Jessica Gomes Talks Fashion, Fitness and Backstage Antics

What has your preparation been like in the lead-up to tonight's show?
This is my sixth season for David Jones, which is crazy! I’ve been boxing a lot. Jesinta (Campbell) has been doing the same, so we’re looking forward to getting into the ring together! I’m actually learning how to fight at the moment. So it’s not just exercise, I’m also learning a new skill, which is really cool.

I have to mix it up – I get really bored just going to the gym so it’s nice to be doing something constructive while also getting fit.

Does the A/W prep differ from your S/S prep considering there’s no swimwear?
I definitely feel a bit more relaxed - there’s a little less pressure because I’m not wearing a swimsuit. But there’s a lot of tight dresses this season! I do whatever I can to look good. I take my vitamins and sleep well – I think it’s smart to stay healthy all year round.

RELATED: David Jones Autumn/Winter 2016 Fashion Launch Red Carpet

RELATED: David Jones Autumn/Winter 2016 Fashion Launch Runway

Jessica Gomes on the red carpet at the David Jones Autumn/Winter 2016 Fashion Launch. Photo: Getty Images

What are some of the beauty products that you cant live without right now?
I’m loving the MAC strobe cream, I’ve been using that every day. It gives your skin a really lovely dewy, highlighted look. And the MAC lip conditioner is fabulous. Other than that, I always have a hydration spray in my bag - it’s a quick, easy way to give your skin some moisture.

For this show you’ll be joined by Jesinta Campbell as well as Montana Cox and Catherine McNeill - do you girls all get together and hang out before the show? Do you have any funny tidbits from rehearsals/lead up etc?
We do all hang out, and we have a really great DJs squad this season! The girls are super lovely and we all get along really well. We’ve just been doing our press shots together, but we haven’t had a chance to properly hang out, so hopefully after the show we can actually spend quality time together and let loose.

Out of all of you, who is the: Funny one? Serious one? Clumsy one? Smartest one?
Montana is the funny one! She’s an hilarious little thing. She cracks me up every second of the day. I’m probably the serious one – I can get pretty deep sometimes. Montana is the clumsy one (‘What?!’ says Montana from the changing room next door.) Yeah you are! You say that you are. And I’m definitely the smartest. Of course (laughs).

RELATED: Jessica Gomes Opens Up About Facing Her Fears

Jessica Gomes wearing Christopher Esber on the runway. Photo: Getty Images

What’s your pick of the top trends coming through this season?
Autumn/winter is great because I love layering. There’s so much to choose from! This season there’s a lot of Victoriana influence coming through – high necklines, lace and tailored pieces. I’m loving the burgundy pieces and the overcoats as well.

In terms of colour, monochrome is still big – David Jones really caters to their customers and they like to stock the trends that they know their customers will like.

But Camilla obviously always does a bright print, which is great for those that love a little colour and a little Middle Eastern influence!

I love that David Jones supports local designers as well as people like Daniel Johns and the Sydney Dance Company. They really are focused on supporting Australian artists – without art, the world would be a very boring place! It’s so much fun for me because I get to meet these incredible people that are doing incredible things.

Jessica Gomes on the runway alongside Jesinta Campbell, Catherine McNeill and Montana Cox. Photo: Getty Images

Speaking of interesting people, last time we spoke you had just wrapped filming a movie with Bruce Willis, and then you did a film with Owen Wilson. What was it like working with them?
Bruce Willis is so cool. It was amazing to be on set with him and see how he works because he’s been doing it for so long. Owen is very interesting – very funny and smart. And Glenn Close is obviously amazing. It was insane to meet these people that I’ve always looked up to.

It’s really exciting that I get to do films now – that’s where I put my focus last year and it’s starting to happen. This is obviously new territory for me, so I’m just seeing how it goes.

Outside of the acting, what is coming up next for you?
Aside from the David Jones show, I’ll be headed back to LA where I live. I’m really settled there and I love it. There are a couple of things in the pipeline – lots of auditions and a few new scripts to go through.

And that's a wrap! "D U S T E D // thanks for a great show, @davidjonesstore. Now for room service and face masks... @margaret__zhang @fumiyamamoto" Jess wrote alongside this snap. Photo: Instagram

What’s your lifestyle like in LA?
LA is a very healthy place to live if you want it to be. I do a lot of outdoor exercise – I’ll do Runyon canyon or go for a jog around Malibu. It’s my perfect little life. I love it and I’m so happy and settled there. It’s similar to Sydney in many ways. You can be amongst all the fun Hollywood stuff if you like, but you can also retreat if you want to and have a quiet lifestyle. There’s a lot of amazing artists over there too – I feel like LA is the place to be at the moment.

How will you be celebrating after the show?
My parents are here, so I’ll chill with them for a while, and see all my friends. It’s really great to be home. Australia has such a tight-knit fashion community and I always look forward to catching up with everyone.