How's this for a throwback Thursday? Gemma Ward returned to the runway after an six year hiatus to open Prada's SS15 show today, striding through the sand-covered dune set in a long black duster.

The Australian model quit fashion back in 2008 and has since focused on her acting career, appearing in films like Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and The Great Gatsby. Ward was only 20 at the time. 

Pat McGrath instagrammed this backstage shot of Ward, calling her "beautiful and iconic":

Ward is credited with ushering in an age of baby doll-like models, including Lily Cole and Vlada Roslyakova – but Ward ruled the roost between 2004 and 2008, earning $25,000 to walk the runway and fronting the first issues of Vogue China and India.

Last year, she signed with IMG Models Australia, causing the rumour mill to go into overdrive – but nothing more was announced. Until now, that is. Here's hoping Ward is here to stay.