Jasmine Mexted is modelling at Red11. Photo \/ Neil Gussey <\/p>\n
Although her mother has modelled, owned a modelling agency and, after a long career in fashion, returned to modelling at age 60 last year, Mexted initially chose dance as her career. <\/p>\n
\u201cBoth of my parents are driven, creative, loving and supportive, and have always allowed me to be myself,\u201d Mexted tells Society Insider. <\/p>\n
Mexted and Downes walked in Fashion Week\u2019s opening show, The Art of Style<\/a> on Monday night. Last night, the pair modelled for Karen Walker, and tomorrow they will both walk in Fashion for a Cure. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s so special to model with Mum; we have such a close relationship, and this is an awesome new experience that we get to share. <\/p>\n \u201cShe has a wealth of knowledge and gives me tips, sure, but she also allows me to learn and grow on my own.\u201d <\/p>\n After 12 years living in Melbourne, where she studied and became a professional dancer, followed by two years in the UK and Europe, Mexted moved home in June after spending two months travelling through Southeast Asia. <\/p>\n Mexted did her first modelling job, an advertorial for Karen Walker<\/a>, last November, while home on a short trip. <\/p>\n \u201cWhen I arrived home in June, I was eager to keep going with modelling; it felt like the right time to pursue it. <\/p>\n \u201cI really enjoy it; I keep saying, when I model, I get the same feeling I did when I danced on stage. It\u2019s a rush, and I like using my body and connecting to it.\u201d <\/p>\n Mexted is living with Downes in Devonport and says one of her first ports of call was top agency Red11, who also represents Downes.<\/p>\n She had an interview with Red11 founder Mandy Jacobsen, and says the fit felt right. <\/p>\n \u201cI had a test shoot with [legendary photographer] Monty Adams to get some pictures for my portfolio, and the following week was NZ Fashion Week casting.\u201d <\/p>\n Mexted walked for Fashion Week\u2019s Khadi Beyond Borders show on Tuesday; yesterday, The Studio; today she will walk for K\u0101hui Collective, and this weekend, she will walk in both Viva Greatest Hits shows<\/a>. <\/p>\n Jacobsen says Mexted has an incredible presence and a great energy about her. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s no surprise that Fashion Week has been quick to get Jasmine on the runway,\u201d says Jacobsen. <\/p>\n \u201cWith her experience, attitude, and versatility, we see huge potential for Jasmine and are thrilled to have her as part of the Red11 family… we see great opportunities to support Jasmine in multiple areas of the industry.\u201d<\/p>\n Mexted says physically she is a mix of both her mum and her Wellington-based dad. <\/p>\n \u201cI have Dad\u2019s height and legs and the Mexted eyes, but I have the same smile as Mum and definitely her nose. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s funny, depending on the haircut, I can look more like one than the other.\u201d <\/p>\n Mexted says she always had long hair – until the morning of her 22nd birthday, when she chopped it off to her shoulders. <\/p>\n \u201cAfter that I\u2019ve slowly been going shorter and shorter until I buzzed it all off last year. <\/p>\n \u201cI always wanted to do it. It was summer, I was in Europe, and it was very hot, so it seemed like the perfect time.\u201d <\/p>\n She says she bleached \u201cthe buzz blonde\u201d, which was fun for a while. <\/p>\n \u201cNow I\u2019ve let it grow out a bit and plan on keeping it where it is for the foreseeable\u2026 although who knows. I love changing up my hairstyle; I find it freeing and fun.\u201d <\/p>\n Mexted and Downes fulfilled a lifelong dream last year, when they holidayed together in Paris. These days, the pair are enjoying living together in Devonport. <\/p>\n She says she has already found her Auckland rhythm and loves Devonport and Parnell, and catching the ferry. <\/p>\n Mexted is also DJing around the traps in Auckland and working part-time at Tango Vintage in Parnell. <\/p>\n \u201cI am still adjusting to my new life here, so I\u2019m grateful to be spending my time creatively, and catching up with family.\u201d <\/p>\n In the UK, Mexted started online vintage fashion shop @moda.andme and intends to launch it here soon. <\/p>\n \u201cWhen I was in Europe, I made some wonderful contacts and sourced a whole heap of stock, which I\u2019m excited to share when the time comes,\u201d says Mexted. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m passionate about vintage clothing \u2013 the fabric, the way garments were designed and manufactured.\u201d <\/p>\n Maddy Barnett on dancing for Rihanna, dining with popstars, and love and life in LA <\/p>\n Los Angeles-based Kiwi dancing star Maddy (Maddison) Barnett, the daughter of league legend Richie Barnett<\/a>, has danced for the biggest pop stars in the world. Now, she\u2019s turning to choreography, after a soon-to-be-announced \u201ctour of her career\u201d that she says will fill up the rest of her year. <\/p>\n Maddy, 25, has lived in Los Angeles for four years, and lives in NoHo (North Hollywood) with her boyfriend of six years, Michigan-raised dancer Dayne Sempert. The pair met when they were 19, in Taiwan, working on singer Jolin Tsai\u2019s Ugly Beauty tour. <\/p>\n Throughout her career, Maddy has worked with a raft of international pop stars, including Justin Bieber, Rihanna and Tinashe; Latin stars Jennifer Lopez, J Balvin, Karol G and Bad Bunny; and country star Lainey Wilson, as well as girl group XG. <\/p>\n \u201cWith Dayne\u2019s classical training mixed with his hip-hop skills, he is definitely my favourite dancer I have ever witnessed,\u201d Maddy tells Society Insider. \u201cHe is such a huge part of my career and success.\u201d <\/p>\n She says it was love at first sight for the pair in Taiwan. The following year, they reunited on tour, and Maddy followed it up with a three-month stint in LA with Sempert. <\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t get to see him for eight months after that trip, until I was officially and legally allowed to move to America.\u201d <\/p>\n Since moving to NoHo, the pair have enjoyed working together, touring North America with K-pop sensation BlackPink, and later, performing on their global tour last year. <\/p>\nJasmine Mexted and Lorraine Downes posed for a selfie at NZ Fashion Week on Monday night. Photo \/ Instagram @jasmine_mexted<\/p>\n
Jasmine Mexted\u2019s first modelling job was for Karen Walker last November. Photo \/ Mikhail Gherman <\/p>\n
Jasmine Mexted dancing professionally on a cruise ship. <\/p>\n
Jasmine Mexted has turned to modelling after a career in dance. Photo \/ Monty Adams
Jasmine Mexted was recently signed with Red11. Photo \/ Monty Adams <\/p>\n
Jasmine Mexted is modelling at Red11. Photo \/ Neil Gussey <\/p>\n
Former All Black Murray Mexted, pictured in 2006. Photo \/ Mark Mitchell
Lorraine Downes and Murray Mexted on their wedding day in 1986.<\/p>\n
Jasmine Mexted, before she chopped her hair, with her mum Lorraine Downes. Photo \/ @jasmine_mexted<\/p>\n
The Barnett family, from left Jay, Carrie, Maddy and Richie.<\/p>\n
Maddy Barnett and boyfriend Dayne Sempert met in Taiwan when they were 19. <\/p>\n
Maddy Barnett,(left) with pop super star Jenifer Lopez, (centre).
Maddy Barnett dancing beside country singer Lainey Wilson. Photo \/ @maddie_barnett<\/p>\n
Maddy Barnett and Dayne Sempert enjoy dinners out together in North Hollywood. <\/p>\n