Helena Christensen leads the search for Specsavers Spectacle Wearer of the YearA nationwide search is underway to find Australia’s best framed fashionistas, with internationalsupermodel and photographer, Helena Christensen, leading the charge.
The 2011 Specsavers Spectacle Wearer of the Year competition, now in its second year in Australia, celebrates the individual beauty and confidence of those who wear glasses.
Everyone who loves their glasses and enjoys wearing them with style and confidence is encouraged to enter for their chance to be crowned Australia’s most stylish spec wearer for 2011.
This year, the competition has been launched by Ms Christensen who walked at the L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival, looking very glamorous in Specsavers frames.
Ms Christensen will join a cast of judges who represent some of Australia’s finest in the fashion and modelling industry to judge the Specsavers Spectacle Wearer of the Year competition – and will personally photograph this year’s winner in New York!
Ms Christensen said, “I’m really excited to be a part of this year’s Specsavers Spectacle Wearer of the Year. It’s a great initiative that gives people the chance to have fun with showing how interesting they look in their spectacles.
“We’ve always known about geek chic but glasses are now hotter than ever as a style accessory. Specs are having a revival and are now recognised as the perfect accessory to shake up and transform your look – plus it's obviously a pretty cool bonus to be able to get a sharper view of the world,” said Ms Christensen.
“As a judge, I’ll be looking not just for someone who looks original and confident in their glasses, but I am also really excited about looking at the images from a photographer's point of view, the style, composition and atmosphere of the photos.
“The Specsavers Spectacle Wearer of the Year competition provides a great opportunity for talented and gorgeous specs wearers to catch the eye of the modelling industry, and could help to fast-track their way to a successful career.”
Ms Christensen continued, “As a photographer, I can appreciate a face that expresses uniqueness and versatility, and spectacle wearers should feel confident about their specs being a great accessory in complimenting these unique features.”
Photographing people wearing spectacles can have its obstacles, admits Ms Christensen, who provides the following tips for entrants:
• It’s all about the light – lighting will have a dramatic effect on the look and feel of a photograph. Bright directional lighting will cast hard shadows and highlight imperfections, but could give you an edgier look. Diffused light is flattering and will give you a softer image. Think about the effect you are trying to create;• The eyes have it – eyes can be a model’s best asset but a camera flash will tend to bounce off your lenses, causing a flare that hides your eyes. If you plan to use a flash, watch for reflections on your lenses;
• Make a style statement – specs are a bold statement so think about how they work with your overall style and try to create a cohesive look;
• Just be yourself, or a version of yourself you feel comfortable with - even if you feel slightly vulnerable when having your picture taken, it might not be a bad thing. It creates a certain intimacy, which is always a beautiful thing in a photograph.
Ms Christensen joins a respected line up of fashion and media identities to judge the 2011 Specsavers Spectacle Wearer of the Year, including: Alex Perry, Grant Pearce, Leea Charlwood and Melissa Hoyer.
Pernilla Algede, Head of Frame Styling at Specsavers added, “We’re delighted to welcome Ms Christensen as part of the 2011 Specsavers Spectacle Wearer of the Year competition – she is the epitome of high fashion and timeless style, and is a great ambassador for glasses. We see so many people who look fabulous in their glasses – it’s their time to shine and be recognised and make sure that specs appeal is celebrated!”
The winner of the Specsavers Spectacle Wearer of the Year will receive a priceless start to their modelling career. Not only will they be flown to New York to be personally photographed by Ms Christensen, they will also receive a 12 month modelling contract courtesy of Scoop Model Management. The winner and finalists will each receive cash prizes as well as hair and makeup products from TRESemmé and NP Set.
The competition is open to men and women aged 18 and over, who are either current specs wearers or wear glasses for fashion purposes. Entries are now open until 18 July. Applicants should register online at www.specsavers.com.au/competition or drop into their local Specsavers store.