Though the runway contest’s title refers to the diverse origins of the contestants teetering down the runway, in matters of design and decor, this year’s Supermodel of the World event had a decidedly Australian focus. Matthew Hunt of Ford Models teamed up with G’Day USA, the organizers of Australia Week (and one of the event’s underwriters), to bring an Aussie angle to Ford’s yearly runway competition for up-and-coming models. “I wanted an event that expressed Australian culture without being grotesquely tourism-board,” Hunt said.Inspired by examples of Aboriginal art but hoping to remain culturally sensitive, Hunt stripped the complex images down to painted lines and dots and worked with Donna Paitchel of Summit Productions to create the brightly colored patterns that covered the walls at Skylight. The event production company also worked with the Australian government to arrange a solemn performance by indigenous Australian dancers in native dress, which opened the show.
The fashion show featured the collections of six rising Australian clothing designers, modeled by 44 gazellelike teenagers (each representing a different country) strutting to DJ Javier Peral’s Gwen Stefani-packed set list. When it came time to announce the winners, Aussie heritage didn’t seem to bring any favors from the judges: Models from the Netherlands, Belarus, Denmark, Canada, and Brazil took home the coveted Ford modeling contracts.
—Sara Neuffer
Posted 01.24.07
Photo: Courtesy of Ford Models (dancers)
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The fashion show featured the collections of six rising Australian clothing designers, modeled by 44 gazellelike teenagers (each representing a different country) strutting to DJ Javier Peral’s Gwen Stefani-packed set list. When it came time to announce the winners, Aussie heritage didn’t seem to bring any favors from the judges: Models from the Netherlands, Belarus, Denmark, Canada, and Brazil took home the coveted Ford modeling contracts.
—Sara Neuffer
Posted 01.24.07
Photo: Courtesy of Ford Models (dancers)
Related Stories
Ford Modeling Contest Is Stark and Food-Free
Fashion Week’s Rocking, Writhing Entertainment