I’ve been struggling to write a review about Australia’s Next Top Model over the past weeks. Now the Rift-Raff have gone and the girls have had their much needed hair make overs, exposed in episode three, it’s clear who the front runners are. Over the past few episodes the girls have strutted their stuff at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week and posed to show their natural beauty in front of a camera.

Here is BLK1′s Top Four girls (this will change weekly).

First Place: Kelsey - She is my favourite so far even though she’s 172cm. Alex Perry calls her a midget but don’t forget she’s taller then Kate Moss and Australia’s current ‘it’ model, Bambi. A Byron Bay beauty with an inner cool chic edge.Her photos are flawless and like Harper Bazaar’s Claudia Navone said, “there’s something special about her”. I don’t think she will win but I hope she goes far.

Second Place: Jessica - A leggy 5Ft 11 stunner. I don’t know what it is about this girl but she has it. Keep an eye out for this one.

Third: Kathryn – She’s an international model in the making. Why hasn’t she been working as a model already??? Kathryn on a catwalk??? It’s a no brainer. Can’t wait to watch her grow.

Fourth: Amanda - I like her. Her personality is sweet and she would make a good commercial model. She reminds me of previous Next Top Model contestant, Kristy Coulcher.

Other models (or reality stars in the making) still in the running include Kimberly (who needs to stop trying to copy off girls from previous seasons. You’re no Cassi Van Den Dungen ) and Paris Hilton look-a-like Sophie. Both girls need a day with June Dally-Watkins. Judges favourite Joanna is interesting but just not sold yet.

Now for the worst models of this year’s season. Please note: I will not be kind. The reality of the modelling industry certainly isn’t.

First: Ashlea – Thank god they got rid of her. She had no model material. Much more like Lindsay Lohan stomping down a catwalk.

Second: Claire – enough said.

Third: Ashton – She may have the measurements and the look but she is a magical flop in front of the camera and really didn’t have the heart for it.

I’m predicting ineloquent sounding Chantal to go in next weeks elimination. She is so boring.

The girls have a long way to go to measure to the likes of the very dull but sensational Alice Burdeu, the superb Clare Venema ( who should be modelling around the world but choose the boring school life of Adelaide) and of course could-be Supermodel Cassi Van Den Dungen.

More to come in following weeks…

Catch Australia’s Next Top Model on Fox 8 every Tuesday from 7.30pm.

Article: SUNNY BURNS

It is always a treat to see Karen Nielsen’s swimwear designs on parade. And although the same collection was presented earlier in the year, the pieces at Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival made a splendid opening to the Splash event. Examining the vintage inspired one-pieces or the high-waisted black bikinis, it is clear that every woman, no-matter their size or shape, will be looking good in a design by Karen Nielsen.

In the only parade at Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival that was totally dedicated to swimwear, the designs of Lisa Maree were sure to make an appearance. Lisa Maree is no stranger to the runways of Australian fashion weeks, but this label is not a fashion veteran yet. The design innovation in the colours and shapes of this swimwear demonstrates that Lisa Maree is a designer on the way up.

Daughter Of The Gods was third onto the runway, but it was the first time most members of the audience had heard of them. The bronzed models were adorned with feathers and fluros. The way the models strutted confidently reflects the mantra of the label. Daughter of The Gods was named after the movie made to tell the story of the first woman who demanded the right to wear comfortable and revealing swimwear.

Hotel Bondi Swim’s collections were oh-so-very Sydney. Within each piece the sights and sounds of Sydney’s world famous beachs and nightspots were echoed loudly.

While Hotel Bondi Swim echoed the sights and sounds of Sydney, Bond-Eye shouted them. The colourful prints on the Bond-Eye fabric sung praises of the hot and floral Australian Summer and the way it is celebrated in Bondi.

Sol Bellow is not a widely known about brand, but, with the way each piece has been designed to flatter every body shape, it will soon be a well known brand to beach-goers. Sol Below spreads design inspiration slink black one-pieces to micro-sized scorching red bikinis. The result of the different colours and shapes made a stimulating catwalk show that got the crowd excited for the Summer ahead.

On a boiling day, there is no better feeling than to drape the body with silk and rest poolside. Colin Heaney’s silk kaftans catored for this desire. There were rain-forrest greens and sunburnt reds flowing down the catwalk. For every different emotion evoked by Summer, Colin Heaney catored with a design.

After seeing the models strut the newest swimwear designs, it became clear that skimpy bikinis are the way to go. For Spring/Summer 2010, modesty comes in the form of a kaftan – to be stripped off in moments of heat. The look to-die-for this season is the same as every summer: a perfectly toned and tanned body with just a whisper of colour to complement the natural physique.

BLK1 Article: ELLEN CROSLEY BLK1 Photographer: www.petersollner.com

Images and Article: © BLK1 2008-2010. All Rights Reserved.