Final Voting Now Open To Find New Zealand's Young Fashion Stylist

Those with an eye for style are invited to make a crucial fashion choice: which of four young fashionistas should win the title of New Zealand’s Young Fashion Stylist.

In October 2010 more than 300 entrants answered the call of AMP Capital Shopping Centres (AMPCSC) and Girlfriend Magazine in a nationwide competition. The field has since been whittled down to four style-savvy finalists, aged from 13 to 16, and all Kiwis with a passion for fashion are invited to cast their ballot in the final round of voting.

Votes can be made at http://nz.youth.yahoo.com/girlfriend/style/article/-/8841390/month-3-girlfriend-future-fashion-stylists-finalists/. Voting ends on Monday 28 February.

The winner (determined solely by public vote) will be announced to the public in a double-page fashion feature in the April issue of Girlfriend Magazine, on sale Monday 4 April. The winner will receive a 12-month subscription to Girlfriend, and a professional make-up kit containing a full range of Maybelline New York products valued at $400.

The four finalists are Jacqui Graham (16) who undertook her challenges at The Palms Shopping Centre; Hope McConnell (14) who shopped at Bayfair Shopping Centre; and Amy Calder (13) and Tehya Reardon (16) who both styled their looks at Botany Town Centre. Each finalist was given the task of shopping at centres owned by AMPCSC between November and February in a series of styling challenges.

AMPCSC senior marketing manager Desiree Clark says the search for New Zealand’s Young Fashion Stylist is a unique and first-to-market retail initiative in New Zealand. “This is an innovative opportunity for those with a passion for fashion and beauty. We were absolutely blown away by the calibre and quality of the entries, and what the four finalists have achieved since December is remarkable.
Jacqui, a Year 12 student from Christchurch Adventist School, said the Young Fashion Stylist competition had been a “great opportunity” for which she has drawn tremendous support from her friends and school.

Hope, in Year 10 at Tauranga Girls’ College, described the competition as a fun learning experience that increased her confidence and fuelled her passion for all things fashion.

Amy, in Year 10 student at Hebron Christian College, said the competition had been a lot of fun, and the process had made her a better decision-maker and more able to work to a deadline.

Tehya, in Year 12 at St Cuthbert’s College, likened the competition to work experience. “Being given the style briefs, considering a theme and having a set task each month has taught me to manage my time and ideas.”

The Young Fashion Stylist competition has seen the four finalists challenged to a ‘style-off’ over the four months from November to February. Each finalist has created an individual look with vouchers provided by her local AMP Capital Shopping Centre. The four looks they have been challenged to create include: a favourite summer look, casual look, autumn look and an ultimate ball look.

Each young stylist’s look has been uploaded to Girlfriend Magazine’s website each month for public voting. Following the final vote, April 2011 will see one competitor crowned New Zealand’s Young Fashion Stylist.

Christchurch finalist Jacqui Graham shopped at The Palms Shopping Centre, East Auckland finalists Amy Calder and Teyha Reardon shopped at Botany Town Centre and Bay of Plenty finalist Hope McConnell shopped at Bayfair Shopping Centre.


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About The Palms Shopping Centre
Situated in Shirley, just 4kms from the Christchurch CBD, The Palms Shopping Centre offers more than 110 speciality stores. Its retailers range from Kmart and Farmers to a range of banks, food outlets and fashion stores. The centre includes an eight screen cinema complex offering Christchurch’s only first class cinema experience. In addition to its retail offering The Palms Shopping Centre is a community hub for other services including the Shirley Library, New Zealand Post and a variety of medical and health providers.

About Bayfair Shopping Centre
More than 80 of the Bay’s best stores are conveniently located under one roof, with seven-day opening and two late nights to accommodate busy lifestyles. Large-format stores include Farmers, K-Mart, Countdown and Woolworths. Bayfair provides a full range of services for customers, including parents’ room, wheelchairs, strollers and kiddy karts. We also have free interior and exterior parking for over 1600 vehicles.

Bayfair is committed to the local environment and is a strong supporter of the paper4trees project, which rewards schools in the local area with trees for their recycling efforts.

About Botany Town Centre
Situated approximately 19km southeast of Auckland, Botany Town Centre is one of New Zealand’s largest retail developments, with over 176 specialty stores. Its retailers range from Dick Smith Electronics to Rebel Sports and a full complement of banks, fashion stores, and New Zealand’s most popular café and restaurant chains. The centre includes one of Auckland’s largest Farmers stores and a New World supermarket. The centre provides diverse entertainment choices from the La Premiere at Hoyts Cinema to the award-winning Cock and Bull pub. In addition to its retail offering, Botany Town Centre is a community hub for other services including the Botany Library, the Community Constable, and a variety of medical and health providers.