A group of young Sudanese women are emerging as both models and role-models - excelling on catwalks and providing direction for their people.
The trio are taking the spotlight after a recent spate of violence attributed to Melbourne's Sudanese refugees forced some to criticise the African community for a void of leadership.
Flora Blaic and Nikki Thot are following the footsteps of trailblazer Ajak Deng, who's now a top international model based in New York.
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All three began with a Melbourne modelling agency, and have a strong bond with their adopted country.
"Actually coming to Australia gave me the chance to study what I want and to actually help others to get the chance that I didn't have," Ms Blaic told SBS.
Ms Blaic fled violence in Sudan aged 13, and is now studying international development. She has been granted a United Nations scholarship, and will return to visit her village later this year.
Recruitment agent Steve Bucknall says the women are perfectly-suited to the catwalk.
"They've got long limbs long legs long arms beautiful skin. They're a palate for colour," he says.
However, more than their natural beauty, is the hope their success gives others who have fled Sudan's long and bloody conflict.
"Me and the other girls see ourselves as role models for the younger Sudanese girls - just seeing us and seeing that we're actually going places with our modelling can give them hope," Ms Thot says.
