Dreams come true for first-time model

The train rolled into Dunedin Railway Station at the weekend — but the trip did not take riders out of the city. Instead, it took them on a trip into the world of fashion.

The iD Dunedin Fashion Show chugged in for the first night on Friday and backstage was all hustle and bustle while makeup artists, hairdressers, models and designers scrambled to make the final preparations before hitting the runway.

This year for the iD International Emerging Designer Awards, 29 finalists hailing from 14 countries had designs walked down the runway as part of the show.

Among those under the clouds of hairspray backstage was Dunedin Urgent Pharmacy pharmacist Jennifer McKean, who was taking her first strut down the runway later that evening as a model.

Ms McKean said she had always wanted to try modelling but had never worked up the courage and at age 50, she thought it was too late to start.

When she saw the open casting call for iD fashion week held in the Meridian Mall she walked past many times before finally giving herself a pep talk and taking the plunge.

"I walked past so many times that I even went off and brought a cookbook, I got back to my car and gave myself a stern talking to and eventually went back."

A few weeks later she got an email to say she had been successful and her debut on the runway would be at the Dunedin Railway Station.

"I was absolutely shocked, but very excited ... I thought ‘I’m in the wrong age group’ but here I am," Ms McKean said.

As the backstage crew worked on her, she was beaming from ear to ear. Her makeup was applied and hair was done

Ms McKean modelled for emerging designer finalist Tess McCone with part of the Su’Mar collection.

"It’s so nice, everyone’s really friendly, I’m excited, not too nervous either," she said.

Ms McKean made her life-long dreams come true as part of the iD International Emerging Designer collections during the second half of the show on Friday and again on Saturday.