Yahoo Lifestyle Gemma Ward Opens The Prada Show
After retiring from modelling six years ago, Australian supermodel Gemma Ward made a triumphant return to the runway at Milan Fashion Week today.
The 26-year old, who gave birth to her first baby late last year, surprised guests at Prada's spring/summer show when she strutted onto the catwalk in a long overcoat.
At age 16, Gemma became the youngest model to ever grace the cover of American Vogue, and went on to make $25,000 per catwalk show.
Just when her star was rising however, Ward's rumoured partner, Heath Ledger, tragically died of an overdose, causing the model to quit the industry. She was also unfairly slammed for her weight gain, with several top designers calling her "too fat" for the runway.
She then appeared in a series of films including Black Balloon, but industry insiders hoped she'd return to the fashion industry.
Their prayers almost seemed answered last year, with IMG Models Australia's general manager Danielle Ragenard telling Frockwriter that Ward "want(ed) to get back into the Australian market."
"She hasn't worked in this market for a long time so to make the move obviously it's because she wants to further her career," said Ragenard.
Ward's unusual features made her one of the most in-demand models in the world, with fashion and style director Edward Enninful tweeting, "Nobody looked like Gemma, she was a one-off. I wish Gemma was still modelling!"
It seems like everyone's fashion prayers have finally been answered.
RELATED:
Gemma Ward gives birth
