Born in
1991, Stephanie Bambi Northwood-Blythe began modelling locally in Australia at
the age of 18.
Signing with
Elite in 2010, and adopting her middle name, Bambi scored her first
international editorial with RUSSH that April. Photographed by Beau Grealy,
‘Stoned’ was a series of neutral-toned portraits. Styled with distressed edging and rough
textures, Bambi gave an astonishingly accomplished performance, adding a layer
of sophistication entirely in keeping with the tone of the shoot.
Landing the
cover of Australian Harper’s Bazaar in June, Bambi took to the runway in
September. Walking for Chanel, Balenciaga, Rag & Bone, Topshop Unique and
Kenzo, Bambi defied the legend that shorter models can’t do runway.
Following a
ready-to-wear debut with a pre-Fall show for Chanel in December, this was a
very interesting booking. Bambi’s look could easily be classified as very
‘Chanel’ – her strongly defined eyebrows make her memorable, much like Alice
Dellal and Vanessa Paradis, two of
Lagerfeld’s most recent campaign girls. Chanel, despite its image beyond the
fashion world, is not merely a wardrobe go-to for Park Avenue princesses. Every Chanel girl has had an
edge, an intelligence that communicates a brand more intrigued by character
than beauty alone. Bambi’s inclusion in the show, at such an early point in her
career, was more than Lagerfeld latching onto the face of the moment; Bambi was
being touted as a star of the future.
In January
2011, Bambi landed in a ‘new faces’ spread for V magazine. All hand-picked by model,
stylist and photographer Natalie Joos, Bambi is joined in the editorial by
now-familiar names such as Arizona Muse, Ashley Smith, Carola Remer, Caroline
Brasch Nielsen, Julia Saner and Daphne Groeneveld. Joos scored highly with her
predictions: all these models are not only working regularly but impressing at
the very highest levels of the fashion industry.
Featuring in
the February issue of RUSSH, Bambi worked with photographer Benny Horne in an
editorial called ‘Babes’. Also including Lisanne di Jong, Hannah Holman and
Meag West, the group shots are a lovely example of working together for the
greater good. Every model here has star potential, but they put star-billing
aside to create group shots that are harmonious and beautiful.
February
also saw Bambi head back to the runway, this time walking in A/W shows for
Chanel, Jill Stuart, Giles and Topshop Unique. Her ability to command attention
paid off in early 2011 when she became one of the faces representing the ck one
fragrance by Calvin Klein. Photographed by Steven Meisel, the mega campaign
featured Lara Stone, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Alice Dellal plus newer names including
Samantha Gradoville, fresh from her runway triumph at Prada.
Proving her
versatility, Bambi then booked her first editorial with W. ‘The Change Agent’,
photographed by Steven Meisel, sees Bambi work punk chic with Eliza Cummings
and Saskia de Brauw. Between the gentle sensuality of ‘Babes’ and the
fierceness of ‘The Change Agent’, Bambi proved herself a perfect fit for every
concept.
Stepping it
up a gear, Bambi joined a slew of rising stars for the April cover of Japanese
Vogue. Bambi is joined here by Britt Maren, Fei Fei Sun and Milou van Groesen.
The cover, called ‘Next Wave’ is pretty accurate, its selection including Milou
who would, within a year, become the face of Giorgio Armani.
The model
was on home turf again in June, with a cover try for Australian Harper’s
Bazaar. In ‘Bambi Turns up the Heat’, the model is featured topless – her
modesty preserved by male model Jack Vanderhart’s arm placed across her torso.
Bambi’s ability to do the sultrier shoots was also beautifully realised in the
August issue of Australian GQ. Modelling with Tyson Ballou, Bambi models retro
1950’s glamour in ‘Before Night Falls’.
After a
highly successful year, Bambi finished 2011 by appearing on the cover of V,
photographed by Terry Richardson. ‘Let’s Go Cruising’ features Bambi and
Lindsey Wixson playfully posing in Louis Vuitton.
Heading back
to V in March 2012, Bambi channelled the darker side of sexuality in ‘Playing
the Field’. An edgy shoot that sees Bambi play the scheming WAG-in-training, it
is clear to see that her wealth of editorial experience has made her a highly
valuable player.
Bambi’s
latest booking has been to appear in the resort lookbook for Marc by Marc
Jacobs. Working looks designed for launch in Spring 2013, Bambi models
alongside new model Ondria Hardin. The collection, reputedly inspired by
Portland, refers back to ‘old classics’: nautical stripes, muted blues, polka
dots and florals – all are thrown into the mix and given the Marc Jacobs
treatment. Even the famous mouse-ear flats get a makeover, returning next year
as clogs.
Still barely
two years into her career, Bambi has excelled at finding a diverse range of
work. Rather than finding a comfort zone, and playing that to perfection, Bambi
has actively sought different experiences; her CV charts the progress of a
model determined to do it all.
Her bold
approach to assignments has seen her star rise quickly and steadily: in the
space of a few months, Bambi booked a Chanel show, a campaign for Calvin Klein
and the cover of Japanese Vogue. Individually, these credits are impressive.
Together, they form a picture of someone who is absolutely fearless in taking
on those high-pressure jobs. It’s a good quality to have as a model –
especially if you want to go further.
Bambi’s
ascent can also be plotted against a larger success for Australia. Along with
fellow Australians Krystal Glynn and Julia Nobis (not to mention newcomers
Ollie Henderson and Emily Wake), Bambi forms part of a collective that channel
and champion directional fashion. Australia’s role in high-fashion has gathered
pace since the discovery of Abbey Lee Kershaw and Catherine McNeill,
challenging the idea that Australia only has one type of beauty to offer. The
long-limbed, athletic type has been superseded by a variety of fashion-friendly
looks, dating from Abbey’s star-making turn for Gucci right up to Julia Nobis’
supporting role in the Louis Vuitton campaign for Autumn 2012.
At 5’7”,
Bambi is considerably shorter than most of her peers. But her blossoming
editorial and campaign career is a reminder that the modelling world can be
flexible – as long as you have something extra to give. Bambi’s extraordinary
face, capable of going from punk to pastels, is that something extra. It works
for editorial and it works for campaigns – when your photographic presence is
as strong as hers, being on the short side can easily be forgiven.
Bambi is a
brilliant example of turning potential negatives into something supremely
positive. Her face, with those Hilary Rhoda-style eyebrows, could at best draw
comparisons, but Bambi has been smart in her choices, slowly building a body of
work that’s very different to Hilary’s clutch of campaign regulars. Beating
your own path in modelling is essential: as much as fashion likes to
categorise, it likes individuals better. It explains why quirky faces often triumph
over more conventionally attractive ones. Knowing your strengths, your
weaknesses and crucially what you have to offer, is half the battle in becoming
a model. Bambi proves that the true mark of success is not in the pursuit of
perfection but in acknowledging one’s flaws. She is a better model for it, and
will go on to ever greater heights. In fashion, what really counts is not fitting
in – it’s standing out.
HELEN TOPE
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