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From WA farm to Paris catwalks

She's an in-demand fashion model but that doesn't mean *Kirsten Clemens *is afraid to get her hands dirty.

Raised in * Quairading *in rural *WA *, the brunette beauty is as comfortable on the catwalk as she is driving a tractor on her family's sheep and wheat farm.

Clemens, who is signed to Chadwick's Perth agency, has just returned home from seven months abroad working in Paris and Milan, where she charmed many high-profile clients with her down-to-earth personality and girl-next-door good looks.

"I'm so appreciative that I was able to grow up on a farm," she told _AAA _of the childhood that shaped the person she is today.

"As I was travelling my upbringing really helped on jobs because I have a very natural personality.

"I have strong values about talking to clients really well, which helps you to get good jobs, and I also try to just be myself and act naturally."

After completing her high school studies at *St Mary's Anglican Girls' School *in *Karrinyup *, Clemens began modelling full-time at just 17 and she's never looked back.

"As soon as I started modelling after Year 12 I just loved it," Clemens said. "I got goosebumps when I was out on the catwalk or a big adrenaline rush during photo shoots."

Once she had worked for big-name clients including David Jones and Target, the now 23-year-old knew she was ready to try her luck internationally.

"I wanted to feel ready to go overseas because I knew it was a big step," Clemens said. "You have to be really independent and know that you can do it. I wanted to give it a really good shot and stick it out.

"I never ever thought that I would make so many amazing friends over there and literally not want to leave."

Though she loved her time abroad, Clemens said she was very happy to be back in Australia where the fashion industry wasn't quite as relentless as in Europe.

"The industry over there is cutthroat," she revealed. "There's a lot of competition over there so if you're not your absolute best the client can just get another model."

'As soon as

I started modelling after Year 12 I just loved it. I got goosebumps when I was out on the catwalk or a big adrenaline rush during photo shoots.'