Beauty shines as role model

Aboriginal model Raquisha Kearing is making waves in the industry, but remains committed to helping communities by taking part in events like Undalup’s Birak Festival taking place tomorrow.

Modelling since she was three, the 18-year-old told the Times she pursued her career with the ambitionof increasing indigenous-Australian representation in the industry.

“I remember thinking to myself as a child why there weren’t more Aboriginal models when I knew so many beautiful girls of different colours,” she said.

“I’m not signed but I don’t plan to be anytime soon because I’d rather do freelance, which allows me to continue helping young girls in the community at the same time.” Ms Kearing has become the face of Boodjera skin and beauty products, modelled at Perth Fashion Week, taken part in shoots in Melbourne and featured in Kavaar magazine, while still findingtime to dance with her father’s troupe Bindajeb Middars and create her own artwork.

Ms Kearing said she thoroughly enjoyed events like the Birak Festival, as people who attended were very receptive and enthusiastic.

“We spend so much time trying to make people understand who don’t actually want to,” she said. “The best feeling is to share culture with people who really want to learn.”

Ms Kearing will dance and display her artwork at the Birak Festival tomorrow at Gloucester Park Football Oval in Margaret River.

The festival will run from 10am-2pm.