MODEL SEARCH IS OVER FACE OF ….NE1’S NEWCASTLE FASHION WEEK – WINNER ANNOUNCED

18 year old student Bethan Sproat from Blyth has been crowned winner of NE1’s inaugural model search for the Face of…NE1’s Newcastle Fashion Week 2014. Now in its 4^th year, NE1’s Newcastle Fashion Week showcases the fashion industry in Newcastle and the North East from the best of retail through to the award winning fashion and design departments at the city’s Northumbria University and Newcastle College. Bethan beat off stiff competition to gain the title that will see her face emblazoned across posters, programmes and adverts publicising this year’s event which takes place across the city from 9 – 17 May 2014. The winner was chosen after the three shortlisted finalists took part in a photo shoot to capture the image that will be used in all publicity material. The would be models were styled in garments created by fashion design students from Northumbria University following a brief from fashion footwear brand, Dr Martens and photographed by award winning photographer, Eric Murphy. Announcing the winner, Sandra Tang, Marketing and Events Manager at NE1 Ltd said: “We’re delighted to name Bethan as Face of… this year’s NE1’s Newcastle Fashion Week.    Her photographs are extremely striking and stood out from the other girls.  The decision was tough because the quality of entries was staggeringly high and all the girls did exceptionally well during the photo shoot.  The next step will be to transform the winning image into publicity material for the week including an events programme with a print run of over 7,000 which will be distributed to homes across the city. “Prepare to see a lot more of Bethan in the run up to and during this year’s NE1 NFW – her face will adorn posters, adverts and leaflets and she will grace the catwalk in several events during what promises to be the best ever NE1’s Newcastle Fashion Week 2014. The 3 student finalists were 18 year old Bethan Sproat from Blyth in Northumberland, a 2^nd year college student, Vikki Bell, from Edinburgh, 21, studying at Newcastle University and 20 year old Lauren Marshall, also from Blyth who studies at Newcastle University and is currently in the final 50 of a modelling competition for international clothing brand, Hollister. Bethan was chosen as the overall winner by a judging panel including Sandra Tang, Marketing and Events Manager at NE1 Ltd and Alisia Murphy, Casting Director at Boho Models. For all the details of what on and where during NE1’s Newcastle Fashion Week log on to www.getintonewcastle.co.uk/nfw