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DON'T be fooled by their lithe figures. Over the past three weeks these Aussie models ate New York, swallowed London and chewed up Milan. And they are hungry for more, with Paris for dessert next week.

The 2008 fashion circuit will go down as the year Australian models reigned supreme, treading a catwalk worn down by the likes of the "veteran" expat clothes horse Gemma Ward, who after five years and at the tender age of 20 has all but retired from the runway world with about $10 million in the bank to concentrate on her Hollywood career.

In her wake are the Australians Abbey Lee Kershaw, Catherine McNeil, Jessica Gomes, Alice Burdeu, Tiah Eckhardt, Skye Stracke, Vanessa Milde , Miranda Kerr, Nicole Trunfio and Alexandra Agoston, who have become the toast of the notoriously fickle international modelling world, some being paid $60,000 for a single parade while others are taking home $500,000 pay cheques from some of the world's biggest fashion names.

"I think it has become easier for Australian models since Gemma's success … I guess the international market just takes more notice of the girls coming out of Australia now," says the boss of Chic Models, Kathy Ward, who has watched many flourish in the northern hemisphere in recent weeks.

While the likes of the lingerie babe Kerr epitomise the image of sun-kissed, voluptuous Aussie beauty made famous by Elle Macpherson two decades ago, it is on the runway that Australian models are being noticed. In the flesh they stand head and shoulders above "normal" girls, moving their freakishly long limbs with a distinct awkwardness.

But on the catwalk and under the intense spotlights of a fashion show they are the thoroughbreds of modelling.

McNeil was quickly booked for more than 30 shows at Milan and Paris fashion weeks, which makes her one of the hottest models in the world right now. Last year she worked exclusively for six months with the fashion photographer Mario Testino.

Kershaw, who like McNeil won the Girlfriend magazine cover girl title and a modelling contract with Chic Models in Sydney, had 29 runway shows in New York. On Thursday she scored a Gucci coup in Milan, being signed to walk exclusively for Gucci.

The Herald fashion writer Kellie Hush said she might not be earning the estimated $50,000-$60,000 McNeil is paid per show yet, but a deal taking a model off the runway for a Milan season could be worth $500,000.