The Real Deal

Satirist. Sweetheart. Saviour. Celeste Barber, who raised AU$50 million for bush fire relief, is everything right now. The actor and comedian talks Insta-fame, calling out bulls*** and getting political with Kirstie Clements, as she puts her unique spin on a selection of iconic fashion moments.

I love fashion shoots. I find them so fun,” Celeste Barber says from the makeup chair as she’s transformed for this BAZAAR portfolio in which she recreates iconic fashion images, including Kate Moss’s “Obsession for Men” campaign and Jean-Paul Goude’s portrait of Grace Jones. “Tina Fey talks about that in her book. She says that if you ever get a chance to be in a photo shoot, do it. There’s food, wind machines, hair and makeup, everyone is lovely, you look your best. As someone who isn’t a model, it’s not my natural habitat, but I love it!”

Barber’s story is a feel-good one: A relatively unknown Australian actor and comedian begins to post photographs of herself on Instagram, gently poking fun at the often risible world of posturing models and celebrities. Funny and irreverent, she quickly gains legions of fans; five years later, she has 6.7 million followers, has starred on magazine covers, and toured her one-woman show in theatres across the US, Europe and Australia, culminating in a sold-out show at Sydney Opera House’s Concert Hall last year.