Trawling the malls for modelling X factor

Liselle Finlay, 18, faces the cameras at St Lukes mall. Picture / Jess Husband

A nationwide search for the young woman with all the right assets has hit the malls of Auckland.

"We're looking for the X factor, that special something, and that can come in so many shapes and sizes," says Cadbury Dream Model Search competition organiser Caroline Barley, who is also director of Nova Models, Talent & Actors.

More than 100 hopefuls, aged between 14 and 25, turned up yesterday at St Lukes mall for a photo opportunity and a meeting with the judges, who will select 12 finalists from about 1000 entrants.

The winner of the final, to be held in July in Auckland, will have a modelling career launched by Nova, plus a trip to Sydney to talk with modelling agency Vivien's Model Management. A second Auckland audition will be held at Botany Town Centre on May 27.