Proud Bardi man - with connections to Yaruwu and Kija Country - Jake Powers has engaged in a variety of runway opportunities across Australia.

While he was born and raised in Broome - and now calls it home once again - Powers has lived between locations due to assisting his family who have been unwell throughout the years.

"I have not always lived in Broome though, I've moved quite a bit in my life time especially throughout high school, moving 7-8 times I lost count because of bullying and deeper things throughout those years but I've found the light and confidence to do what I've shown on lathe runway this year which makes me proud," he said.

"When I first got into modelling I had just finished taking care of my grandmother (because she was sick) and two little siblings in Queensland while mum packed up and sold the house in Broome to move over to Queensland and take care of nan and I moved to Perth looking for work."

After arriving in Perth looking for work, it was not long before Powers, now 19, found himself on the runway.

"My Aunty Aggie Pigram reached out to me and said that there was this runway she wanted me and my younger brother to do because she had a collection going up on the Country to Couture stage sometime in August of 2023 and I took the opportunity. Since then I've done two brand shoots - Yarn and Broome Beach Co. and three runways, Kimberley moon fashion show in Kununurra, KAFTA runway in Broome and including country to couture (2024) this year," he said.

While he has engaged in a variety of modelling opportunities, Powers shares that his search for work within his hometown of Broome has been quite difficult.

"I've had a pretty hard year being unemployed looking for work in my hometown during peak tourist season which is especially hard and I'm not signed to any agency yet but I've been successful in finding the right little jobs that could potentially push me closer to being a part of the industry," he said.

To fill the gaps whilst looking for work, Powers has picked up a series of small projects to further expand both his exposure and knowledge.

"Earlier this year i worked with Marrageku stage production team to put together and take down the stage as well as working whilst the show is on with hospitality cases. I've done a yarn photoshoot and a Broome beach co. photo shoot this year," he said.

"I worked with Belinda Cook to help put together the KAFTA runway and event which included me sort of mentoring the models a little and dressing the male models whilst also being a model on the runway at the same time. My most recent project this year was with Indigenous Fashion Projects for 3 weeks as their mentee for Country to Couture 2024 in Darwin which I am so blessed and thankful for being apart of, it's got me addicted and i want more work like it I don't wanna stop I want to keep growing in that particular area."

"I started in July but I'm also doing a mentorship with the sharing stories foundation learning and observing the creative mind of Michael Jalaru Torres who's showing me all he knows on photography, videography and digital art."

"Being someone that loves the creative industry and has been watching it for a while I see that it's progressing a lot especially with in influx of creativity we see coming out of our communities, remote communities, wherever. The industry I feel is very open and more excepting to Indigenous creators and creativity today," Powers told Style Up.

When he is not making his way down the runway, Powers is an artist himself, regularly enjoying creating new designs on garments.

"I am an artist so I do art as well I'm hoping to get one of my designs on my family's fishing shirts that they show on next year's runway, fingers crossed. I'm also aspiring/working on the making of my own clothing brand, so that's brewing to be something amazing I hope," he said.

When it comes to future plans and projects in 2024, Powers is quick to confirm that he intends to stay busy and really dive into the opportunities he is presented.

"As for what's next for me, I'm just going to keep myself busy with my mentorship, look for work, casual gigs but I hope to come across something more permanent within the modelling industry like Fashion Week's somewhere… but all the time, or the fashion industry because I have just fallen deep in love with what i know i can do because I've shown that being the mentee this year with Indigenous Fashion Projects for Country to Couture," he said.

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