• Three young faces, one Sri Lankan dream
• Raphael, Isadora, and Theo Swannell on growing up in modelling, pursuing their passions, and preparing to represent Sri Lanka at Face of Asia Junior 2026 in South Korea

For many young people, growing up involves discovering their interests, developing their talents, and gradually figuring out what they might want to do with their lives. Some find their passion in music, others in sport, art, or performance, while many spend their teenage years exploring different possibilities. 

For three siblings from Kandy, this journey of discovery has included an unexpected introduction to the world of fashion and modelling, opening doors to experiences both at home and overseas.

Having appeared in campaigns for several leading Sri Lankan brands, Raphael (15), Isadora (13), and Theo (12) Swannell are now preparing for their biggest international opportunity yet as they head off to represent Sri Lanka at Face of Asia Junior 2026, taking place in Gangwon Province, South Korea from 18 to 22 November.

Face of Asia is Asia’s largest global model-hunt and fashion competition held as part of the annual Asia Model Festival.

For the Swannells, who were born and raised in Kandy, the opportunity represents an important milestone in a journey which began almost entirely by chance. It is also an opportunity to experience a new country, meet young people from different backgrounds, and represent the country they call home. 

“We were all born in Kandy, it’s our mum Indeevari’s home town, and we have grown up here, so it’s a real honour to represent Sri Lanka,” the siblings shared.

While the prospect of an international competition is undoubtedly exciting, the experience promises a few other firsts as well.

“We’ve also never seen snow before, and the competition is being held at a ski resort, so it’s going to be a whole new experience for us,” they said, adding that Isadora was particularly keen to experience South Korea’s K-pop culture, while all three were looking forward to trying authentic Korean food.

An unexpected beginning

The siblings’ introduction to modelling came in 2020, shortly before the Covid-19 pandemic brought much of the world to a standstill.

A chance encounter with the owner of a production company, who was holidaying in Sri Lanka at the time, led to an invitation to participate in a global campaign for French swimwear brand Vilebrequin. The shoot took place in Weligama and Galle, and although none of the children had previous modelling experience, the opportunity proved to be the beginning of something much bigger. 

“We loved it, and our pictures were used in shops worldwide. We saw ourselves in London, Tokyo, and Seoul,” they recalled.

Seeing their photographs displayed internationally was an unexpected experience for the young siblings, and one which encouraged them to continue exploring modelling.

Over the following years, the three went on to work with a range of Sri Lankan brands, including Cool Planet, NoLimit, Libera, Atlas, Thilakma, Kelly Felder, and Maliban, among others. They have now collectively participated in more than 40 shoots, building experience across different types of campaigns and productions.

Their work with Cool Planet proved particularly memorable, with the siblings seeing themselves featured prominently in promotional material displayed inside and outside the brand’s stores.

Theo also appeared in a television advertisement for Sustagen, while another highlight was a campaign for Amari Hotels in the Maldives, which involved an experience aboard yachts, something he remembers particularly fondly.

Beyond the novelty of seeing themselves in advertisements, the siblings said that the opportunity to work with different creative teams had been one of the most rewarding aspects of modelling. “What we enjoy most is meeting the creative teams, and then it’s always exciting to see the final pictures.”

Over time, modelling has also taught them about the demands of professional work, particularly the importance of discipline, patience, and maintaining focus throughout long shooting days. “We first had to learn how to be professional and stay focused for a whole day,” they explained.

Theo, being the youngest when they began, initially found full-day shoots particularly challenging. With experience, however, he has grown more comfortable with the demands of the industry.

The siblings also feel their exposure to commercial productions has given them an understanding of how businesses operate, something they value beyond modelling itself.

Keeping it in the family

While modelling is often viewed as an individual pursuit, the Swannell siblings have had the advantage of experiencing much of their journey together. Working alongside one another has helped make unfamiliar environments more comfortable, particularly when meeting new teams or navigating the demands of a professional shoot. 

“Doing it together makes it much more fun. Being siblings, we of course know each other so well that we’re relaxed on set, and we look out for each other, as well as give honest feedback,” they shared.

Raphael, as the eldest, admitted to feeling a degree of responsibility towards his younger siblings, particularly Theo. “I try to help Theo feel relaxed, especially on long days or with a new team,” he explained.

At the same time, he credited Isadora with being particularly organised and attentive to the practical details of a shoot. “Isadora herself is very focused on all the planning and activities on a shoot day, so I know I can always rely on her to back me up and to tell me what’s going on,” he said.

Their working relationship is also shaped by the familiarity and humour of ordinary sibling life. “On set we joke around a lot between shots, but when the camera is on we’re totally focused,” Raphael added.

Theo similarly enjoys having his older siblings alongside him, although he acknowledged the inevitable sibling rivalry. “The three of us have a good vibe, although of course there’s the normal rough and tumble of sibling rivalry,” he said.

Away from the cameras, however, school remains the priority for all three. With modelling commitments requiring time and preparation, the siblings have learnt to organise their schedules around their studies and other activities. They also credit their school and teachers for supporting them as they pursue opportunities outside the classroom.

“School always has to be our top priority, and we’re all devoted to our studies,” they emphasised.

More than modelling

Although modelling has become an important part of their lives, the siblings are equally enthusiastic about pursuing their individual creative interests, particularly music.

Raphael began learning guitar during the Covid-19 lockdowns, finding a positive outlet during an otherwise difficult period.

“I play both acoustic and electric guitar, and I’ve loved learning from my teacher, Clifford. He is a real inspiration and both an excellent guitarist as well as a brilliant teacher,” he shared. His musical interests lean towards older artists and bands, including The Shadows, The Beatles, and Dire Straits, alongside blues music.

Music has also become another shared family activity, with the siblings forming a band featuring Raphael on guitar, Isadora on vocals, and Theo on drums.

Raphael and Isadora previously appeared on ‘Sri Lanka’s Got Talent,’ with a TikTok video of their performance attracting more than five million views. Although they did not progress particularly far in the competition, the experience has left them interested in pursuing further musical opportunities.

Isadora, meanwhile, has developed a growing presence on social media, particularly through her Sinhala-language ‘Get Ready With Me’ videos on TikTok. Having started posting these videos in April this year, she found herself attracting considerable attention after one titled ‘Get Ready With Me, Get To Know Me’ went viral. 

“I guess I became quite well known in the country because of it. I do find often that people I meet randomly ask to have a picture with me,” she shared.

Isadora has also collaborated with brands including Spa Ceylon and Evangeline, although she views content creation primarily as an enjoyable activity rather than a defined career path. “For me, it’s just a light-hearted bit of fun on the side.”

Her interests also extend to beauty, makeup, painting, and nail art, in which she has already earned several diplomas.

Theo, meanwhile, has developed an interest in piano, an instrument all three siblings have begun learning this year. Asked about their musical abilities, he was quick to offer his assessment. “I’m pretty sure that I’m the best piano player in our family!”

Despite their growing experience in fashion and other creative pursuits, none of the three is in a hurry to settle on a particular career. For now, they are content to explore different opportunities, develop their skills, and see where their interests take them. 

“Right now we don’t know where it will lead us, but we’re open to modelling in the future,” they shared.

Flying the Sri Lankan flag

Their immediate focus, however, is Face of Asia Junior 2026. Having worked extensively with Kosh Hewage and the team at The Agency Sri Lanka, which represents them in Sri Lanka, the siblings were nominated for the international competition and subsequently accepted by the selection panel in South Korea. 

“We were so happy when we were told it might be possible, and then we were truly overjoyed when we heard that we had been accepted by the panel in South Korea,” they recalled.

For three young people whose modelling journey began with an unexpected opportunity on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, the prospect of travelling to South Korea as representatives of their country marks another significant step.

Yet their enthusiasm is as much about the experience as the competition itself. From encountering snow for the first time to experiencing a different culture and meeting other young participants, the trip promises memories beyond the runway.

“More than anything, going to South Korea is going to be a huge new adventure,” the siblings said.

As they prepare for the competition, the siblings are also hoping for support from Sri Lankans, particularly with online voting forming part of the event. “There will also be online voting, so we’d love the support of Sri Lanka as we try our best to make our country proud.”

For now, the three siblings are looking forward to their next adventure together, taking a little piece of Kandy with them as they represent Sri Lanka on an international stage.