Speaking from Paris ahead of its Fashion Week, the 20-year-old said motherhood and life experience had matured her and prepared her for the at-times cut-throat industry. "I am more experienced in life now,"" she tells us in between castings. "I know some girls travel with modelling early; I believe we all have our own time when we are ready for things. I"m now 20 and well prepared for the challenges ahead."" Van den Dungen was dubbed a "boganista"" during her time on the 2009 season of the FOX8 reality series for her outbursts and controversial relationship with bricklayer beau Brad Saul, who was almost 10 years her senior and is now her fiance. Despite being touted as our next global catwalk sensation, her first trip to Paris was a disaster. The then 17-year-old cut short her visit and took to Facebook to criticise both the city and her former agency IMG. In 2011 the 175cm model and Saul welcomed their first child, Drake, who was born with a cleft palate and a malformed ear. Van den Dungen says he has given her newfound motivation to succeed. "Of course I am missing my son, like any mother would,"" she says. "This is my career and its success will ultimately benefit him and my family. "I would love to buy a beautiful home and help create a nice life for my boys; is that wanting too much?"" So far she has walked for Giles at London Fashion Week and Australia"s Dion Lee at last week"s International Woolmark Prize. She is now attending castings for Paris Fashion Week, which begins this week, and hopes to be booked for Balenciaga. "There are so many amazing designers in Paris it"s hard to single out -- it"s Alexander Wang"s first season with Balenciaga, so that show would be amazing.""
