2005 Shanghai International Fashion Model Contest

Australian Qualifications - 18 March 2005

Some of Australia's best emerging fashion models will take to the catwalk as part of the Shanghai International Fashion Model Contest Australian Qualifications held in Melbourne on Friday, 18 March 2005.

Plan - an international child centred community development agency - is the charity of choice for the Australian Qualification night.

Australian Qualification Event Show Director Sari Sheehan said the competition is being organised by Legends Australia International and is proud to be associated with Plan - a worthy international children's charity. "Proceeds of ticket sales will be given to support Plan's work," she said.

With 32 talented young models aged 17 to 27, Australian and Chinese business leaders and Shanghai government officials attending the event, which caters for 500 guests, Ms Sheehan said the night was set to be brilliant and exciting opportunity for Australian talent and businesses to gain exposure.

"The competition is not just about height and looks, it is about choosing models that have a positive attitude and can represent Australia's multicultural mix in a positive way," Ms Sheehan said.

Around the globe, models in London , Paris , Milan , Tokyo and 25 other cities are also preparing for their respective Qualifying Competitions similarly to what we are doing here in Melbourne , Ms Sheehan added.

The Shanghai International Fashion Model Contest is part of the annual Shanghai International Fashion Culture Festival - one of the most glamorous and high profile events of the fashion festival calendar in China . Ms Sheehan said the competition also attracts the attention of international companies - companies that are interested in the unparalleled growth of the Shanghai fashion industry.

Mrs Sheehan said the format of the evening at the Ballroom, Sofitel on Collins Street , Melbourne will consist of entertainment, model presentation, a three-course meal, and fashion and business guest speakers. "We promise a fantastic night of quality entertainment," she said.

Plan Australia National Executive Director Ian Wishart said funds raised on the night will go to rebuilding programs in Asia affected by the tsunamis.

Mr Wishart said the rebuilding of communities in Aceh - Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand will take several years.

"It isn't just that homes, schools, health centres and community infrastructure needs to be rebuilt. Many people must try to earn a living again after losing their only means of livelihood. For example, many small open fishing boats on which coastal economies largely depend, have been smashed and tourism ventures have also been destroyed," he said.

Mr Wishart said in Sri Lanka , Plan's rebuilding programs include helping to build 11 child-friendly townships in the Hambantota district, constructing and equiping six schools, providing learning materials to 160,000 school age-children and building 11 ECCD (early childhood care and development) learning centers. In Aceh, Indonesia , Plan is one of three lead agencies working with the Indonesian Government to rebuild education. And in Thailand, Plan will also help rebuild education by working with the Thailand education department. 

2005 Shanghai International Fashion Model Contest - Australian Qualifications

Competition sponsors include Australian fashion designers Andy Soma, Vicious Threads and Gwendolynne.

Tim Cansfield-Smith
Plan Australia Media & Communications Manager
Phone: 03 9672 3656
Mobile: 0411 642 194

Sari Sheehan
Legends Australia International Events Manager
Phone: 03 9863 7655
Mobile: 0419 509 872