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Born in Newcastle, a small city on the coast of New South Wales, Australia, model Charlee Fraser knew little of the fashion industry when she was suddenly thrust into the global fashion scene. After being scouted at the age of 18, Charlee quickly joined IMG and became a rising star in Australia, before a breakout season at the Fall/Winter 2016 shows which cemented her place as an international star.
Fraser's 'star is born' moment came when the iconic hairstylist Guido Palau chopped her long tresses into a chic bob right before she hit the Alexander Wang runway at New York Fashion Week. Charlee was immediately dubbed the "new face to know" by American Vogue and caught the eye of top casting directors. That season she walked 40 shows, including Prada, Balenciaga, Chanel, Dior, Givenchy and Céline. A proud Awabakal woman, Charlee's success doubled as a historic moment in fashion, she was the first Indigenous Australian model to work with the international fashion houses.
Charlee went on to front campaigns for Tom Ford, Céline, Stella McCartney, Givenchy, and Giorgio Armani (among many others), being photographed by the likes of Mario Sorrenti, Mert & Marcus, and Juergen Teller. Her editorial career skyrocketed both locally and abroad, including multiple covers for the Australian and international editions of Vogue and Harper's BAZAAR, and shoots for Dazed, W, Numero, T Magazine, American Vogue, and more. Charlee was only the third Indigenous model to appear on the cover of Australian Vogue in the titles' 56-year history and made history again when she starred in the title's iconic May 2022 all-Indigenous cover, alongside Elaine George, Magnolia Maymuru and Cindy Rostron.
In 2020 Charlee moved from New York City back to Australia, where she became the ambassador for First Nations Fashion + Design (FNFD), a not-for-profit organisation that aims to build an ecology of Indigenous artists and talent within the fashion industry. In December of 2020 she helped lead and produce the 'Walking in Two Worlds' program, in which she mentored up-and-coming Indigenous models from community, and in 2022 she accepted a role on FNFD's board of directors. Charlee also founded the sustainability campaign NOT JUST TRENDING, unveiling the project at Australian Fashion Week in 2021. Defined by her passion for ethically sourced and produced fashion and beauty, Charlee parlayed the success of NOT JUST TRENDING into a much-downloaded sustainability guide.
In 2023, Charlee turned her eye toward acting for the first time, quickly winning significant roles in two major film productions. The first, a Warner Brothers action film, due for release on 23 May 2024, titled Furiorsa. The second, a romantic comedy 'Anyone But You'distributed by Sony which was released in cinemas 26 December 2023.
Charlee is also co-founder of Clearly Music, Arts & Wellness Festival, a unique annual event focusing on wellness, community, and inclusion held in Kiama, New South Wales. Charlee's focus will be strategizing and implementing sustainable practices within the festival, overseeing every element of the event's planning to push all sectors to adopt the most sustainable options available. The inaugural Clearly Festival will be held on Saturday November 11th 2023, and will feature acts including Xavier Rudd, Skegss, and Gretta Ray. Spanning two days, Clearly will deliver a range of opportunities for the next generation of creatives and artists.
With a singular look, a passion for advocating for her community, and a creative energy that spans from fashion to film, Charlee is a unique force in both Australia and internationally. Her star will only continue to rise.
