Bermuda beauties invited to London Fashion Week
Three rising Bermudian models were among just five models invited back to London Fashion Week after making their debuts in the British fashion world last September.LFW is an apparel trade show held in London every February and September. It is considered one of the ‘Big Four’ fashion weeks, along with New York Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week.Top Model Worldwide winner Deandra Brangman and Top Model 2012 contestants Katherine Arnfield and Julia Lines have been invited to this month’s A La Mode event, according to London-based Top Model Management, which organised their September debuts.“I am absolutely delighted that I have been able to secure a second season for Deandra, Julia and Katie to walk at LFW,” said Operations Director at Top Model and LFW casting director Geoff Cox. “All three have great potential and, hopefully, this is where all of their hard work will start to pay off. Myself and my team had an amazing time in Bermuda last summer and were made so welcome. It is a wonderful country with lovely people and I am delighted to be further developing the association between Top Model and Bermuda.”Miss Brangman said she was very excited to be invited back to LFW.“I can’t wait to see the new fashions,” said Miss Brangman.“Being invited back to model in LFW in February is very exciting for me,” said Miss Lines. “The LFW show that I took part in September of last year was eye-opening and I learned so much about professional modelling. I am looking forward to going back next month to learn even more so that I will be better prepared for when I represent Bermuda in the Top Model Worldwide competition in March. It is also great to have Deandra and Katie going as well.”Miss Arnfield also said that participating in LFW had been an amazing experience, and she is now looking at the fashion industry for possible career options.“The fashion world is highly competitive and I found it fascinating working with such talented designers,” she said. “It was an honour and a real boost to my confidence, to be selected by various fashion designers to model their creations. The real thrill is to appear on the cat walk, representing Bermuda, before the world’s fashion press in London, at such an important event in the industry.”Dawn Zuill, owner of Daisy’s, which sponsors the models, said the news validated the efforts the models had made and justified the faith that Top Model Management had in Bermudians.“Becoming a successful international model requires more than having a certain look,” said Mrs Zuill. “It requires hard work, dedication and a professional approach. Deandra, Katie and Julia embody that, and this can be a springboard for them to a successful future career.”After the February 17 to 18 A La Mode shows, Miss Arnfield and Miss Lines will take part in the Top Model contest in March in London, along with Kalena Astwood. In the March contest, Miss Astwood and Miss Lines will represent Bermuda, while Miss Arnfield, whose parents are from the United Kingdom, will take part in the Top Model UK contest, which runs in conjunction with Top Model Worldwide.“This promises to be a great showcase for Bermuda after Deandra’s great success last year and should help to Bermuda on the map,” said Mrs Zuill. “Bermuda is a beautiful place with beautiful people and taking part in events like this should be a boost to Bermuda’s tourism as well as an opportunity for Bermudians to shine on the world stage. Just as Gina Swainson put Bermuda on the map when she was Miss World, so these young Bermudians can do so through modelling internationally.”