Patience is a virtue, but not necessarily something you would immediately think is necessary for a career in modelling. But as Allegra Overton forges her own path in the industry, she hopes it will be one of her greatest assets.
“At the start, I did not have patience. I was like, ‘When is everything going to happen?’” she tells WHO.
“But in this industry, I’ve learned you have to have patience. That’s the most important thing. So I’ve gotten much better at that. I’m so happy at taking it one step at a time.”
It might be one step at a time, but Allegra, the oldest daughter of media personality Jessica Rowe and veteran Nine newsreader Peter Overton, has just taken a big first step.
The 17-year-old has shot her first campaign for a new range from Bonds, in collaboration with Double Rainbouu.
Fusing Double Rainbouu’s seaside-inspired prints with the legacy of Bonds’ comfy styles, the 15-piece collection is designed to go from the bedroom to the beach then straight to the bar.
“It was amazing, the vibes were so good,” enthuses Allegra. “I worked with such a lovely team – and the whole range was so comfy to wear. I’m all for comfort in clothes, and it’s so beautiful as well.”
The campaign shoot comes after she signed with Priscilla’s Models in 2023. And in May this year, she made her catwalk debut at Australian Fashion Week, walking for Kiwi brand Rory William Docherty.
As WHO chats with Allegra, alongside is her adoring mum. She’s there in part as a chaperone for her daughter, as she was for the campaign shoot, but it’s also clear she wants to share the pride she feels for her firstborn and the big sister to Giselle, 15.
“Allegra loves fashion – she always has, and to see [her] in an environment that [she] just loves, I think is what all parents just dream of. It’s wonderful. You just want your kids to do what makes their heart sing,” Rowe says.
Not only is Rowe supportive of Allegra’s career aspirations, she has also been a significant influence. “My mum, she has such cool clothes. She has the coolest fashion ever – maybe not every piece I would wear … but it’s so unique, I love it,” says Allegra, who also nominates Kate Moss and Gemma Ward as her fashion icons.
But it’s not just because of her wardrobe that Allegra looks up to her mum.
“I marvel at her every day. Her mental health work and advocating for it is also something I’m passionate about as well. She’s one of the bravest people I know.” Allegra reveals that she’s had very open and frank conversations with her parents about how cutthroat the industry she wants to get into can be. But she is undeterred.
“I’m very headstrong and I have a really good support team around me,” Allegra says. She explains that she approaches each opportunity with a positive attitude, and if she doesn’t get the booking, she says, “I don’t look at it as a rejection. They just didn’t want the blonde with the blue eyes this time. That’s not anything to do with me.”
As well as pursuing her modelling career, Allegra is still focused on her studies as she heads into her final year. After that, she hopes to travel and work overseas. For now, though, she’s enjoying the path she’s on. “I feel so free [when I’m modelling] and I just feel at one with myself and everything that’s going on around me. I feel very in control. I just love it!”
(The limited edition, 15-piece Bonds x Double Rainbouu collection launches on October 2. The range, priced from $29.99 to $79.99, features woven boxers, cropped tanks, graphic tees as well a soft robe. It will be available at select stores and online at Bonds)
