Demi Hughes: On Her Own Terms
“I define femininity as leaning into the softer, more vulnerable parts of ourselves — but also where there’s an element of fun and play.”
Text: VIONNE Magazine | Photographer: PJ Harrison (Website)
Model: Demi Hughes | Makeup Artist: Hannah Carson
Discipline, Dreams & Defining Femininity: A Conversation with Demi Hughes
Whether she’s walking the streets of Paris for a high-profile editorial shoot or pushing herself through a week of gym sessions, Demi Hughes brings focus, versatility, and vision to every step of her journey. In just a few years, she’s gone from reaching out to photographers she admired to being booked for some of their most exciting projects — including a full-day Paris shoot that became a personal turning point. Now, fresh off a feature in VOGUE and with major brand campaigns on the horizon, Demi speaks to VIONNE about challenging beauty standards, embracing vulnerability, and manifesting her dream career.
Interview with Demi Hughes
VIONNE: From Cyprus to Milan and Paris, your modeling journey has taken you to some stunning destinations. Is there a project or location that stands out as especially unforgettable — and what made it so meaningful?
Demi: I’d have to say my first job booked in Paris! It was my first visit to Paris in February earlier this year, I fell in love with the city within five minutes of being there. It was an amazing day spent on a full day styled shoot in different stunning locations, with one of my favourite photographers to work with. The whole shoot was for commercial and editorial work, and as a pre-shoot location scouting and masterclasses workshop for photography, and it was really special for me because I’d reached out to that photographer in August last year, quite nervous, as he’s a really successful commercial photographer and I’d wanted to test with him for my portfolio and to be considered for his abroad workshops and masterclasses training, so being selected for the Paris job was a huge moment.
VIONNE: The fashion world still often clings to narrow definitions of femininity. How do you personally define “feminine” — and how does that definition come to life in your work?
Demi: I love this question! I would define feminine as leaning into the softer more vulnerable parts of ourselves and things that show a softer or more delicate side, but also where there’s an element of fun and play. I’d say it’s important for models to be able to convey both a soft feminine look or feel to a shoot, or a stronger and bolder perception, which could be defined as more masculine. So I think I bring this to life in my work by allowing myself to feel into the concept more and try new expressions and poses, and actually feeling vulnerable in myself in pushing myself out of my comfort zone.
VIONNE: Your presence commands attention — from your strong poses to your athletic frame. Have you faced any challenges breaking through traditional beauty standards, and how did you navigate them?
Demi: Firstly, thank you! I think every model faces a challenge in breaking into any part of the industry where you don’t meet the requirements that are so strict in traditional standards. Mine was for catwalk, I’m 5’8 so not as tall as usual runway model height, but I just aimed to showcase an ability to carry runway modelling well through my work in showing high fashion and confidence and believed I would get it. I think for anything you want to achieve you have to just believe in yourself and then others will too!
VIONNE: How does your fitness journey influence your mindset as a model? Are there lessons from the gym that translate into how you carry yourself on set or in life?
Demi: I definitely apply lessons I’ve learnt from being consistently in a gym and fitness regime for about seven years to my modelling career. I’d say the biggest lesson is the discipline and focus a long term fitness regime gives. I also feel more confident and prepared for shoots when I’ve hit all my targets for the weeks workouts and cardio plans.
VIONNE: Being featured in VOGUE is already a huge milestone — what’s next? Is there a dream collaboration, destination, or new direction you’re currently manifesting?
Demi: I’m always manifesting big things and aiming for something special! I absolutely love the industry and feel so lucky to be where I am, but I always want to aim big, so I’ve currently got two publications for big things waiting for release, but I’m currently manifesting a big brand shoot somewhere that looks like paradise, like Bali or Hawaii. I recently found out I got booked for a big brand I’ve had on my vision board since the start so looking forward to that!
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