Jessica Gomes feels lucky not to have experienced workplace sexual harassment but the Australian supermodel says the industry needs to change after sexual misconduct allegations were levelled at two high-powered fashion photographers.
Both Mario Testino and Bruce Weber have been suspended from working with fashion magazines, including Vogue, after models and assistants accused them of coercive sexual behaviour earlier this month.
Gomes, who has worked with Testino, said she was lucky she had never been made to feel uncomfortable during photo shoots.
"I've been very lucky ... I've always had a strong sense of myself and what I will tolerate and what not to tolerate," she told AAP at David Jones' Melbourne model casting on Tuesday.
"But as a young model I think it is really important to understand what's going on, and sometimes you can work with people that maybe it (behaviour during shoots) isn't consensual.
"I think its really amazing that women are taking a stand and people in the fashion industry are taking a stand because I do think it needs to change."
Gomes was among a panel of four fashion experts tasked with choosing models for the David Jones Autumn Winter 2018 fashion show, with more than 150 people vying for a spot.
Among the first-timers was Amelia Paterson, 17, who was scouted on social media platform Instagram at just 15.
"I'm very nervous, I feel like you can get used to something like this but I'm not at that stage just yet," she said.
It was also 16-year-old Alan Fogel's first casting after a chance encounter at an embassy.
"I was at the American consulate on St Kilda Road and a photographer just spotted me and that was it," he said.
"I've barely done anything, this is pretty much my first casting."
Womenswear buying manager Teneille Oakley said she was looking for clean, sophisticated looks and individual, striking faces.
"Just be confident and own it," she said.
The David Jones Autumn Winter 2018 show will be held on February 7 in Sydney.
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