Awein Deng is hoping her first foray in modelling could lead to bigger things. 82104 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
By XAVIER SMERDON
A TEENAGER with a lifelong love for fashion is hoping to show that she has what it takes to make it as a model.
Awein Deng is one of 16 models who will take to the runway as part of the Miss South Sudan Australia Beauty Pageant this Saturday.
The 17-year-old was born in Sudan and raised in Egypt before moving to Tasmania and then Melbourne.
She lived in Sunshine before moving to Wyndham Vale last year.
One of six children, five girls and one boy, Ms Deng told Star she had always had an interest in fashion.
“I love fashion,” the Marian College student said.
“I just love the clothes and all the designs.
“I think I just always loved it and then my oldest sister told me to get into modelling.”
Fashion appears to run in the family, with Awein’s older sister Abuk studying Fashion Design at RMIT University.
This month’s competition will be the first Awein has ever taken part in, but she has modelled her older sister’s designs in the past.
And Ms Deng is clearly dedicated to looking her best, with her long hair taking about one day to braid.
The Year 11 student has been practising walking down the runway and said she wants to make it big as a professional model.
“I want to be a supermodel,” she said.
“My favourite brand is Chanel and I want to travel to America and Paris.”
The major prize for the winner of the competition, which is now in its sixth year, includes a trip to Queensland.
