Bay Model 2014 finalists Sue James, Yogeeta Devi and Amy Stephenson. Photo/file
Ever been to a fashion show and thought you would like to try sashaying down the catwalk?
Ever looked at the indulge cover and thought you would like to see yourself looking back at you?
Whether you want to model in a fashion show for fun, or become a real model, now is your opportunity.
And even if you do not want to be a model but just want to take on a new challenge, transform yourself with other like-minded women, impress your workmates and your kids with your new-found bravery (and inner glamour puss), then listen up.
In association with Blur Eyecare, indulge is on the hunt for entrants for its 2015 indulge Bay Model.
Back for its fourth year, the competition is an empowering journey for courageous local ladies of all ages, shapes, sizes and personalities. From the entries, 15 women will be selected and we will support you to gain confidence in how to pose, how to walk down a catwalk, what makes you look tall, slim and confident, and how to work that camera.
You will have great fun, meet other ladies who are likely to become friends, and hang out with the indulge team.
Beauty has no boundaries, whether you are a student, a young career woman, a mother, a grandmother, we will make catwalk models out of you all.
Blur Eyecare Locally owned Blur offers optometrist and optician services. The Spring St store in Tauranga is soon to be joined by a second store in downtown Mount Maunganui.
The new store will see an extension and progression of Blur's ideas for comprehensive eye care and expressive, innovative eyewear. In the days of global chain stores, Blur prides itself on personalised eye care with unique ranges of glasses from around the world, which Blur has selected for style, function and quality.
Blur staff are highly skilled in helping clients choose glasses and sunglasses that make a unique personal statement. They really care about what they do and it shows in the results.
You will find lots of happy Blur clients around Tauranga. Owners Haidee Mannix and Stuart Laing have Bachelor of Optometry (honours) degrees with therapeutics endorsement, meaning they can treat and prescribe for a variety of eye disorders.
The husband and wife duo are joined by dispensing optician Devon Palairet, who is the brains behind Blur's unique spectacle dispenser. He describes this as a little art and a little magic
"Matching frames to faces is an art form. Some opticians have it. Most don't. Bring in your face (and your personality) and we can help bring out the inner you (or maybe even the you you didn't know was there).
"It's calculated risk vs reward. Chances are if you see somebody wearing amazing specs, we fitted them."
indulge asked Blur why the team decided to become involved in Indulge Bay Model.
The event closely aligns with our mission statement. We are in the business of matching a person's inner self to their outer self and we believe that every individual should be able to confidently be themselves and express a little piece of themselves in the way they look and see the world. indulge Bay Model from our point of view is about the celebration of being yourself and having the confidence to tread your own path.
What are you looking forward to in the competition?
Hopefully meeting a diverse and eclectic assortment of individuals and watching how they portray and express themselves and their personalities through the medium of the competition.
What would you say to anyone thinking of entering this year?
Confidence is king, wear your emotions and personality on your sleeves (or face!), to heck with what everybody thinks, you're there for fun and a good time.
Sisters & Co Sisters & Co is sponsoring the 18 to 25 category Owned by Rodelle Payne, Sisters & Co is a high-end department store bringing you many of the world's coveted designers right here in the Bay of Plenty.
Situated in the Mount, Sisters & Co brings a refined collection from more than 50 globally renowned New Zealand and international designers such as Juliette Hogan, Bassike and Rag & Bone to name a few.
"At Sisters & Co we believe shopping should be fun and fabulous and this is complemented with our in-store styling room providing the finishing touches from head to toe. The experience doesn't just stop at bricks and mortar. Mirroring the same personal shopping indulgence is the Sisters & Co e-commerce site delivering divine fashion to your door locally, nationally and internationally 24/7."
Augustine Augustine is sponsoring the 26 to 39 category> Augustine is a fun, playful and stylish clothing label for women who want something a little different in their wardrobes. A label filled with dresses, tunics, tops and tees that scream colour, sparkle, sequins, shimmer and pop.
With a flagship store in Mount Maunganui (that has just recently had a massive makeover), Augustine has established itself as the go-to boutique in the Mount for special occasion and stylish daywear.
Augustine is also the home of our sister label Charlo, smart casual wear that is full of pieces that will take you from the school drop-off to lunch with the girls, Charlo is stylish daywear at its best.
Alongside the two clothing labels we also have a jewellery label, Mrs Pretty, which overall creates a boutique full of colour, fun and style that is a treasure trove of all things glam.
Augustine is owned by ex-Otumoetai College local Kelly Coe and her husband Nathan, who now live in Auckland with their two daughters.
Augustine has three of its own boutiques and wholesales to 80 stores around New Zealand.
We asked Augustine designer Kelly Coe why she is involved in indulge Bay Model. I love being involved with events in the Bay as that is where I am from.
Finding new models and seeing them get all glammed up and gorgeous in our clothing on the catwalk will be super-exciting.
And I was a model in my youth so I may have a few pointers, if I can remember anything.
What are you looking forward to? Seeing some gorgeous new faces, seeing them come alive on the catwalk and the transformation that can happen when women do some modelling for the first time. I am also looking forward to showcasing my new season collection on the models.
What would you say to someone considering entering the competition?
Have confidence and a smile. You can be the most gorgeous girl but if you don't rock the catwalk with confidence then you won't appeal to the audience or judges. And a smile counts for a thousand words.
George Edward George Edward is sponsoring the 40-plus category An absolute love for fashion inspired Vicki Burns to take on her second women's clothing store, George Edward, in the Bethlehem Town Centre, just on seven years ago.
Her passion for ensuring women look good and feel great whatever shape, size or personal style was the driving force behind her second boutique and means that George Edward has remained a well-frequented fashion destination within the Bay of Plenty.
Just two doors down from her initial boutique, Urban Vogue, George Edward offers designer collections from around the world combined with the very best of New Zealand-designed and made labels. Vicki and her dynamic team of style professionals ensure the focus is on a personalised service that celebrates women. From everyday casual to special events the team love to help clients co-ordinate a confident, stylish look that makes them feel fabulous.
The boutique stocks New Zealand exclusive design labels such as OBI, Chocolat, Lifespace, Catalyst, Vassalli denim, Fields knitwear, Bay Road Merino, Calico, Blackstone and more.
indulge asked Vicki why she decided to become involved in indulge Bay Model. We loved the concept of celebrating everyday women. The fact they are pushing themselves to be the best they can be.
What are you looking forward to in the competition? With our absolute love for all things fashion, I think the George team are looking forward to sharing the experience with like-minded women - watching everyday women grow in confidence and rise to new challenges.
What would you say to anyone thinking of entering this year? Go for it! We know it's easy to say, but at George and Urban we've been working hard to push ourselves outside our comfort zones with new experiences and think this is a great way to extend oneself. Life is for celebrating who you are and enjoying the journey - so go for it!
ANOTHER CATEGORY popular with readers in previous years of the competition, is back for 2015, the Eves Realty People's Choice Award winner.
Each week you will be able to vote for your favourite finalist from the 15.
This voting form will be printed each week in indulge right up to October 3. Each category winner will receive:
Swarovski Stardust Bracelet from Hammon Diamond Jeweller valued at $149 each.
Hair package from Lynx Hair Direction valued at $100 each.
Photography session with Image Hub, valued at $500 each.
Plus for the age category winners:
An appearance on the front cover of indulge.
A $1000 clothing voucher from the fashion label in their category.
As well as Blur Eyecare, Augustine, Sisters & Co, and George Edward, indulge Bay Model is proudly supported by Eves Realty, Majesty Mortgage and Insurance, Ingham Sears, Tranquillo Beauty Clinic, Hammon Diamond Jeweller, ImageHub, Fletcher Print, and The Hits Bay of Plenty.
INDULGE BAY Model 2014 finalists Amy Stephenson, Yogeeta Devi and Sue James got together for a photoshoot at George Novak's ImageHub studio. It was a chance for indulge to catch up with the girls and ask what they had been doing in the year since the show.
Last year's winner, 21-year-old Amy Stephenson is living in Bayfair and working in retail. Since the show she has done some modelling including several catwalk events/photoshoots for Kharl Wirepa Couture, modelling for a GHD hair seminar, a photoshoot for Annah Stretton and a catwalk show to raise funds for Cambodia Charitable Trust hosted by Repertoire.
Amy said since the show she changed jobs to give herself more of a challenge. "The show gave me the confidence in my ability as a model, and proved to myself that if I set my mind to something I can do it. All of the finalists were such wonderful women and we've all had a couple of catch-ups after the show."
Accountant Yogeeta Devi, 34, from the Mount picked up the photogenic category in 2014. Since the show she has completed her MBA. "I feel I have more confidence now following the show. It gave me confidence, proved to myself I am not just a boring accountant. It was a talking point with my clients, who were most impressed."
Yogeeta encourages anyone thinking of entering this year to "get out of your comfort zone! It will be an excellent opportunity to build confidence, do something fun. You will be treated as a princess for the day - hair and makeup done and beautiful clothes to wear. You will meet some amazing women."
Amy agreed. "Do it! You never know what might happen unless you try. The show is such a huge opportunity for anyone starting out in modelling or looking to start out, no matter what age. The sky is the limit, and you're likely to exit the show with a few new friends."
HOW DO I TAKE PART? STEP 1: Register your interest by emailing events@bayofplentytimes.co.nz