Of all the fashionistas who turned the streets of New York into a runway on Fashion's Night Out, one girl proved she has what it takes for the real thing.
Chelsea Rollins was the winner of alice + olivia's second annual walk-in Top Model Competition at their Bryant Park fashion party, giving her the opportunity to be in Tuesday night's 2011 Spring fashion show.
“I was so excited. I was at Barney's and I was about to meet Mary-Kate and Ashley [when they called me], and I just ran here,” the South Carolina native said after the semi-finalist round Friday night.
a + o designer Stacey Bendet hosted and judged the competition with Cheri Bowen of Marilyn Modeling Agency. Sixty-five girls signed up to pose in front of photographers to get their own 15 seconds in the spotlight.
Wearing the designer's long sleeve hunter green “goddess” dress, Rollins fit the profile for an alice + olivia girl.
“Obviously they have to have the look of a model, the height, the beauty, but we also like a girl who knows how to wear clothes and is a bit of her own stylist, too,” Bendet said.
The store was filled with aspiring models and FNO party hoppers that were attracted to the sparkly clothing and free cocktails.
“You have all kinds of people drinking champagne and posing, so it gets a little crazy,” said photographer Brian Boulos, who took snapshots of the aspiring models for the second year.
Two other finalists, Athena Brensberger and Meredith Jacob were announced on Friday night and Rollins found out she made the cut on Saturday. In addition to the spot in the fashion show, Rollins, who is not signed with an agent, is getting a free consultation with Marilyn Modeling.
