In 1966 Baragwanath was discovered by Auckland fashion photographer Desmond Williams and began working as a model while still at
Diocesan School for Girls. She was photographed by New Zealand photographers Williams,
Roger Donaldson and
Michael Baigent for fashion magazines including New Zealand Vogue The “Ferret” referred to Baragwanath, when she appeared in the column, as “Old Black Lips” to deter suspicion. It was axed in 2002. Baragwanath attended a party at the Rose Gardens in Parnell, Auckland, at which her friend was waitressing.
Elton John and his manager,
John Reid, were also there. The atmosphere deteriorated after Reid asked for whisky, which wasn’t available. He remonstrated with one of the organisers who offered him a glass of champagne. Reid could not be mollified. “You’re an incompetent!” he is alleged to have shouted, and threw the champagne in William's face. “I lost my temper,” Baragwanath told Metro magazine in 1987. He went on later the same night to become involved in a dispute with journalist David Wheeler which became physical. Baragwanath and Wheeler decided to press charges. Reid’s defence, that he was under extreme pressure and hadn’t slept for nights, did not impress Mr Justice McMullin, and Reid spent 21 days in Mount Eden jail. He settled out of court with Baragwanath for NZ $2,500. Baragwanath bought her first car with the proceeds. Baragwanath has worked as a columnist for the
Sunday Star Times, the
New Zealand Listener, and
Cuisine magazine. Since 2017 she has been a reviewer and occasional columnist for
North & South,
Metro magazine and
The New Zealand Listener. == Personal life ==