When 14-year-old Jamilla Clark entered the South West Model Search she just wanted to have fun and gain some experience.
She didn’t expect to walk away with the title and a contract with Chadwick Models.
The Dunsborough teenager beat out more than 70 entrants from castings held in Busselton, Dunsborough, Margaret River, Bunbury and Bridgetown.
Although she can’t work in the fashion industry until she is 16, she will train with Chadwick’s development group in Perth and Dunsborough-based Co.lab Model Academy.
Jamilla told the Mail she doesn’t necessarily see her future in modelling but was excited to see what it could lead to.
“In the interview with Chadwick I learnt it is a really serious industry and you don’t always succeed,” she said.
“I just think it will be good experience – it is something I like doing and if you can make something you enjoy a job, that is pretty cool.
“I would really like to get in to the media or arts industry so it will be great to learn skills and meet people in those industries.”
The Georgiana Molloy Anglican School student said her focus was still firmly on her education and she was keen to begin media and drama electives in 2018.
“I love acting and think modelling will help build my confidence in front of the camera,” she said.
“Both acting and modelling require you to get in to a character or a mood for a shoot and that’s what I love about it.”
The event, which is in its second year, is presented SW Life+STYLE online magazine.
SW Life+STYLE editor and Co.lab Model Academy director Jo Bevis said Jamilla was a worthy winner of the 2017 title.
“The reason Jamilla stood out is because she has a very mature attitude,” she said.
“Because she is so young, she has time to train and hopefully get some opportunities locally.
“I think she could have a really big future.”
Ms Bevis said she started the competition and the academy to fill a gap in the South West.
“There was no sort of professional agency or school in the South West and no opportunities for girls to get in to modelling,” she said.
“We have so many beautiful healthy girls down here with healthy attitudes too so it has been really well received.”
The academy teaches students everything from industry and life skills to physical and mental wellness.
