Taupo, New York ... the world

By EMMA BUTT in Taupo
If you're going to make it in modelling, you need to be in New York - which is exactly where Karla Devine is headed.

After strutting her stuff on the catwalk in Auckland during New Zealand Fashion Week and posing for some of the country's top fashion designers, the Taupo 19-year-old is off to try her luck in the Big Apple.

Clyne Management director Kim Larking believes Karla has what it takes to make it in the fashion industry.

He has decided to take her to New York in April to introduce her to the world's top modelling agencies.

"She's naturally tall, naturally gorgeous, focused and determined," he said.

"She is special enough and precious enough for me to go put her out there."

Karla first started modelling at the age of 14 and has been involved in two fashion weeks since then, has worked for Kate Sylvester, Rodney Wayne, and recently for Chanel.

It's not only her agency which thinks she has the right stuff. Former international catwalk model Angela Dunn picked the then 17-year-old as the most likely model to be catapulted into stardom at the 2004 fashion week.

Karla said she was looking forward to heading to New York, but knew it was going to be tough.

"I've never travelled, so I'm looking forward to it. I'm sure it will be quite a shock when I get there - modelling will be different because there will be so many girls."

Mr Larking said things would be hard for Karla at first but he hoped that by helping her out and giving agencies the right first impression, she would get signed. He said New York was the place to be for models trying to make it.

"I do believe she is destined for big things."

Karla hopes the trip will get her modelling career started but if things haven't worked out within a year, she plans to go to university.

She finished school at Taupo-nui-a-Tia College at the end of last year.

She said she loved modelling and Fashion Week was her favourite time of year.

"It's so much fun."

Karla is expected to stay in New York for three months before coming home to consider her options. If all goes well, the Taupo teenager will move to the United States permanently.

In the meantime, she and her mother have a smaller move on the cards.

The pair are packing up house and setting up in Auckland in two weeks to give Karla the opportunity to do more work before her trip to New York.