Representing Aotearoa on the world stage, these six women have blazed their own trails in the worlds of fashion influence, modelling, acting, choreography and business.
Starting out in New Zealand but having global aspirations is a daunting task, and for some it’s come easier than others. However, you make your own luck, and these six female fashion, beauty and business mavens continue to define what it means to influence in 2024 with a combined audience just shy of 4 million on Instagram alone.
Jaime Ridge
IG @jaimeridge
Jaime Ridge is a creative director, stylist, producer, brand consultant, and on top of all that, a mother and wife. Based in Los Angeles, she has solidified herself as a go-to creator in the world of luxury and bespoke brand collaborations. Scrolling her Instagram you’ll see collaborations with luxury brands such as Gucci, Tiffany & Co, Bulgari and Chanel to name a few in a very long list alongside antipodean brands such as Harris Tapper, Elle + Riley and Camilla and Marc. Bringing a distinctly New Zealand touch to her content and lifestyle in L.A., Jaime has always and will always continue to be at the forefront of New Zealand creators making waves overseas.
Caitlin Wiig
IG @caitlinwiig
Caitlin Wiig is a PR professional, brand consultant, and fashion influencer who relocated to Los Angeles in early 2024. Sharing personal and curated content, Caitlin has attracted and built a loyal following after her venture into the social media world in 2021.
Straddling the worlds of fashion and beauty in her content, Caitlin amassed a loyal following across Instagram and Tik Tok due to her honest accounts of daily life as a twenty-something year old navigating the world. Her unfiltered and unique approach to her content garnered an army of fans who fuelled Caitlin’s value as a local influencer who could deliver measurable ROI to brands.
Shifting that influence from Auckland to L.A. in 2024, Caitlin has taken a leap most would shy away from, and is building her profile as an influencer, PR agent and brand consultant – a true slashie. Her daily lifestyle content still inspires young Kiwis looking to explore the world, and like other loyal New Zealand creators, Caitlin continues to mix local brand content online with international brands and her L.A. favourites.
Georgia Fowler
IG @georgiafowler
Georgia Fowler is a model and mother based in Sydney. An icon in the fashion industry, her career has taken her across the globe, put her on the cover of industry-leading fashion magazines and had her walking acclaimed runways of designers such as Chanel, Prada, Balmain and Victoria’s Secret. Discovered at just 15, she quickly became one of the most sought-after faces in Australasian fashion.
Over the years, Georgia has been a champion for New Zealand on the global fashion stage. In addition to her modeling career, Georgia is a mother and an advocate for wellness, an inspiration for many as she balances a full-time career with motherhood whilst continuing to be a fashion and beauty icon to us all.
Grace Palmer
IG @gracemmpalmer
Grace Palmer is an actress based in Vancouver. With her career starting out on Shortland Street like many other hopeful Kiwi actors, Grace has shown us all where hard work and talent can get you, soaring to international success with her most recent role on the hit TV show ‘Animal Control’.
She is beloved by many for her vibrant personality and humor, and she can always be counted on to share lighthearted, relatable and funny content on social media, but also to be an advocate for the social justice issues she believes in. Someone who is talented and who uses their platform for good, Grace Palmer is making New Zealand proud and is one to watch in the years to come.
Parris Goebel
IG @parrisgoebel
Parris Goebel is a world-renowned dancer and choreographer based in Los Angeles, best known for founding the Palace Dance Crew and its internationally acclaimed group, The Royal Family. A trailblazer in the dance world, Parris has worked with major celebrities including Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Doja Cat, Lady Gaga, and Justin Bieber, earning global recognition for her innovative choreography.
Her rise to fame began in 2015 with the viral ‘Sorry’ dance for Justin Bieber, which became a cultural phenomenon. Since then, she has continued to make a name for herself, choreographing shows for Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty, Vogue World, The Super Bowl and solidifying her influence in the entertainment industry. Known for her unique and signature style, Parris’s work is instantly recognizable.
In addition to her influence as a choreographer, Parris is a trendsetter and influencer in the fashion industry, notably scoring herself a collaboration with Nike for her own ‘Dunk’ sneaker in 2023. With her talent and vision, Parris Goebel continues to represent New Zealand on the world stage.
Jess Clarke
IG @roimata
Jessica Clarke is a model and entrepreneur based in London. She is the co-founder and creative behind Mother Made Mushrooms, a wellness brand focused on supplements to combat stress and anxiety. Starting out in the modelling industry at age 15, Jess quickly rose to international prominence, walking major runways in Milan, Paris, New York and London by age 17. Over the years, she has starred in campaigns for top designers like Dolce & Gabbana, Calvin Klein, and Giorgio Armani and became the first New Zealand model to walk for Victoria’s Secret in 2011.
Jess leapt into her entrepreneur role as she took her passion for wellness and self-care and co-founded Mother Made to promote mental and physical health through the use of medicinal mushrooms. Since moving to London, Jess has expanded the business to the UK and can be seen balancing her successful career with a vibrant personal life, often sharing her wellness routines, adventures in Europe with her partner, and rubbing shoulders with big name celebrities.