'Tomboy' on the catwalk

BEN WATSON

MODEL STUDENT: Mt Albert Grammar student Brooke Evaga won a model search competition to model at Westfield Style Pasifika and as part of the show will wear this outfit by designers Linda Lepou and Louina Fifita from Mt Eden.

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When Brooke Evaga's little sister was approached in a shopping mall to be part of the Westfield Style Pasifika Model Search Brooke decided to give it a go as well.

To the surprise of her family and friends, the self-confessed tomboy was named one of two overall winners and will strut her stuff on the catwalk at the Westfield Style Pasifika Fashion Awards this Friday night.

The 17-year-old from Lynfield is at home on a basketball court and sports field and she's equally comfortable in a pair of high heels and has a strong interest in fashion.

"Being involved in an event with a Polynesian perspective is really cool," she says.

Brooke got the call to say she'd won the competition when she was in class at Mt Albert Grammar.

"I was really surprised. I saw a few of the girls who went before me."

Brooke says she was nervous when doing her original audition but has enjoyed learning how to do a proper modelling walk and the ins-and-outs of being part of a large-scale fashion show.

"You have to know when you're on, how long it takes to get to the stage and who is on before and after you," she says.

Brooke will model several different outfits during the show.

She hopes to continue modelling and also plans to do a fine arts degree next year.

Along with performing on the night, Brooke's prize includes two modelling courses with Vanity Walk, which trains models in all aspects of professional modelling, a contract with Vanity Walk Model and Talent Agency and a $100 Westfield voucher.

Westfield Style Pasifika is now in its 17th year and director Stan Wolfgramm says it has come a long way from its humble beginnings.

"It started out on a stage in a field and it has made the transition through various venues and we are now at Vector Arena."

He says this year's event is coming together nicely.

The event attracts an audience of about 7000 and is also shown on TVNZ.

Westfield Style Pasifika is on Friday at 7.30pm at Vector Arena and tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.co.nz.

- © Fairfax NZ News