Off Duty with Lisa Rutledge
3 June 2026 | Words by Kate Jacobs
Welcome back to ‘Off Duty’ where we get to know the faces behind the Festival – on and off the job.
Lisa Rutledge has been in Vogue, walked runways in Paris, London and Milan and has somehow managed to make a freezing Melbourne football stadium feel like the only place to be for the PMFF 2026 campaign. Iconic Australian model turned photographer, she brings the same sharp eye, charming wit and unshakeable elegance to everything she does - on both sides of the camera.
How were you involved with the Festival in 2026?
My agent said that I was booked to do the advertising campaign for the Festival, which, of course, I jumped at. I was also thrilled about it because Steph Cammarano was going to be the photographer. I’d worked with her before on the Tony Matichevski campaign and we had the best time! Oh…I should also add that she is a brilliant photographer.
Can you share your favourite moment from the 2026 Festival?
It was the campaign day. Myself and a few of the beautiful young models were outside on a super cold typical Melbourne winter morning. We did the shoot in a football stadium, and we were all sitting around int eh stands with buckets of chips and Cokes and so forth. Then Steph wanted to do a photo where somebody supposedly kicked a goal, and in shock we all launched our food into the air. That was pretty funny. It went everywhere.
What advice would you give to aspiring models?
I think it's very important to be professional, show up on time, always make an effort to go to your appointments, don't be blasé. God, it's the same advice that you know as a parent you would give little kids: learn people's names, be polite, make sure you get enough sleep, look after your body and eat properly. It's not a very exciting answer, but you know, it's a job. It's like any other job. You want to take it seriously, even though you're not in an office all day, and it doesn't look like a lot of other jobs. It really is a serious job. The reason that I say that is because I didn't think of it that way when I was young, and I do now.
Lisa Rutledge in Gary Bigeni for PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival 2026 campaign
Lisa Rutledge for Toni Maticevski, Pre-Fall 2025
“I became a photographer right after I stopped being a model when I was young, and I'm still doing it. I literally went from one side of the camera to the other. And then back again!”
Lisa Rutledge on the cover of L'Officiel
Do you have a side hustle? If so, tell us about it.
Yeah! I am a photographer, and I primarily shoot kids and families and associated things — for example, corporate portraiture, weddings and events. I have actually been a professional photographer for over 30 years. I became a photographer right after I stopped being a model when I was young, and I'm still doing it. I literally went from one side of the camera to the other. And then back again! www.lisarutledge.com
How would you like to see the Australian fashion industry evolve or innovate in the future?
I would like to see the industry representing more older faces. I feel that Australia is a bit behind in that respect. We still have a tendency to, for example, in fashion shows, book older women as a bit of a token, instead of having older women a lot more featured in the shows. Because, as we all know, it's these same women who are buying these clothes and products. And I think young and old women really appreciate seeing this representation. Everyone loves it. Why can't we get behind it more? I want to see more of that.
What do you love most about Melbourne style?
Oh, Melbourne style. I think of Melbourne as — and a lot of other people say this too — Melbourne's like New York, Sydney's like Los Angeles. I love both cities, and I've lived in both cities. Melbourne style is a little more cosmopolitan, I think, due to the weather. A bit more fashion-forward, chic and in an understated way — so a bit more fashionable.
“I would like to see the industry representing more older faces. Because, as we all know, it's these same women who are buying these clothes and products. And I think young and old women really appreciate seeing this representation. Everyone loves it. Why can't we get behind it more? I want to see more of that.”
If you had to describe your relationship with fashion in just one word, what would it be and why?
Understated. When I dress myself, the first thing I have to be is completely comfortable. I cannot stand clothes that I'm not comfortable in — comfortable meaning physically comfortable, but also I don't like to feel self‑conscious in what I'm wearing, so it's got to be pretty understated.
What piece in your wardrobe do you wear the most?
Oh, I can tell you — that's really easy. A black cashmere poncho. I have a friend who has a beautiful cashmere store in Paris, and she sent me three of these incredible cashmere ponchos. The black one is the key part of my winter wardrobe. I've worn it for years and years now. I wear it all the time. You can wear it as a scarf, you can wear it around your head like a hood, you can wear it in different ways as a poncho, you can wear it under a coat, you can wear it on top of things. It's really practical, and because the cashmere is such beautiful quality, after all of these years, it still looks brand new — really gorgeous.
If you could only shop from one Victorian fashion brand for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
Essen. Understated and chic, well made timeless pieces that are incredibly comfortable to wear, My black Essen Foundation Flats are my go to shoes. I wish I had some other colours, but you know, like my black cashmere poncho they’re a real key part of my wardrobe, I wear them all the time. They look amazing. It's like slipping your foot into butter — they're like kid gloves for your feet. The leather is so beautiful, and the quality is just amazing. Made to order in Italy. I also love the clothes as well, because again, they're kind of minimalist and beautifully made. You don't need to own a ton of clothing to be well outfitted — you can wear the same pieces season after season and sort of add to those.
What's something most people wouldn't know about you?
On Monday nights I'm taking a hip hop dance class. It’s called Groove Therapy in Newtown and its hip hop, funk and house. It's the funnest thing I've ever done in my life.
Lisa Rutledge wearing Yves Saint Laurent, French Vogue, early 1980s
Lisa Rutledge walks for Toni Maticevski, Australian Fashion Week 2026