The Broadmeadows teenager who has taken the fashion world by storm had offered to appear at his home-town festival for a reduced fee but his overtures were rejected several times by organisers, insiders say. ''There were sponsors, there were stylists, there were publicity and media people who all wanted Andrej because he's so hot virtually everywhere,'' an industry source said. ''But, for some reason, he was fobbed off. Who knows why?''
Pejic's Melbourne agent, Matthew Anderson, confirmed the supermodel would have been available to fly from Paris and would have been thrilled to walk on his home-town's catwalks after such a triumphant year overseas. He would have also been willing to negotiate a peppercorn fee. ''It would have made perfect sense,'' Anderson said. ''He was ready. But that window finally closed 10 days ago. Now he's booked elsewhere.''According to industry sources, the possibility of Pejic walking, and even being the ''face'' of the festival before actor Melissa George was appointed, had been the subject of discussion between his agency and festival organisers since late last year. ''Maybe they heard I don't get out of bed for less than $10,'' Pejic joked from Spain, where he is shooting a major fashion campaign for his typical €5000-a-day ($A6800) fee. ''Or they might have thought I was a distraction and wanted to keep their event more local.''
There was some speculation among industry sources that Pejic's strikingly androgynous look was considered inappropriate for the festival but creative director Grant Pearce denied that. ''He is an amazing phenomenon,'' he said. ''I saw him walk in [menswear shows] in Milan and I'm well acquainted with his success. But it also has to fit in to what the festival's about.''
Pearce claimed he was unaware Pejic had been offered to the festival for a peppercorn fee.