Hundreds apply for Australia's first Indigenous model program

More than 200 applicants have applied to be a part of the Australian Indigenous Fashion Week model search hoping to follow in the footsteps of Indigenous model Samantha Harris.

(NITV)

With such a large number applying from right across the country, organisers found it a challenge to finally announce the final 18 applicants.

Event spokeswoman Krystal Perkins said the search would culminate at the end of Australian Indigenous Fashion Week on April 11.

“It will basically culminate in the fashion week,” she said.

“What we will see is an amazing talent from our models but also our 30 designers who are exhibiting for the first time."

The 18 models, six of whom are males, are excited at the opportunities ahead of them.

For Tyson Dean Jolly, the chance to get into the fashion industry was just the beginning.

“I want to ultimately be a designer and have my own fashion label,” he said.

“I see this as a good stepping stone to get there and I got asked to do it so yeah, why not?”