This past week has been one of controversy, celebrations, accusations and of course, the crowning of Australia’s Next Top Model.

 Winner Demelza Reveley (left) & Runner Up Alexandra Girdwood

16 Year old Demelza Reveley stood up to 21 year old Alexandra Girdwood and claimed the title before a live audience at Luna Park in Sydney on Tuesday evening.

Unfortunately for Demelza, her glory has been plagued with a myriad of complaints to Fox8, scathing members of online forums and letters to newspapers nation wide furious that the Charlotte Dawson christened ‘Dapto Dog’ took out the competition.

Followers of the program (and any prime time current affairs show for that matter) would be well aware of the bullying scandal that erupted midway through the competition which pointed the finger at Reveley and her followers as they ruthlessly targeted quietly spoken contestant Alamela Rowan.

 Alamela Rowan

Footage of Reveley pouring water over Rowan’s head, waking her up in the middle of the night, making snarky comments in her direction along with claims of other tasteless pranks were aired nation-wide resulting in many calling for Reveley to be kicked out of the competition.

As the results dictated, Miss Reveley was not removed from the show, however she was reprimanded, and apologised several times for her behaviour, claiming that she is “really grateful to have the opportunity to learn from her mistakes”.

So the question remains – are Demelza’s critics ready to accept her as Australia’s Next Top Model? The possibility that “things were blown out of proportion” as Reveley claimed, is not something that anyone who was not in victim Rowan’s shoes can really answer. Bullying is an issue that affects each person differently, and what may not be a big deal for some, can be traumatising for others.

 Reveley For Alex Perry @ RAFW (2threads/Limuel Inc)

It appears as though the media has really clutched this bullying scandal and used it as its main premise in reporting the goings on in the top model house. However because of this, the actual purpose of the program has been completely forgotten – the transformation of young ladies with a dream of making it in the ruthless world of fashion.

Over the 11 weeks, the public was privy to far more than teenage girls behaving in a manner that many of us can say we have either partaken in or have witnessed. Viewers were treated to an array of beautiful fashions by the likes of Alex Perry, Flamingo Sands and Marnie Skillings and breathtaking photo shoots.

Cycle 4 Contestants (google images)

Seeing as Australia’s Next Top Model isn’t titled Australia’s Next Top Bitch, I have decided to steer away from all of the negativity that has shrouded the program, and have attempted to investigate the many positives that a show such as this can bring to the contestants and those who are able to work with them.

Limuel Martine, a Sydney based photographer (and regular 2Threads contributer)  was kind enough to share some of his thoughts with me after attending the finale in Sydney on Tuesday evening.

I asked Limuel straight out as to how he perceived the infamous Demelza and to be honest I was pleasantly surprised when he said she came across as being “polite, girly and quite shy”, which was definitely not what I expected to hear.

Jamie Lee (google images)

Limuel found Alex to carry herself in a very “regal” manner and that she oozed confidence and appeared to have a very strong will to make it in this business. He believes that several of the girls have an excellent chance to make it in the modelling world, citing that he felt that Jamie could excel in the field of commercial modelling.

 Caris Eaves (www.throng.com.au)

Limuel appreciated that the girls in the group all had different strengths. When asked who he’d like to photograph, he mentioned Alex and Rebecca, yet in different genres, Bec in a more casual street fashion sense and Alex in a ‘Harpers Bazaar’ type high fashion shoot.  He found Caris Eaves, based in Perth and already signed with Chadwick's models, to excel in print, and also mentioned Samantha Downie's recent sucess in being signed and landing a gig as the face of Gail Elliott's range Little Joe.

 Samantha Downie (www.smh.com.au)

So who was Limuel’s pick for the models that will make internationally? Kristy Coulcher. Yep, that’s right, one of the first to go in this season’s competition.  Limuel also stated that he found Alex to have a very international look and that she had a great shot at overseas success.  We’ll just have to wait and see if his prediction is correct. 

 Kristy Coulcher For Wayne Cooper @ RAFW (2Threads/Limuel Inc)

Ah, how refreshing to chat to someone regarding the Top Model girls who is actually in the know, yet still has an objective opinion...

Another industry insider who has undoubtedly felt the pressure this week is Vogue Australia editor Kirstie Clements. The Vogue forums have been ablaze this week with angry forumites determined to make their views known as to their outrage that Reveley was declared the winner of Cycle 4. Clements (whose vote went to Alexandra on the night) responded in an article on the Vogue website outlining her thoughts on the matter.

Kirstie made it clear that although Demelza would receive her prize and shoot an editorial for Vogue, she would not be landing a cover like Alice Burdeu did last year, “Alice was such an exceptional case,” Clements said. “It was clear from the very beginning that she had the makings of an international model.” Clements also spoke out regarding the alleged bullying throughout the series stating that “such behaviour is not something Vogue represents”.

 Last Years Winner Alice Burdeu (google images)

So what is next for our newly crowned Top Model? Apart from shooting her Vogue spread, and signing with Priscilla’s Model Management, will we see Demelza walking at Melbourne Spring Fashion week? Will we see any of the Top Model Alumni parading down the runway clad in the upcoming Spring/Summer collections?

In order to be a Top Model, one must exude elegance and class in all facets. Whether it is on the runway, in a photo shoot or dealing with her peers. Only time will tell if Reveley has indeed learned a lesson from her mistakes, and that she can prove herself worthy among the Australian set. We’ll all be watching I’m sure.


Thank You:
www.vogue.com.au
Limuel Martine (LimuelInc)
Google Images