Alumni Profile: Charlotte Stephenson
Modelling found Charlotte Stephenson before she ever went looking for it.
While strolling through the Sydney Royal Easter Show at 14, she was “scouted” by an agent – a surprise for someone whose dream job back then was veterinary nursing.
She politely declined to focus on her studies, but the idea lingered. Three years later, she signed with her Australian Mother Agency, packed her bags, and swapped the Hunter Valley for casting calls.
From the Hunter to high fashion
The leap paid off quickly.
At just 19, she boarded a plane to Europe for her first solo trip to Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks. With no team, no translator, and no real idea what to expect, she navigated a packed schedule of pre-castings and castings across two of the most iconic cities in fashion.
“I was figuring it all out on my own – tracing my route through unfamiliar via’s (Italian streets) and rue’s (French streets), trying not to get lost between castings. There were times I definitely did.”
It was a full-on crash course in independence. The days were long, the pressure high – and yet it all came together when she landed her breakthrough moment: walking for the legendary Giorgio Armani. A surreal experience, and one that confirmed she was exactly where she was meant to be.
Since then, she has booked shows, campaigns and editorials across the globe, relishing an industry that “never stops reinventing itself.” New trends, fresh creatives and fast friendships keep every season feeling brand‑new.
Inside the modelling life
Behind the magazine spreads lies a tougher reality. Long hours, constant travel and regular rejection demand thick skin and self‑discipline.
Her three essentials for anyone eyeing the catwalk:
- Network with people already in the industry.
- Treat every job as an experience – big or small.
- Remember that every rejection is just a redirection.
HVGS foundations
When she thinks back to HVGS, it’s the easy laughter and daily routine she misses most. Supportive teachers, close‑knit friends and plenty of encouragement gave her the confidence to try something totally unexpected.
“You don’t realise how much those resources matter until you’re out in the world,” she reflects.
Her perfectionist streak once piled on pressure. Today she tells her high‑school self -and any student who’ll listen… “You. Have. Time.”
Dedication is a virtue, she adds, but so is balance: “… do your best in a way that’s healthy and sustainable.”
"The glitz and glamour moments don’t magically fall into your lap."
Redefining success
Experience has also reshaped her view of achievement.
She keeps a quote close:
“A satisfied life is more valuable than a successful one.”
In other words, real success is personal contentment, not external applause. By that measure, she’s right where she wants to be – growing, learning and enjoying the roundabouts along the way.
