Elite Model Look 2012 || National Final

The day of the Elite Model Look 2012 National Final has finally come – our 24 finalists were in full force for the catwalk grand-finale, where they showcased everything they learned in the previous three days of bootcamp.

On the morning of 30th August our gorgeous boys and girls were introduced to Ambika – the venue where all their modelling talents and hard work were exhibited to the public. With only a matter of hours before the final show the finalists got down to business and rehearsals got underway almost immediately, practicing on their first ever real catwalk under the guidance of our model scout Leah and last year’s EML finalist Kate Howat.

Not too long after the venue started filling with our incredible team of LOOK Beauty makeup experts, Billy and Bo hair team, stylists and dressers, catering staff, who all contributed all their energy and talent towards a fantastic show! LOOK Beauty girls created latest catwalk-inspired looks for the girls complete with glossed vampy lips and polished talons, while the boys were given natural and healthy looking glow! As for the Billy and Bo team, they were once again amazing as ever at recreating slicked back wet-look hair on boys that had timeless and elegant appeal, whilst the girls also benefitted from the sleek, gelled hair that showed off their stunning features.

The girls’ wardrobe looked enviously chic and fashion-forward that required not one, not two – but three outfit changes! The ever so talented Hannah Hughes nailed every look for each one of our girls - from draped evening gowns to dazzling LBDs. The boys looked exceptionally impressive too, to say the least! Laura Harvey used Topman’s latest designs to garb our boys in, adding a fresh and exciting spin to them. There were two looks in total; the first one had a very cool, relaxed edge, whereas the second look was all about sharp sillhouettes and tailored suits.

Once fully dressed and coifs groomed to perfection, the highly anticipated moment has arrived - our finalists then took it to the catwalk for the final showtime, taking their first steps on a real catwalk in front of a huge crowd of spectators like pro's! Both boys and girls looked like an absolute dream rocking that catwalk with a 20ft long rotating hologram behind them!

Needless to say, we were bursting with sheer pride watching our amazing boys and girls grow into world-class models! In one of the most priceless moments we have possibly ever experienced, the judges then announced (in what seemed to have been the hardest decision ever!) their winners. Our first winner of the night was Molly McGeachin who will go on to become the face of the LOOK Beauty campaign that will feature in LOOK Magazine and Superdrug stores nationwide. So without further ado, let us introduce you to our Elite Model Look 2012 superstars: Gillian Matthew and Conor Doherty – who both in their complete shock and disbelief did one more victorious walk up and down the catwalk, absorbing their well-earned spotlight moment!

So there you go folks – here we mark the end of yet another successful year of Elite Model Look 2012, that has without a inch of a doubt produced and nurtured a new wave of fresh faces that we are simply bound to see conquering our world of fashion!

Deuce up.

Image credits: Donald Chambers, George Naylor, Rokas Darulis, Jakub Koziel.

Elite Model Look 2012 - Bootcamp DAY 1

On Monday, 27th August we well and truly kick-started the highly anticipated Elite Model Look bootcamp - a three-day intensive training for both boy + girl finalists, where they received advice on everything from how to pose on photo shoots and what to do at castings, as well as getting styling tips and walking like pros.

As we impatiently awaited our excited little bunch of finalists arriving from all across the country early on Monday morning, the Waterloo Film Studios were in full swing of preparations for the contestants' first ever big-production photo shoot. Straight in through the studio doors and the superb team of hair stylists, make-up artists and stylists were on-hand to begin the transformation - Billy & Bo hair team have ensured the girls' curly tresses looked immaculate and the boys were groomed to perfection, whereas our loyal friends at LOOK Beauty have worked their magic yet again to ensure the finalists looked picture-perfect!

Stylists Hannah Hughes and her dedicated team of assistants put together an impressive wardrobe with a hint of the decadent 80s, and once the full-transformation was complete, the girls looked every inch of the glamorous catwalk divas! The boys were dressed head-to-toe in swanky Topman creations put together by stylist Laura Harvey - and we can safely say that we have never found ourselves surrounded by a more handsome bunch of male models under one roof!

The photographers Rokas Darulis (girls) and Cecilie Harris (boys) did an outstanding job at capturing the finalists in both individual and group shots, resulting in stunning imagery.

And of course, the model bootcamp simply wouldn't be a bootcamp without a good dose of catwalk training - and who better to teach our beauties how to really WORK IT than our very own model scout Leah and Elite-model posse: Maddy Hooton, Emma Weaver, Kate Howat, Matthew Bell and Jed Texas.

With a help of all of the creatives involved in day 1 of the model bootcamp, our amazing boys and girls have come such a long way since we first scouted them… And whilst beaming with sheer pride, it was an absolute privilege (and pleasure!) to watch them grow into world-class supermodels!