STAFF WRITER
Casino has its own top model – Latahlia Hickling features on the September issue of Elle magazine.
The former Casino High School student is one of the Next Gen Model Of The Year winners.
The 19 year old Githabul and Bundjalung woman is still carrying on with her daily life amid her rise in the fashion world.
“I feel like I’m a nine year old and a 50 year old all at once,” Latahlia said.
Time at home keeps her grounded, she said.
“When I’m not working, I bore easily and tend to overthink, I just want to be booked and busy.”
During covid, Latahlia was posting to TikTok. She was a bit bored, and going stir-crazy.
An opportunity came up and the next thing she knew she was on a flight to Paris to make her runway debut for designer Matthieu Blazy who was the new creative director for Chanel.
Latahlia was one of two Indigenous Australian models cast for the spring/summer 2026 runway, alongside Tatyana Perry.
“I was just praying and praying and keeping my mind busy,” Latahlia said about handling her nerves backstage.
From magazine cover shoots to international demand, Latahlia is rapidly being positioned as one of fashion’s next big faces. 
Latahlia works hard in the model industry.
“I’m thinking about a million things while the cameras are clicking, trying to listen to direction and be aware of what I’m doing,” she said.
“It always surprises me how the photos turn out.”
And here she is gracing the cover of Elle – out on September 7.