Deadline Is Saturday in Latino Model Search
Registration for the 1994 Hispanic Designers Model Search continues through Saturday at JCPenney stores in the Buena Park Mall, The City Shopping Center in Orange, South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, the Mall of Orange, Westminster Mall and Brea Mall.
Young men and women of Latino descent can register to participate in the annual event sponsored by Hispanic Designers Inc. and JCPenney.
The sixth annual event will honor hundreds of young Latinos nationwide.
Thirty-four semi-finalists from participating JCPenney markets will compete in the National Hispanic Designers Model Search to be held in Dallas on Sept. 9. Two national grand winners (male and female) and two runners-up will be selected to represent Hispanic Designers Inc. and JCPenney on the runway as well as in selected print and broadcast advertisements.
The national winners will also receive a $2,500 scholarship from the two sponsors. Runners-up will receive a $1,500 scholarship. National winners will also be awarded a one-year scholarship to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, a $1,000 JCPenney wardrobe, a Juvenia gold watch, fragrance packages from Elizabeth Taylor’s Passion and gifts from Colores Para Ti cosmetics. National runners-up will receive a $500 JCPenney wardrobe and other prizes.
“This program encourages participants to pursue their education, and it provides an exciting and glamorous introduction to the world of fashion and modeling,” says Penney’s Patricia Asip.
Following the model search, winners will have the opportunity to take the runway at the annual Hispanic Designers Gala & Fashion Show held in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 29. There, they will model from the fashion collections of such top designers as Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta and Paloma Picasso.
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To participate in the search, men and women of Latino descent must be age 16 to 22 and have a non-professional modeling status. (Registrants under 18 require consent from parent or legal guardian to apply.) Applications can be obtained from JCPenney departments stores in Orange, Los Angeles and San Diego counties.
Winners selected from these markets will be flown to Dallas.
Hispanic Designers Inc. is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to recognizing Latino talent and cultural contributions. The honorary board includes such designers as Adolfo, Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera and Paloma Picasso.
Proceeds from the Washington, D.C. Hispanic Designers Gala & Fashion Show will benefit the HDI programs, which help Latino students with scholarships. HDI also sponsors a summer internship program.
“As Hispanic Designers celebrates our 10th anniversary, we enter a new decade with enthusiasm and commitment to improve opportunities for young people,” says president Penny Harrison. “Working with a major retailing force like JCPenney is an integral part of increasing the awareness of and rewarding the talent that lies within the Hispanic community.”
