Latiesha Matthews, 14, was granted a wildcard entry to the January finals of the Indigenous Connections Aboriginal model search after competing in Melbourne last month.

Having won the Bendigo round of the competition three years ago, Latiesha decided to give it another shot this year.

In Sydney, she will compete against other aspiring Indigenous models from across the country, who will be judged on their photoshoots and performance on the runway.

The competition offers participants the chance to secure a contract with an agency, with previous winners modelling in Australia and internationally.

The fashion industry is often called out for its lack of diversity, and Latiesha hopes to see more Aboriginal models, in the interests of equality. 

She also hopes she will one day be able to make a career out of modelling.

Latiesha’s mother Kim Wilkes said there was a substantial cost associated with helping her daughter make it to Sydney, so has set up a GoFundMe page, ‘Latiesha’s modelling dream’, to raise money.