Hi °C | Lo °C 
"Winning this competition will change my life", admits Ireland’s newest top model Maria Gildea, who has been announced as the overall winner of the 2012 Specsavers Spectacle Wearer of the Year competition.
Competing against thousands of models across the UK and further afield, the blonde 20 year old Donegal student was chosen for her stunning Kylie Minogue-esque looks and stylish specs appeal.
“I can’t believe it. The competition had such a high standard. It’s such an adrenalin rush. While I was on the catwalk, I knew that modelling is what I want to do in my future career. It’s the best feeling in the world right now,” she said.
Top London model agency MOT Models have asked Maria to stay in London to start her new career straight away, so she will be leaving her tiny village of Ardara in Donegal behind her for the moment.
Helen Illes, agency founder said: “After more than 25 years in the fashion industry you know what you’re looking for in a new model. The standard of contestants was really high but Maria really shone on the catwalk. We have already planned lots of castings for her.”
Maria is currently in her third year in LYIT studying accountancy, marketing and management. She has worn glasses for the past two years, having realized that she needed them when she couldn’t see the college lecture board properly.
