Keeping the young models out of mischief a fulltime job

This year was Grace Hobson's first Fashion Week. Picture / Nigel Marple

It was back to school today for one of Fashion Week's youngest models, 14-year-old Grace Hobson, after her final catwalk show of the week in Auckland last night.

Grace, still giggly from the buzz of the Kate Sylvester show she had finished moments earlier, said her first Fashion Week had been a fun experience and good to have in her growing portfolio.

The Edgewater College student from Pakuranga, Auckland, said none of her friends had been to watch her in the shows.

"No. Embarrassing. They watch it on TV."

Grace said it wasn't too scary in the five catwalk shows she modelled in throughout the week.

"I focus on one camera (at the end of the runway), cos if people look at you I just start laughing."

Her innocence is refreshing in an industry that has received plenty of bad press with the recent drug expose of top British model Kate Moss.

And Grace's father Steve never lets the young teenager out of his sight.

"(She's only 14) and that's why I'm here all the time -- it's not good to make someone else responsible . It's best for her."

And he doesn't mind spending his evenings taking photographs of his daughter.

"It's pretty good, I get the celebrity treatment," he said.

But when Grace showed keen interest in going to the after-party last night by grinning and nodding at the prospect, his enthusiasm started to waver.

"You don't want to go to the party tonight? Surely not?"

Grace works for Nova model agency, who had 50 women and 10 men modelling during the week -- their biggest yearly fashion client.

Nova's director, Caroline Barley, said it was rare to have a model as young as Grace, but that she had the maturity to handle the pressure.

"We're being really careful with what we let her do and not do at the moment.

"We're right in the front line with her -- she doesn't get to go anywhere on her own that one."

Barley said the modelling industry in New Zealand was small and naive compared with the "crazy things that happen in Paris, New York and Milan".

"If we ever get a whiff of any dodgy dealings going on with our models then we deal with it very, very quickly.

"No one can afford, reputation wise in New Zealand, to have any slight on their name."

The models were joined by some famous faces yesterday.

The Pasifika show which kicked-off the third day of Fashion Week saw former All Black Norm Hewitt modelling for designer Charmaine Love.

He was joined on stage by fellow Dancing with the Stars performer Shane Cortese, television presenters Stacey Daniels and Scotty Morrison, and Fear Factor winner Mark Hewlett.

Oscar nominee Keisha Castle-Hughes was also out strutting her stuff in a bright pink ensemble from elegant women's wear designer Liz Mitchell.

The theme continued with flashes of Autumn colour in flowing evening wear by Angela Lewis.

The crowds had to be turned away for designer Kate Sylvester, where Grace and the others glided down the catwalk in the dark-toned winter 2006 collection.

The last show of the day, Modus Operandi men's and women's wear designed by Miriam Clements, was scheduled for Auckland's High Street but rain drove the crowd inside for a high-energy collection of figure-hugging, minimalist garments.

- NZPA