IT'S COMMON for strangers to ask Matilda Scholz about her height.
It happens so often the 20-year-old can recall a moment from just a day earlier.
"I went to Kookai yesterday and the girl at the register was so lovely. She said, 'You're so tall. Are you an athlete? What do you do?'" Scholz said.
"I told her I played AFLW and she was so excited. I honestly get people asking about my height all the time."
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But among the models at this week's Melbourne Fashion Festival (MFF), Scholz blends right in.
"It's nice being here because everyone's so tall and it's cool to see tall girls walking the runway," she said.
Scholz joined AFLW stars Mon Conti and Sophie McKay on the runway at the Royal Exhibition Building on Monday night, alongside AFL players Isaac Quaynor, Cody Weightman and Changkuoth Jiath.
The athletes showcased designs from a collaboration between the AFL and Melbourne label Strateas Carlucci.
It was another successful MFF for the AFL following its 2025 partnership with streetwear brand, Homie.
"I think it's so cool that the AFL is collaborating with brands," Scholz said.
"Hopefully more brands get involved in the future because it gives fans different options rather than just a guernsey.
"I'm excited to see people wear the pieces and style them in their own way."
For Scholz, who studied fashion at high school, the opportunity to be part of the MFF was too good to be true.
"Honestly, this is a dream," she said.
"I wouldn't say I'm super fashionable, but I like having a style and wearing clothes in that style. I love dressing up, thinking about what I'm going to wear and presenting myself well.
"I love shopping. I went shopping yesterday at Melbourne Central, I went again this morning and I'm going after this," she joked.
The young star, who has a huge TikTok following, didn't fear tripping over on the runway in front of a crowd full of VIPs.
Instead Scholz was more concerned about forgetting the choreography.
"During rehearsals the lady running the show was like, 'Stomp, stomp the runway girls, stomp.' So we're stomping it," Scholz said.
"So I'm going shoulders back, eye-line forward and I'll make sure to take an elongated stride.
"But my biggest stress is stuffing up the choreography. But then I remember I'm a TikTok dancer — choreography is my thing!"
And of course, Scholz has some social media content planned from the experience, which surely won't disappoint her fans.
Stay tuned.
The AFL x Strateas Carlucci collaboration will be available for purchase in April 2026. Visit strateascarlucci.com to sign up for information and launch details
