Spy: Taranaki teen could be NZ's next supermodel

Eden Bristowe.

At 15, Eden Bristowe left school in Taranaki and began her trade as a model. Months into her career, Spy spotted her and picked her as one of the top Kiwi models of last year.

Now 16, she is fast becoming an international star. Bristowe has shot with renowned photographer Ellen von Unwerth, widely regarded as one of the top five photographers in the world.

This is the second time Bristowe has posed for von Unwerth. The first shoot was for a campaign for Dutch clothing company G-Star and this time she was in Paris for glossy French magazine 7POST. In September last year, she opened for the Vivienne Westwood show at London Fashion Week.

In New Zealand, Bristowe was a huge hit with photographers Adam Bryce, Damien Nikora, Marissa Findlay, Stephen Tilley, Carolyn Haslett, Mara Sommer and Olivia Hemus.

Her biggest moment in New Zealand was doing the cover of Fashion Quarterly. Andrea Plowright, director of 62 Models and Talent and Bristowe's agent, told Spy: "She has an incredibly supportive family behind her and is well on the way to becoming a superstar.

Photo / Ellen Von Unsworth

"Eden's part-Maori look is in huge demand overseas. I get requests from New York and Europe for Maori models every week.

"We are all very proud of her."

Bristowe is now en route to Sydney from London for direct bookings, then back to New York next month to showcase her elegant look on the catwalk.