Models Vie for the Eye of Country's Top Designers

Hundreds of Models Vie for the Eye of Country's Top Designers

Hundreds of carefully coiffed models braved torrential rain on Saturday for a chance to grace the boards of the catwalk during L'Oréal New Zealand Fashion Week in October.

More than 400 hopefuls turned out to the casting at the Hilton Hotel to parade in front of an audience of about 40 designers and their production teams.

The audition gave the design teams the opportunity to observe New Zealand's best models in one place at one time and select which have the right look for their shows.

"All the models are beautiful but we're looking for models with the ability to project personality on call," Francis Hooper of World says.

Managing director of L'Oréal New Zealand Fashion Week Pieter Stewart says that the challenge for designers is to choose models who match the unique look of the garments and style of the show which they have created.

"Bringing all of the models together in one place makes it so much easier on designers and is a feature unique to New Zealand's fashion week," Stewart says.

"The model search is great because it is a one-stop-shop where you get to sit down and see everyone in one morning. You reacquaint yourself with old friends and also see the new faces," Hooper says.

L'Oréal New Zealand Fashion Week needs more than 200 models for its 30-plus shows spread over four days between October 20 and 23.

"The casting was a huge success and we are confident that designers now have models which are a good match between the garment and person modelling it," Stewart says.

Eight of the country's top modelling agencies put forward their best talent for the casting which started at 9:00am and stretched through into the afternoon.

Strutting alongside Kiwi models of international repute on Saturday were many new faces hoping to put their best foot forward.

With just one opportunity to catch the eye of designers with their individual style and walking ability the models who turned out braved not only the bad weather, but also stunning competition.

Note to editors: Images from the audition are available on application to Emma Norton at media@nzfashionweek.com

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