Four figures emerge from the landscape, as if the only people on Earth. This is a vision of a beautiful future led by the superhuman Gemma Ward and her family tribe in pristine Byron Bay, with nature left to run wild as company.
Four figures emerge from the landscape, as if the only people on Earth. This is a vision of a beautiful future led by the superhuman Gemma Ward and her family tribe in pristine Byron Bay, with nature left to run wild as company. Styled by Kate Darvill. Photographed by Charles Dennington.
IN THE TOWERING SUBTROPICAL RAINFOREST OF NIGHTCAP NATIONAL PARK, IN AN HISTORIC VERDANT POCKET OF NORTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES, GEMMA WARD IS FLANKED BY HER SON JET, PARTNER DAVID LETTS, WITH DAUGHTER NAIA AND THE YAWNING ARCS OF AN ANCIENT TREE’S ROOTS.
Gemma Ward wears a Jil Sander dress, $3,160. Cartier bracelet, $9,600, leather bracelet, $3,570, watch, $8,100, and ring, $4,850. Albus Lumen x Helen Kaminski bag, $620. Stuart Weitzman boots, $1,100. From left: Naia wears a Children of the Tribe dress, $65. Earth & Soul necklaces, $45 and $30, and bracelets, $35 each. Jacinta James bag, $250. Salt Water sandals, $85, from Little Treads, worn throughout. David Letts wears a Song for the Mute jacket, $1,695, and shorts, $795. Bassike shirt, $360. Falke socks, $25. Pierre Hardy boots, $1,070. Jet wears Pip and Lenny overalls, $60. Feather Drum T-shirt, $60. Salt Water sandals, $85, from Little Treads, worn throughout. All prices approximate; details at Vogue.com.au/WTB.
It is not hyperbole to say Gemma Ward is a once-in-a-lifetime beauty. In the early aughts, her ascent was swift and her preternatural looks lent her editorials and runway appearances the world over a quality that lingered. Now that the era of the lofty, untouchable model with out-ofreach cool reserve has passed, Ward has re-entered the fashion consciousness with an even-keeled poise. A new generation has the chance to hear her voice, one that is gently powerful and has been bravely raised up to speak about the pressures of the industry. She is a beauty in the place she has returned to and calls home – the otherworldly lush surrounds of Byron Bay, nestled in the unmatched beauty of northern New South Wales. Solitary waterfalls, lush rainforest and the ancient Ti Tree Lake that is a sacred Aboriginal site all meet the sea. With her family she rises again, and in an imagined world seeks sanctuary and solitude as she guards the environment: re-earthing, reconnecting and recalibrating.
Gemma wears a Christopher Esber dress, $990. Cartier ring, $4,850. Dion Lee bag, $690. From left: Naia wears a Millk top, $70, and shorts, $50. Jet wears a Hope & May top, $40. Goldie + Ace bloomers, $30. David wears a Song for the Mute jacket, $2,295. Double Rainbouu shirt, $195.
WITH A LIVELY VOLCANIC PAST, THE GULLIES OF THE RAINFOREST GIVE WAY TO A TUMBLE OF ROCKS AND YOUNG FOLIAGE. THE VOLCANIC SOIL SUPPORTS A TREASURE BOX OF FLORA AND FAUNA, INCLUDING BANGALOW PALMS, NATIVE TAMARIND AND RICH BIRD LIFE, TO TRY TO OUT-PEACOCK.
Ellery dress, $3,750. Louis Vuitton backpack, $2,760. Cartier bracelet, $9,600, leather bracelet, $3,570, and ring, $4,850. Christian Dior belt, $3,250. Falke socks, $30. Marsèll boots, $1,570.
GGemma wears a ChloéChlé jacket,jkt $3,495,3495 andd skirt,kit $3,565. 3 565 Patagonia hat, $60. Fleet Ilya harness, $510. Cartier bracelet, $9,600, leather bracelet, $3,570, watch, $8,100, and ring, $4,850. Givenchy bag, $2,650. Falke socks, $30. Marsèll boots, $1,570. From left: Naia wears a Children of the Tribe dress, $65. Earth & Soul necklaces, $45 and $30, and bracelets, $35 each. Jacinta James bag, $250. David wears a Song for the Mute jacket, $1,695, and shorts, $795. Bassike shirt, $360. Cartier ring, $5,200. Falke socks, $25. Pierre Hardy boots, $1,070. Jet wears Pip and Lenny overalls, $60. Feather Drum T-shirt, $60. THE GEOLOGY OF THE AREA IS AN ASTOUNDING 20 MILLIONPLUS YEARS OLD, AND FORMS VERTIGINOUS CLIFFS AND COCOONING OVERHANGS TO EXPLORE AT WILL, ALL THE MORE REASON TO KEEP HIKING BOOTS FIRMLY ON FEET.
Dion Lee dress, $1,090. Missoni scarf, $530. Chanel bag, $6,800, from the Chanel boutiques. Cartier watch, $8,100, and ring, $4,850. Pierre Hardy boots, $1,070. MUSCULAR ROPES OF VINE LANGUIDLY WRAP AROUND TRUNKS UNDER A CANOPY IN A PLACE TO ESCAPE THE WORLD. SOCIAL CLIMBERS NEED NOT APPLY.
Camilla and Marc dress, $650. Fleet Ilya bodice, $1,400. Cartier bracelet, $9,600, leather bracelet, $3,570, watch, $8,100, and ring, $4,850. Falke socks, $30. Marsèll boots, $1,570. Fragrance: Prada La Femme Water Splash L’Eau Body Spray. PROTESTORS FALLS EMPTY INTO A DEEP PLUNGE POOL THAT COULD BE SOMETHING OUT OF A MIRAGE. NAMED AFTER THE PROTESTORS WHO STOPPED LOGGING IN THE 1970S TO SAVE THE SURROUNDING RED CEDARS, THEY GIVE NATURAL DRAMA THAT CAN ONLY BE MATCHED BY AN ELEGANTLY VOLUMINOUS DRESS.
Maticevski dress, $2,350. Cartier bracelet, $9,600, leather bracelet, $3,570, and ring, $4,850. Albus Lumen x Helen Kaminski bag, $620. Marsèll boots, $1,570.
Chloe Mottau top, $600, and pants, $280. Missoni scarf, worn as a headband, $530. Givenchy bag, $2,650. Pierre Hardy boots, $1,070. THIS PART OF NEW SOUTH WALES IS HOME TO KOALAS, HONEYEATERS, LACE MONITORS AND ENDANGERED SPECIES LIKE FLEAY’S BARRED FROG. TREAD LIGHTLY THEN, IN DIAPHANOUS SKIRT LENGTHS AND WASHED-OUT COLOUR.
KitX dress, $645. Fleet Ilya harness, $905. Cartier bracelet, $9,600, leather bracelet, $3,570, and ring, $4,850. Falke socks, $30. Marsèll boots, $1,570.
Gemma wears a Zimmermann top, $1,750, and skirt, $1,950. Fleet Ilya belt, $1,105. Cartier watch, $8,100, and ring, $4,850. Falke socks, $30. Marsèll boots, $1,570. Jet wears a Hope & May top, $40. Goldie and Ace bloomers, $30. Naia wears a Millk top, $70, and shorts, $50. IT’S EASY TO FEEL LIKE THE LAST PEOPLE ON EARTH IF YOU CATCH THE BEACH AT THE RIGHT TIME OF DAY. THE WILD STRETCH OF COASTLINE BEGINNING AT CAPE BYRON, RUNNING ALONG TALLOW BEACH AND ENDING AT BROKEN HEAD IS A PLACE TO BE WILFULLY MAROONED.
Gemma wears a Bianca Spender top, $395. Naia wears a Millk top, $70.
Alexander McQueen dress, $3,670. Missoni scarf, $530. Fleet Ilya harness, $780. Louis Vuitton bag, $4,650. Cartier bracelet, $9,600, leather bracelet, $3,570, watch, $8,100, and ring, $4,850. Falke socks, $30. Marsèll boots, $1,570. Hair: Sophie Roberts Make-up: Kellie Stratton Props: Helen Fitzgerald and Charlie Cummings Location support: Shayne Allen Shot on location at Nightcap National Park and Byron Shire, New South Wales. THE COASTLINE OFFERS
UP AN UNRIVALLED VARIETY OF LANDSCAPES FOR TRUE EXPLORERS – OR DREAMSCAPES WHEN THEY TAKE ON A SURREAL QUALITY UNDER THE LIGHT OF THE MOON.