Inara Shi - Queensland Model

Welcome to Baddass Kulture this year is your 15th Anniversary as a model, so first of all congratulations. Did you ever feel you would stay in the game this long, and what are the main things you feel you have achieved over the years?

Honestly, if you’d told me 15 years ago that I’d still be doing this, I would’ve laughed… and probably run the other way. When I first started, just the thought of being in front of people made me feel nauseous. My first ever gig was a catwalk event that ended in a full-blown anxiety attack. Fast forward to now, and I somehow feel more comfortable naked than dressed. hahaha I’ve achieved more than I ever dreamed of. Modelling overseas to working for Playboy, which was always a huge goal of mine. Somewhere along the way, I turned what felt like a wild fantasy into a real career. These days I’ve semi-retired from the industry as I chase an academic career. But I won’t ever fully leave.

So, let’s go back to your first photo shoot and tell us the story of how you started and what your first shoot was like?

Oh, my first photoshoot… honestly, it’s a bit of a blur. But I do remember my first paid shoot. It was for an automotive company, and they had me posing on a burnout car in the middle of what felt like a heatwave. I definitely didn’t feel sexy at all. The photos turned out horrible but the car’s owner absolutely loved them, so I guess that’s what counts! My first real modelling job was at Fashion Week. I was 17, and the year before I’d actually been asked to walk in the same show but had a full-blown anxiety attack and couldn’t do it. The next year, I decided it was time to face the fears. No meltdown this time.

Apart from being mainly a lingerie model over the years, tell us about one of your favourite themed shoots you did, what was it and how did the shoot go?

I love a good themed shoot, Halloween is my favourite holiday. It’s basically my excuse to live out all my cosplay fantasies and get a little creative. This year’s Halloween shoot actually shot straight to the top of my favourites. I decided to face one of my biggest fears, which is clowns. I’m petrified of them. A friend did my makeup as this pastel pink, flirty little clown. And honestly, I was not scared. I think that shoot might’ve cured my clown phobia hahaha

From doing a lot of lingerie shoots you moved over to working art nude. Was this something that you were comfortable moving to or was it a transition of being confident and comfortable with it? What is the craziest thing that has happened to you while on set of a photo shoot?

Oh, that’s a tough one. I have had my fair share of wild moments on set! Probably the most unforgettable was in Bali. I was shooting with the Bali Holden Owners Club. Twenty-plus classic Holdens lined up on a busy street. I caused a car accident. There was so much staring, honking, and general chaos that a few tourists ended up rear-ending each other while watching the shoot. Then there was the time we were shooting a lingerie shoot in this abandoned warehouse. We knew we shouldn’t have been there. Halfway through the shoot, the police showed up, insisting we were filming porn. I swear it was all very PG. though explaining that to a group of officers while wearing lingerie was definitely… an experience.

What sort of an impact did being part of the Playboy franchise have on your modeling career?

I’ve been working with Playboy for about two years now, and while it’s definitely not the same since the Hugh Hefner passed away RIP. It’s still such an iconic name to be part of. It didn’t completely change my career overnight, but it definitely opened a lot of doors. Suddenly, more photographers wanted to collaborate, and I started connecting with so many incredible Playmates from around the world. The exclusivity and opportunities that come with the Playboy franchise are pretty amazing, and being part of that legacy feels like a real milestone.

Talk us through going onstage fully nude at Sexpo Australia, Melbourne for some audience Life Drawing. How did you feel standing there nude, exposed to a big audience while people drew you and others just watched, took photos or videoed.

Sexpo Melbourne 2023 was definitely a memorable one. I was working with Wild Entertainment, who do these amazing art nude live drawing shows. One of our acts involved getting up on stage completely nude while the audience drew us. The first show, we thought we’d spice it up and hold these sexy poses. It sounded sexy in theory… until we realised holding those positions for ten minutes in heels was basically a full-body workout. After that, we ditched the heels and just stood there, which still drew a huge crowd. It was never racking, but luckily, we had some liquid courage. I was up there with two of my friends, and the crowd loved it; the MC kept everyone engaged. The drawings we got back? Let’s just say some were masterpieces… and some were comedy gold.

Over the years Sexpo Australia played a big part in your modeling and connecting with various people. What were be some of the main highlights for you.

My first Sexpo was back in 2013, and honestly, I had no idea it would become such a huge part of my career. Since the events kicked off again post-COVID in 2022, I’ve worked at every single one and I absolutely love it. It’s like a big, wild family reunion for our industry. You get to network, reconnect with friends, meet fans, and just soak up that incredible energy you can only find at Sexpo. Every event feels like an adventure. I’ve been naked on the main stage, done live Shibari shows, been locked in cages, whipped, and stripped. The highlights aren’t just the shows themselves, though. It’s the people. I’ve met some amazing artists, models, and even a few celebrities along the way. Sexpo has really shaped the way my career looks today. I’m already counting down to the next one.

Let’s now move over to your tattoos, when did you get your first tattoo, describe it and have you added anything to the tattoo?

My first tattoo was a bit of a rite of passage. I got it when I turned 18. It’s a pentagram on my lower back… yes, the classic tramp stamp haha It was the thing todo on the 2000’s I’m pagan, so the pentagram actually holds deep spiritual meaning for me. I’ve never added to it or changed it. it’s still exactly as it was back then.

Let’s look at your tattoos in more detail starting with your left arm which looks like it’s made up of characters from Alice In Wonderland. Please explain it in detail?

My left arm is a full Alice in Wonderland sleeve. it’s this beautiful mix of Lewis Carroll’s classic illustrations, the original Disney movie and Tim Burton’s darker twisted version. I’ve always been obsessed with Alice in Wonderland. it’s one of my favourite Disney stories, and I’m a big Tim Burton fan My tattoo artist is amazing at the Tim Burton-esque style, so the detail is incredible.

Moving down your left leg is a baby elephant with a compass and map on its stomach. That’s a bit different?

My left leg tattoo is this a toy elephant with a world map on him, and honestly, it’s super close to my heart. It’s represents my childhood. In my childhood, we also travelled and were always on the move, hopping between countries. It a vert personal tattoo and a lot of people think its super cute and ask about it.

Then in the middle of your back you have a third eye tattoo, should I read anything into this?

My back tattoo isn’t finished yet. It will be a full back piece but I’ve hit a bit of a creative block. I’ve always wanted a third eye as it is spiritual. Now here’s the hilarious part: I was dating a guy, well, technically, I was dating one of his best friends, who, spoiler alert, had a crush on me. Somehow, he decided it was a great idea to pay for my entire eye tattoo, no idea why. Guessing in hopes to get laid maybe? hahahaha

One tattoo that seems out of place is the scribbly drawing of Shrek’s head and the words “Beware Shrek”

Ah, my infamous Shrek tattoo. Its such as ice breaker. “I have Shrek on my ass!” hahaha. It actually started as a nickname a housemate gave me back in the day. Nothing mean-spirited and over the years it turned into this running joke. Honestly, I love it. It’s had publishers and photographers editing it out or cover it for shoots, but I think it’s one of my best tattoos. It’s hilarious, unexpected, and such a perfect icebreaker.

You have had many more tattoos since the last time we chatted about them. Care to go through some of your more current tattoos and explain some of their meanings?

I’ve definitely added a few more tattoos since we last chatted, but the most significant one has to be my half-sleeve on my right arm. It’s still a work in progress. It’s a 1950s military pinup doll, and it’s super personal to me because of my time in the Australian Army. I wanted to honour that part of my life while also indulging my love for pinup art. I’ve done a lot of pinup modelling over the years, especially military pinup, so this was the perfect tattoo. There wasn’t much inspiration in Australian military pinup, so I drew from American pinup style. My girl has a Jessica Rabbit-style face, rocking a classic pinup pose but wearing Australian camo. The top and pants are ripped to show off the curves and her boobs. Surrounding her are poppies with the rising sun behind it. It’s still a work in progress, but I’m obsessed with it.

What’s the next chapter for you, what have you got planned for 2026?

Honestly, I’m not entirely sure what the next chapter holds. Like I mentioned before, I’ve semi-retired from the industry. The past years I’ve been fully immersed in my PhD dissertation and building my academic career, so I’ve stepped back from a lot of modelling and industry work. That said, I’ll never completely step away. I still follow what truly excites me. Sexpo events and industry shows are definitely top of my list, and I still love creating art in all its forms. I haven’t even mapped out next year yet. I’m just seeing where it takes me.

Nov 2025