Lana, a model of good health

Five months ago, television personality Lana Coc-Kroft was fighting for her life against a rare and deadly virus.

The former beauty queen and mother of two contracted an infection from a coral cut while filming Celebrity Treasure Island in Fiji and spent nine days in a coma.

But yesterday, all memories of her health scare were swept aside as she took to the boards as a celebrity model on the first day of New Zealand Fashion Week.

Fashion goers took several moments to recognise a healthy looking Coc-Kroft as she stepped out in an outfit for Catalyst before giving her a round of applause.

After the show, Coc-Kroft said she was feeling "back to normal" after surviving the near-fatal virus that had her confined to a hospital bed for weeks. She twice went into toxic shock as doctors battled to save her, and her heart, lungs and liver shut down.

"The funny thing is that I have almost forgotten about being sick and I am feeling so healthy, which is why the designer asked me to be a part of the show. It's great to be able to walk down the catwalk when it was such a struggle to even take a step when I was sick."

Coc-Kroft, who wore two separate outfits in the 1920s bohemian-styled collection, says her main motivation for modelling at Fashion Week, sponsored by Air New Zealand, was to encourage other women to support New Zealand-made clothing.

"New Zealand fashion is affordable and wearable and is recognised internationally for its quality and integrity," she said.

Catalyst designer Laurinda Sutcliffe says she was keen to include Coc-Kroft in her show because she represents the label's customers.

"She's a gorgeous, healthy woman who really looks after herself. She has a family but maintains her own adventurous part of her life."

Yesterday's show will be the only outing for Coc-Kroft this week.

She intends to have a spectator-only role at Fashion Week from now on.

"I had fun modelling, but I am glad it's a one-off and not a fulltime job."

Herald Feature: Fashion Week

Fashion Week photo gallery

NZ Fashion Week - official site