Gemma Ward Explains Why She Took a 6 Year Break from Modeling

Last September, model Gemma Ward shocked the fashion world by making her return to modeling at the spring Prada show. And during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia, she made her second runway appearance at the Ellery show. In an interview with News Australia, Gemma shared why she left the modeling world for six years. “I was searching for ways to define myself away from modeling and also just exploring things that were already a part of me, like writing and playing music and painting,” says Ward. “I didn’t intend in the beginning for it to take so long, but I’m really glad that I took the time, and I feel like it’s been enriching.”

Related: 10 Amazing Gemma Ward Vogue Covers

The Australian model also talked about her unique looks which some may describe as baby doll. But to her, she calls them alien. “Sometimes I wish that I didn’t look like an alien,” she reveals. “I was probably aware of it [that I looked different], but it gets more heightened as you get older.”