RUSSH cover model Abbey Lee on her transition into film

ANNE SOFIE MADSEN jacket; OHNE TITEL top and bikini briefs; WE WHO PREY earring; model’s own jewellery (worn throughout).

PHOTOGRAPHY Daniella Rech PUBLISHED Tue, 14 Jun 2016 - 3:54 pm

Better, faster, stronger. Abbey Lee has evolved phoenix-like from a reluctant supermodel into a respected actress. And, as with everything she does, the creative chameleon has taken the movie star role and made it her own.

ABBEY_Large_05 — ANNE SOFIE MADSEN jacket; OHNE TITEL top and bikini briefs; WE WHO PREY earring; MANIAMANIA ring.

ABBEY_HERO_07 — Abbey Lee wears ANNE SOFIE MADSEN jacket; OHNE TITEL top; WE WHO PREY earring; MANIAMANIA ring. Chris wears DSQUARED2 scarf and necklace.

ABBEY_HERO_05 — Abbey Lee wears ANNE SOFIE MADSEN jacket; OHNE TITEL top and bikini briefs; ALPINESTARS shoes. Chris wears ALPINESTARS pants and shoes; DSQUARED2 scarf and necklace; model’s own bracelet.

"Mad Max being my first movie I just approached it with all guards down … I walked into it naked and carefree. I was very much learning.”

ABBEY_HERO_02 — Abbey Lee wears BURBERRY PRORSUM coat; OHNE TITEL bikini top; PRABAL GURUNG pants; ZANA BAYNE belt; PAUL SMITH sunglasses; COLLETTE ISHIYAMA earring; stylist’s own helmet. Chris wears ALPINESTARS pants; DSQUARED2 necklace.

L.A. is ... Heavy hip-hop beats in the car with a Starbucks in one hand and your manager on loudspeaker while you drive to an audition. The thing I love most about acting is ... Reality means shit. The biggest difference between acting and modelling is ... I have vocal chords. My favourite movie growing up was ... The Little Mermaid. Back then I wanted to be ... Something bigger than I could handle.

ABBEY — GIVENCHY BY RICCARDO TISCI top; 3.1 PHILLIP LIM top; TER ET BANTINE shorts; STVDIO BROOKLYN rings; AESA ring; MATERIA PRIMA ring.

“I have always been an innately creative person no matter what I’m doing. To say they are somehow all connected wouldn’t be so crazy.”

What’s surprised you most about acting, and the industry that surrounds it? How short everyone is. Something I’ve learnt about fame is ... It’s a magic trick. Home is ... Where my suitcase is. Which actors do you most admire? Christian Bale and Juliette Lewis. Directors you’d love to work with? Romain Gavras. What is your life mantra? Keep pushing, keep pushing, push harder.

ABBEY_Large_10 — EDUN jacket; 3.1 PHILLIP LIM top; model’s own jumper; GUCCI pants; SPECIES BY THE THOUSANDS earring; STVDIO BROOKLYN rings; AESA ring.

ABBEY_Large_03 — Abbey Lee wears ALEXANDER WANG dress and bodysuit; model’s own earring; STVDIO BROOKLYN ring; AESA ring; MANIAMANIA ring. Chris wears DSQUARED2 necklace.

ABBEY_Large_04 — Abbey Lee wears ALEXANDER WANG dress and bodysuit; MANIAMANIA necklace; STVDIO BROOKLYN bracelet. Chris wears ALPINESTARS pants and shoes; O’NEAL jumper.

ABBEY_Large_12 — Abbey Lee wears ANTHONY VACCARELLO dress; O’NEAL shoes; PAUL SMITH sunglasses; SPECIES BY THE THOUSANDS earring; MANIAMANIA rings; MATERIA PRIMA ring. Chris wears BELSTAFF pants; ALPINESTARS shoes.

ABBEY_Large_11 — OPENING CEREMONY top; ISABEL MARANT pants; SPECIES BY THE THOUSANDS earring; STVDIO BROOKLYN rings; AESA ring; PROENZA SCHOULER jacket.

“When you shoot a film you spend such a long time with the same people that you really grow to feel comfortable and truly a part of something. It’s like one big creative collective.”

ABBEY_HERO_04 — Abbey Lee wears ANNE SOFIE MADSEN jacket; OHNE TITEL top and bikini briefs; ALPINESTARS shoes. Chris wears ALPINESTARS pants and shoes; DSQUARED2 scarf.

PHOTOGRAPHY Daniella Rech
FASHION Shibon Kennedy
MODELS Abbey Lee @ Next and Chris Gooris
HAIR Renya Xydis @ The Artist Group, Cloud Nine Ambassador using Cloud Nine
MAKEUP Tamah Krinsky @ The Wall Group
STYLIST’S ASSISTANT Trudy Nelson
PRODUCTION 3 Star Productions
CASTING Kannon Rajah
RETOUCHING Ring Studio
With thanks to Leigh Crystal and Osamu Nishimura

SEE THE FULL ARTICLE IN THE CINEMA ISSUE