Mum's tears for Gemma Ward
When Gemma Ward made her surprise comeback at Milan Fashion Week, the supermodel's extraordinary face displayed none of the nerves she would have been feeling.
Nearly 14,000km away in Perth, far from the eyes of the fashion world, her mother Claire had no need to maintain a poker face.
"I must admit I had a tear in my eye when she walked out," Mrs Ward told The West Australian. .
"I just felt really pleased for her. It was an important thing for her to come back: she loved modelling, she loves fashion and it just was the right time.
"I'd spent a very anxious week leading up to it. The fashion industry is very fickle and you never really know.
"Her partner (model David Letts) had never been to Europe before and it was his birthday the day before (the show), so she said 'even if it doesn't come off it'll be a beautiful experience for David on his birthday'."
Ward's return to the catwalk for Prada on September 18 after a six-year break after the death of rumoured boyfriend Heath Ledger, shocked and excited the fashion world.
The woman named the 10th top-earning supermodel in the world by Forbes in 2007 had kept a lower profile in recent years, despite a foray into acting that included a starring role in The Black Balloon and a small role in The Great Gatsby.
In December last year, Ward gave birth to daughter Naia.
But Mrs Ward said she always knew her daughter would be back.
"She got to see that if she chose to she could have a very normal life," Mrs Ward said. "I always knew she wanted to go back - she had unfinished business. It was kind of hard leaving when she did, she needed to go and spend some time for herself."
Speaking to Vogue Australia before the event, Ward said motherhood had boosted her confidence. "I do feel a lot more confident in myself as a mother," she said.
She's back: Gemma Ward. Picture: Twitter
"I felt ready to explore working again. I felt this is still a delicate time in Naia's life, she's still young, but the opportunity came at the right time."
Vivien's Model Management Perth boss Christine Fox, credited with launching Ward's career, said she was "very excited".
"I think we were all quietly hoping she would make a comeback," she said. "Gemma's comeback could not have been planned any better with opening for Prada . . . she nailed it."
Mrs Ward said she expected her daughter would focus on modelling in the near term.
"She's always been very professional and now she's an adult, she's a mother and I think she really has grown into someone who can see the value of her work," she said.
"If the fashion industry embraces her like it did before, and if Gemma can work in a way that has some balance with family life and it doesn't get too frantic, I think it would be amazing.
"I think she has a voice now, she's a mature woman and is able to say no.
"The industry tells you that the life of a model is very short and you have to say yes to everything and, unfortunately, that's why girls maybe do things that they wouldn't do if they sat back and thought about it.
"It's nice to be in a position where you can pick and choose, which I think Gemma's been able to do. She's said no to an awful lot in the last number of years."
