Jervis Centre says walk this way if you want to be next top model

BOSSES at the Jervis Shopping Centre have teamed up with Jules and Trish Fallon, from First Option model agency, for the Jervis Next Top Model competition.

And unlike any search we've seen before, bosses at Jervis Shopping Centre have enlisted state-of-the-art video technology to give hopefuls a real sense of a catwalk show - the Fashion Booth will actually film their auditions.

Unlike pageant shows, where 25 is considered by some to be 'over the hill', the competition is open to women between 14 and 30, while the cut-off point for men is 35. Top scout Trish has encouraged women up to the age-limit to step up and prove they have what it takes.

"In this industry in Ireland, we have a fantastic fashion side of things, but we also have an amazing advertising side too ... We would always look for the little bit more mature-looking ladies, we're delighted the search has been opened to women of 30 and 35-year-old men.

"I've got ladies in their seventies on my books who are absolutely phenomenal looking and are hard workers, so it's great to broaden the age spectrum," she told the Herald.

Cameras

Whenever agents are on the lookout for the next big thing, it can be tough to know how contestants will react to the lights and cameras, but not anymore.

"We've been doing searches for many years, but this is the first time that it's been of this scale and we can actually see what the girls are like strutting their stuff. When you put girls on a platform they do want to show off their worth and show us that they have what it takes. So realistically, there's no better way than getting involved in an interactive catwalk," Trish said. The search began last week and will run for the next two days between noon and 5pm, until Wednesday.

Each hopeful can see their try-out video on the Jervis SC's Facebook page.

The minimum height for women is 5ft 8in and 6ft for men and Trish has advised women to arrive with natural-looking make-up, a figure-flattering outfit and stilettos in the handbag.

The top 10 finalists will walk the Jervis Catwalk on May 19 to prove what it takes to be crowned the 2012 male and female winners -- but they have to win over style guru Brendan Courtney first.

The Off The Rails host will pick the lucky two, who will bag themselves a contract with 1st Option, a €300 shopping spree and a photoshoot in U Magazine.

labutler@herald.ie