Teenager Chloe selected for Top Model showdown
By Aura McMenamin
A 16-year-old from Tallaght is hoping to take the top spot in a national modelling competition this month.
Chloe O Faolain, who lives in Brookfield, was selected to be among 50 finalists in the Top Model Ireland Grand Finals who will compete in the Citywest Hotel on Saturday, January 20.
The Tallaght teen, who has no previous modelling experience, hopes to be a positive role model for local girls.
Chloe, applied for Top Model Ireland in September and was selected for the grand finals after an interview with the organisers.
She said: “I found out that I made the grand finals in November, three days after my 16th birthday.”
For Chloe, the catwalk, photoshoots and media interviews are all new to her – but she credits the team behind Top Model Ireland agency, founded by sisters Audrey O’Neill and Kate Sullivan, as making the experience positive.
She said: “I decided to apply because I needed a confidence boost at the time…I thought it would be nerve-racking before I started, but they make you feel so comfortable and not awkward.”
Chloe, who was recently photographed as part of the competition at the 18-century building Wonderful Barn in County Kildare, said the photo shoots are her favourite part: “I love the way you can capture a moment that is hard to get again. You can show your personality. With catwalk, it’s more about showing off the clothes.”
Finalists will partake in their second round of model bootcamp on Saturday, January 13 where they will learn how to perfect their walks, turns, studio makeup and more.
The grand final will involve three portions: self-styling, lingerie/swimwear and walking, with the competition being independently judged by guest judges.
The grand finalists are hoping to move on the world stage, and get noticed by the likes of fashion bible Vogue Magazine.
The competition is in its second year, and last year’s winner Alexis Vaganova won the chance to compete in the Top Model Worldwide competition in London – while also being booked to walk in London Fashion Week in October 2017, with her photo appearing in Vogue.
Although Chloe hopes to win the competition, she said she will still follow her modelling aspirations if she does not.
She said: “Even if I don’t win, I have a portfolio of photos from the competition that I can take with me.”
Chloe said that she also has an interest in acting, having performed in plays in school at St Aidan’s Community School in Brookfield.
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