looking up to me were similar. At Sydney Fashion Week, they had the first Indigenous runways ever. To see the young models on the runways and to have them look at me and say that I am the reason why they are modelling is amazing. I don’t think of myself as that kind of figure, but for young Aboriginal models to say that I’m the reason why they are modelling is very humbling to know that I provided them with that confidence.

How has the pandemic changed the way you view your life and what’s important to you?

Being locked down, you appreciate the smaller things in life. I live in Sydney, but all of my family lives in Tweed Heads, which is on the border of New South Wales and Queensland, so I haven’t seen my mum in quite a long time. My husband and I are going down for Christmas and I’m excited to see my mum and my brother. I also think that during the lockdown, you reset and kind of realize what is actually important. It isn’t all about the fancy and shiny things. It’s more about quality time with your family and your loved ones and things like that.

How have you adjusted personally to the pandemic and lockdowns in terms of mental and physical health alongside your husband?

We just did what we could such as taking the dog for a walk, training in the park or in the apartment and things like that. At times it was tough because no one loves being locked down—it sucks. But when the world started opening up again, we appreciated everything.

How do you find your balance in the world of social media?

When I started modelling, there was no Instagram or anything like that. Personally, I share what I want to share on social media, such as bits of my personal life and my family because they’re important to me. I’m not going to show everything, I’ll show little bits, but I think it’s more work-related. I’ve been in the fashion eye for a long time, which is why I show a variety of my shoots, highlights and things like that. I don’t take it too seriously because there are a lot of trolls out there. So many people have so many things to say, which is why I take it as a grain of salt. I just continue my life. Social media is not the be-all and end-all.

“To see the young models on the runways and to have them look at me and say that I am the reason why they are modelling is amazing.”

“From a woman’s perspective, I think just being proud within yourself and knowing who you are is the best kind of confidence—simply just being happy with who you are.”

Your ambassadorships with World Vision and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) are very important to you. Why did you choose to get involved with both of these organisations?

World Vision has amazing ambassadors worldwide and they do great things in Australia and overseas. What really stood out to me is that the organization goes to Indigenous remote communities. For instance, a couple of years ago, I went to The Kimberley with my mum into these remote communities and you could see firsthand what World Vision was doing. I’ve had a really good partnership with the elders and the ladies in the communities to ask questions such as what resources are needed to assist with continuing their way of life. World Vision is working hand in hand with the Indigenous elders and prominent figures within these communities so they can just live a normal life. I think one of these remote communities just got access to the internet to keep in touch with the rest of Australia.

WWF is a great charity and I love animals. With WWF, preserving the planet is also a major initiative. We have to preserve it for future generations and spread awareness of what’s going on such as about the animals in danger of extinction. If I can share the knowledge, I am more than happy to do so.

The conversations about representation and body image are relevant nowadays. What does body confidence mean to you?

I think body confidence is just being happy within yourself. I saw this thing on Facebook and Instagram that stated that if everyone ate the same, everyone would still look different. It’s important to be happy and comfortable with yourself. I’ve seen how the body changes from age 13 to late 20s. From a woman’s perspective, I think just being proud within yourself and knowing who you are is the best kind of confidence—simply just being happy with who you are.

What are your thoughts on the way the media describes women today?

Some media creates stories out of absolutely anything. For instance, I went shopping at Woolworths and my husband was carrying the bags home.

When I’m walking around, I make the worst facial expressions! And this became a story. I think that there are so many more important things going on in the world than where I’m shopping. Surely…that’s not making news. When you are more secure within yourself, you don’t care if these types of “stories” are published and give you great publicity because all I did was go to the grocery store. There are more important things happening in the world.

What are your goals for 2022?

Next year, I am hoping there won’t be any lockdowns. I’d love for us to travel freely and just live a normal life. I just want to be able to travel and work.

To keep up with Harris and her latest, follow her on Instagram over at @sam_harris.

Photography: Lauren Schulz / @laurenschulzvisuals

Stylist: Paul Versace / @styledbybloom_

Hair & Makeup: Thanh Vo / @thanhtheman

Special Thanks To @sydneyclassicboatcharters

Location: @cottagepointkiosk