Fresh-faced and fabulous, fierce Aussie beauty Ella McCutcheon has become a force to be reckoned with on and off the runway. Ella became a model while studying for her high school finals. The budding muse, hair flowing and pout perfect, later closed the book on her former life and hasn’t looked back since. 

V: What do you want people to know about modeling that you don’t think they do?

Ella McCutcheon: Modeling, as a job, is a unique blend of quiet downtime and fast-paced chaos. You experience some months of nonstop fashion. You will also have large amounts of downtime in the ‘off-season.’ You have to learn to maintain routines in both realms, which is definitely a learning experience. One of my favorite hobbies to pick up in my downtime is wood whittling- the craft of shaping a piece of wood into a design using a handheld knife. It’s really relaxing and it’s easy to do anywhere while requiring very little equipment. I typically make spoons and other kitchen utensils but when I have larger material I make trays for home décor.

V: How do you think modeling will change moving forward? 

EM: The fashion industry has become more ‘known’ on the outside of the industry through films like The Devil Wears Prada and its recent sequel. It’s a positive that more people understand high fashion, modeling, and the nature of shooting for magazines. When you compare the state of the industry between 2006 and 2026, one of the biggest changes is the accessibility. There is more diversity, representation, and inclusivity than ever before, which creates a more welcoming environment. We still have changes to make, but there has been notable growth, and that makes us all happy to see.

V: What does growth mean to you as a person and as a model?

EM: Growth to me is continuously working on yourself to get to a place of self-contentment. Society has a tendency of dramatizing everything. There are too many opinions floating around. It’s difficult to ignore these voices and have full confidence in yourself, but  it’s important to make yourself happy, to pursue your own passions. When you take care of yourself, you feel different while you work. There is a tangible difference in the interactions between you, the camera, and the client. It’s a feeling, a lighter energy that everyone can pick up on and enjoy. I think it makes for a more beautiful picture as well.

This cover story appears in the pages of V161: now available for purchase!

Photography Luigi & Iango

Fashion B. Åkerlund

Creative Director / Editor-in-Chief Stephen Gan

Model Ella McCutcheon (DNA)

Casting Maxime Valentini (2b Management)

Makeup Tayler Treadwell (Streeters)

Hair Mari Watase (87 Artists) using Oribe

Manicure Leanne Woodley (See Management) using CND

Fashion Market Editor Copelyn Bengel

Styling Support Elanur Erdoğan (Forward Artists)

Producer Louis Guillemain (2b Management)

Cinematographer Santiago Montes

Photo Assistant Francisco Betancourt

Makeup Assistants Chloe Yang, Jack Titcomb

Production Assistants Juliet Lloyd, Angelina Aliano, Maksim Doraev