Montana Cox bares all

At the recent David Jones extravaganza starring Karlie Kloss and her former fellow colleague Jess Gomes, Montana Cox sat front row smiling in the face of 'brave girl' stares from designers and fellow models upset by the expiry of her lucrative contract with the department store last year.

You can save the pity pouts for someone else because the winner of Australia’s Next Top Model’s seventh cycle has just been named as the new face and body of underwear giant Bendon Lingerie, following in the footsteps of Heidi Klum and Elle Macpherson.

"I was in New York when I got the call about doing the campaign," Montana tells Style. "To follow on from Elle and Heidi is just amazing."

Montana Cox for Bendon Lingerie. Image: Nicole Bentley/Bendon 

The impressive gig means that Montana can now exhale, with the 23-year-old admitting to uncertainty when her long-running stint with David Jones came to an end.

"I was really nervous and I wondered whether I would ever work again," Montana says. "But life after David Jones has been really incredible."

Now the model who has worked with Christian Dior, Kenzo, Givenchy and Chanel has nerves of a a different kind, with lingerie modelling demanding a greater degree of physical commitment than walking the runway in a Bianca Spender jumpsuit.

Montana Cox at the David Jones season launch in Sydney on February 1, 2017. Image: Getty   

"Underwear requires a different approach. You really need to know your angles when you’re working with the photographer. Throwing in a few exercises before the shoot also helps. You definitely do a few more abdominal exercises."

The naturally lean Melbourne woman, who currently calls New York home, has another reason for you not to pity her.

"My body responds pretty quickly to exercise," she says. "I’m a bit like a boy like that."

The new Bendon collection is available in Myer, selected boutiques and online at bendonlingerie.com. Bendon lingerie starts at $44.95 for a bra and $19.95 for briefs.