Bulawayo girl to take part in world pageant

AS the country's premier modelling competition, the Miss Zimbabwe beauty pageant, is slowly going to the dogs, some models have decided to set their sights in other international pageants to showcase their talents.

Just a few months after cutting her teeth on the catwalk, 15-year-old Bianca Edwards has already broken new ground and will be taking part in one of the world's biggest and glamorous beauty extravaganza, the Top Model Worldwide Show.

The lanky Edwards is one of the 44 lucky models who were selected from the more than 10 000 applicants from all corners of the globe.

Speaking to Saturday Leisure, Edwards said she was so ecstatic to be representing her country at the finals in London.

"I feel honoured and proud and excited to fly my country's flag high at the Top Model Worldwide show.

It's a dream come true for me and I am hoping for the best," said Edwards

The 2013 Top Model Worldwide International Grand Final will take place at the Hilton London Metropole on 13 April, as part of an established London Fashion Week.

AM Modelling Management director, Amanda Mtangadura, who worked with Edwards and helped her realise her dream of making it into the international scene, said although Edwards was a new face in the local modelling scene, she is a promising star.

"Edwards signed up with AM Modelling Management in August last year and has potential of becoming one of the country's decorated models.

Bianca's future in the industry is looking very bright and who knows what success in the UK may bring as this is definitely a career path that she is passionate about following," said the modelling instructor.

Mtangadura who has groomed a number of successful models in the country said Bianca would soon start preparations for the international showcase.

"As you know, she is a student and we cannot disturb her studies but grooming lessons would commence soon, she has a full month for preparations before she leaves for London," she said.

Bianca Edwards, born in Bulawayo in 1997, is an Ordinary level pupil at Girls College.

Top Model Worldwide is the leading international model search platform of its kind and is now in its seventh successful year.

It was established to seek the best new modelling talent from across the globe.

It is a fashion and model industry backed search and does not have beauty pageant-style heats or public text voting to select theffinalists.

All finalists, and the eventual award winners, are selected by interview and by industry professionals, and not by public voting.

Top designers and labels from around the world, as well as from London Fashion Week, will be dressing these ladies over a weekend of professionally produced gala grand final runway shows.

The finalists will appear in a fully choreographed, high-profile, professionally produced three hour runway and entertainment spectacular.

It has a host of titles and awards, great prizes and fantastic career opportunities available for winners.

Each campaign includes a diverse mix of finalists, from runway to photographic, from all nationalities.

Only the Top Model Worldwide 2013 Public Vote Award has the winner selected by voting.

This award recognises an individual finalist's popularity with the public.

Finalist's fans and supporters can vote for their favourite finalists through online voting. To vote for Bianca, visit her personal online profile page at www.topmodelworldwide.com/BiancaE.

Meanwhile, the Miss Zimbabwe pageant preliminaries  remain uncertain as there has been no sign on the provincial preparations yet.

The organisers however remain adamant that they are planning a much bigger and glamorous show.

Only time will tell.