Lack of work in Adelaide force model agencies to send their talent overseas.

The Royal Adelaide Show fashion parades are the latest event to be cancelled in Adelaide, following the demise of the David Jones and Myer parades.

Adelaide also lost the Harris Scarfe catalogue account late last year to Melbourne - a job that earned models up to $30,000 a year.

Agencies are sending their models to fashion parades in Hong Kong, New Zealand and Paris at a time when they are usually so busy in Adelaide they struggle to keep up with demand.

Fashion parades won't be held as part of the Royal Adelaide Show this year, due to renovations.

Finesse Models owner Brigette Mitchell said "the retail economy is down, people are not spending so (companies) are cutting back on their budgets".

"They are scared of the rising interest rates and when they are not spending, retail is down and advertising is down," she said.

"This season we lost David Jones, Myer are not doing parades, in terms of me keeping models busy, I am sending them out of this state and out of Australia."

She said she hoped this was just a cycle.

"I'm thankful that I've spent the past five years developing the overseas market because if I didn't I would have a lot of models sitting around waiting for a call. It is sad for our state."

Finesse model Emma Kirtland, 18, will model in Auckland next month and said it was a "little upsetting" that David Jones was not doing Adelaide shows but it reflected the economy.