About Colm

Colm’s Story so far

I am originally from small town Ireland (Charleville – near Limerick), where nothing interesting ever seemed to happen – and I’ve always had an interest in a more creative life than what seemed available around me when I was growing up

So after finishing school & working in a number of odd jobs – I moved to London at 17 to explore a bigger world.

London was a hub of creative energy at the time – the centre of style, fashion, music & art..
This is where I first fell into modelling – along with the London nightlife scene, and this life that I discovered there was the life that I wanted…

Old Work

Modelling Shots

I then travelled across the US & Europe, first to New York, then back across Europe, looking to continue to explore the world while working in modelling, along with what creative jobs I could find along the way (along with plenty of crappy little jobs inbetween).

But things were really taking off…

I was in negotiations to join Take2 – which was the biggest modelling agency in the world at the time – along with regularly mixing with many of the major fashion, style & design – such as the current editor & chief of Conde Naste (Vogue publisher) ; the publicity officer for Gucci; editor & fashion director of Vivianne Westwood, Simon Foxto, one of great stylists – and this was the world that I was comfortably entering.

This is the point where I seemed to be on top of the world, and everything was looking good for the future.

This – at the point when everything was looking great – was when things started to collapse, and I didn’t know why at the time.

I had gone back to London, and from on top of the world I went to living on the streets within 3 months.

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So I went back to Ireland to escape to some idea of safety – trying to get back to a different mindset and lifestyle.

However it didn’t seem to work enough – and my parents worrying about my condition ended up sectioning me – where I was diagnosed as schizophrenic.

When I got out I needed to get away – looking for a change of scenery where I could start anew and find something interesting and engaging…

Maybe I couldn’t continue as I was in the modelling & fashion industry – but I hoped to pursue something in photography or graphic design

—

And so I went to a big city far away – Sydney!

This is where I both found some great success – meeting and engaging with many of the great fashion & style people in Sydney, engaging & working with many of the top style & fashion people around

– but my mental health was very inconsistent, and there just didn’t seem to be any real help & support at the time, and so I just continued to spiral out of control
– getting into violent altercations (in spite of not being a violent person before or after), drugs, alcohol, extreme nightlife
– all things that likely worsened my condition..

—

I was constantly getting into trouble and things looking very dark…

But I had the luck of getting help from some well connected people who took up my cause, and they managed to organise some genuine rehabilitation for me
– getting treatment for drug & alcohol,
– organising suitable employment (p/t graphic design at local magazines),
– and getting regular psychiatric help.

However, in spite of the temporary improvement, I began to get panic attacks – especially in formal settings (like work, meetings in regular settings, etc.) – and this caused major problems in my rehabilitation.

I tried various forms of medication, different psychiatrists, health regimens, etc.
– but nothing seemed to stay stable for long, and the cycle kept repeating.

And so my life seems to have got stuck in permanent hold – always fighting to get back to where I started, but always on the back foot.

However, in the last few years I have finally been getting regular, steady support through the NDIS
– much of which was organised by my now regular psychiatrist, Dr Deepinder Miller
– and through my main support provider Windgap (although I have been lucky with help from many others at Mission Australia, St Vincent de Paul, etc.).

This has allowed me to focus of my art & creative interests
– giving me the motivation to follow and freedom to pursue my creative vision,
– as well as allowing me to interact with the community around me much more successfully.

—

Now I am working on a painting for the Archibald prize,
doing photographic sessions for people & groups,
and starting to help out in putting together some short films

And these are things that I can pursue now that I have the help and support to do so.

New Portfolio Shots