Lithe Hannah heats up the fashion scene

FOormer Kimberley Girl participant Hannah Collard has capped off a stellar first year in Perth’s modelling scene with a nomination for the coveted WA Fashion Festival “hot new talent” award.

The 171cm, lithe Aboriginal-Norwegian teenager has wowed the industry since turning up in Perth as a gangly, shy teenager in February.

In less than a year, the Bunbury born model who grew up in Broome has become a darling of her agency, Chadwick Models, with bosses praising her politeness and professionalism at every turn.

Agent Vanda Schif said the “sultry brunette” with striking features had a fierce runway style to rival the best and had made a mark despite being a relative newcomer on the scene.

“Hannah notched up her first photographic campaign for the inaugural Perth Fashion Week and topped the list with 12 shows,” she said.

“She has also walked the runway for Perth Fashion Festival 2012, Garth Cook, Adam Heath and Billie and Rose to name a few … we are very pleased with Hannah’s progress to date and she has developed into a stunning young model.”

Ms Collard was gracious about her success after being announced as a finalist by industry professionals known as the “Style Circle” on Tuesday night.

She said she had worked steadily since arriving in Perth, walking the catwalk at least once a fortnight, and her confidence level had grown.

“I think I’ve gotten used to it … I know what to expect and what’s expected of what you’ve got to do when you show up to a job,” she said.

She said she was keen to make sure people thought she was nice to work with: “A lot of the time, that’s why clients will keep booking you again and again,” she said.

Ms Collard said she also worked part-time to “make money to pay the rent”, but model scouts from New York, London and Germany had come knocking after she was featured on Chadwick’s Sydney website.

She was ready to go anywhere modelling took her but for now, there’s just one hitch: “I’m waiting for my braces to come off … they come off next month,” she said.

Other contenders in the Hatch Hot New Model Talent award include Grady Wulff (Chadwick), Courtney Eaton and Mason Roberts (Vivien’s) and Talisa Rimland and Kelsie De Bruin (Scene).

Winners chosen from 37 finalists across nine categories will be announced at a WA Fashion Festival VIP event at Brookfield Place, Perth, on February 21, 2013.