An Abbotsford teen with no modelling experience has won a competition that will see her walking the runway in China.
Meagan Klop, 17, competes this fall in China’s largest modelling competition, the New Silk Road Model Look contest. The all-expenses-paid trip was her prize for clinching top spot in the ITM-NSR Model Look North America event held June 2 at the River Rock Show Theatre in Richmond.
She had never before posed professionally in front of a camera or walked a runway. She entered the contest for the experience, never expecting to hear her name announced as the winner.
“It was so surreal ... I was overwhelmed, and was filled with joy and happiness,” said Klop, who graduates this month from Abbotsford Traditional Secondary.
She first entered the ITM event last year after coming across a Facebook listing. She made it to the semi-final interview stage, but was not one of the 20 finalists selected to compete on stage.
This year, she nailed the interview process.
“The main key is confidence and just having fun,” Klop said.
She and the other finalists – mainly from Vancouver and Richmond – then received almost six weeks of intensive training from industry professionals and took part in photo shoots, fittings, workshops and sightseeing activities.
It all culminated in the Glamour Finale Show on June 2. The event followed a pageant-style format, including a group dance sequence and evening gown and bathing suit segments.
Two hours later, Klop was declared winner, while Jenny Xue was runner-up and Reika Yoshino was third. Klop also received the Best Fashion Wear Award.
She will now take further training and participate in promotional events for ITM. Klop, who is also interested in photography, said she looks forward to the future.
"I would love for this to be a career ... and take it as far as I can go," she said.
Another Abbotsford resident, Jillian Halldorson, won the ITM contest in 2009 and placed in the top 10, out of 50 finalists, at the competition in China.