‘Top Supermodel’ launches cultural, advocacy-driven events in the Philippines

The Top Supermodel competition, an Australian brand that blends fashion with purpose, is making its mark in the Philippines with two landmark fashion events this September. More than a runway contest, this global platform champions advocacy, empowerment, and cultural collaboration.

Twenty-five official candidates are in the running this year. Among them, three contenders—Gracie Baker from Sydney, Stevie Hearl from Adelaide, and Jordan Michelle Smith from Melbourne—arrived ahead of the scheduled shows and were formally introduced during a press conference held on July 3 in Quezon City. These early arrivals set the tone for what this competition is truly about: passion with purpose.

Gracie Baker brings over a decade of modeling experience, coupled with a degree in fashion and business. “To be the next top supermodel would be probably the greatest honor of my life,” she said. “Honestly, I have been modeling for over 10 years and it’s a huge passion of mine… this whole industry is something that I just—I absolutely adore.”

Beyond the runway, Gracie is using her voice to raise awareness for endometriosis, a condition she was recently diagnosed with. “I really enjoy how this competition, you get to advocate for causes that is dear to your heart… I had stage three endometriosis which I found out a couple of months ago and I’m really keen to raise awareness for it and I think this competition would help bring it to many people’s houses and especially if they’re dealing with chronic illness. It can really help women’s lives to get it checked,” she shared. “To be the next top supermodel and just have that awareness and all of that training and just be the best version of myself, I just would be, you know, insurmountable to say.”

For Stevie Hearl, the competition is about representation. A proud Indigenous Australian woman, she sees this platform as a way to give back. “As an Indigenous Australian woman, I want to be a voice and an advocate for other Indigenous Australian children that don’t have a voice to follow their dreams,” she said. “By winning Top Supermodel, I’ll be able to use my platform to motivate others and help them reach their dreams just like I have.”

Jordan Michelle Smith brings another layer of purpose—education. With aspirations to become an international teacher and establish educational programs for underserved communities, she views the competition as more than a stepping stone. “I’d like to become an international teacher, go to other countries and remote areas to help the students learn, provide them with support and equipment,” she said. “Becoming the next top supermodel will help me ultimately achieve that goal and continue in the modeling world.”

At the helm of this movement is Michelle Membrere, founder of Top Supermodel, who envisions a new kind of model—one that fuses fashion with public speaking, advocacy, and storytelling. “Top Supermodel is a brand—an Australian brand—that’s merging pageantry into the editorial world. We are getting some of the practices that we have from the pageantry bringing into the fashion industry. One of this one is the advocacy. Second is actually about the speaking ability.” she said. “We are also introducing a new kind of model. We do have runway models, billboard models, prints, streams. At Top Supermodel, we are introducing what we call the fusion models. Fusion models are models who are speakers who have been champion runways and prints.” 

Bringing part of the competition to the Philippines was an intentional move. …“We are promoting cross-cultural here. We would like to merge the culture of Australia and the Philippines,” she said, noting the country’s stature in fashion and pageantry. “The Philippines is the home of the first supermodel in Asia, Anna Bayle. And currently, whether they like it or not—data is not lying—the Philippines is the one to beat in the pageant world.”

As the competition raises the bar, so do the stakes. The grand winner of Top Supermodel will receive a starting prize of AUD 10,000. But more than the cash reward, the real value lies in opportunity: a year-long journey with up to AUD 50,000 worth of contracts, brand sponsorships, and representation deals. The winner will also become the face of several partner campaigns and—perhaps most notably—will host a digital talk show titled Fashion Microphone on the Top Supermodel Channel TV, an in-house production that extends the model’s influence beyond fashion and into media.

This September, Top Supermodel will hold two key events in the Philippines. The first is the Preliminary & International Runway, set in September at Intramuros, Manila, as part of Fashion Canvass. It will showcase both international and local designers, with candidates evaluated not just on style, but on their ability to represent diversity and meaning through fashion.

Following this is TTSM Kaleidoscope, a cultural showcase in collaboration with six local government units. Here, designers and models will present collections inspired by regional identity, artistry, and tradition—creating a unique bridge between Australian and Filipino creativity.

Beyond the spotlight, Top Supermodel also has its sights on legacy. The launch of the Australia–Philippines Art Skills Center aims to provide training in fashion, photography, styling, and the creative arts, with a focus on women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and youth. The center will offer workshops, mentorships, and inclusive programs that drive sustainable community impact.

As the competition unfolds, Top Supermodel proves it’s more than a search for beauty—it’s a movement. With voices like Gracie’s, Stevie’s, and Jordan’s leading the way, the next top supermodel won’t just walk the runway—they’ll walk with purpose.