Posted on: 02/01/2013

Models vie to be face of Fashion Week


ONE of these long-limbed beauties could be the model that puts the Gold Coast fashion industry on the map. The QT Fashion Week & Awards on the Gold Coast will begin in April but what is a fashion week without a face? Natalie Sole, Jordan Burridge, Arden Vail, Ellisha Lock and Ashlee Anne Scotland have put their best heel forward and are vying for the chance to front the inaugural fashion extravaganza. QTFWA organiser Micheala Fitzgerald said the stakes were high when it came to finding the right woman to be the face of the event. "We are looking for a girl with a healthy look who has confidence and style," she said. "The right girl will need to have a fresh face and a natural look. "She will embody the whole event and be the brand ambassador." Ms Fitzgerald said more than 30 models have so far applied for the role. "There is some tough competition and a few new faces I haven"t seen around," she said. The model judged the face of QTFWA will shoot the campaign for the event and open the runway shows. Ellisha Lock, 17, from Robina, said fronting the Fashion Week would be a dream come true. "It would be such great exposure and a great platform to kick start my modelling career," she said. "I have a different look -- my mum is African and Middle Eastern -- so hopefully that helps me stand out." Ms Fitzgerald said she wants the event to embody Gold Coast style. "The Coast is growing up and isn"t just about bikinis and beaches any more," she said. "It will be a quirky and off-beat event with sophistication and style." Ms Fitzgerald has hand-picked emerging talent to showcase their collections and says more established fashion designers will be announced in the coming weeks. She says the awards side of the event will highlight the who"s who of the fashion industry. There will be awards for best up-and-coming designer, best swimwear designer and best established designer. QTFWA will be held at QT Gold Coast Hotel in Surfers Paradise from April 22-28.