Make me a Victoria's Secret model

zimbio.com via TFS

Frockwriter was wondering just who else might pop up on the NYFW model radar from left of field. And voilà: Shanina Shaik. The 18 year-old runnerup of Australia’s Make Me A Supermodel 2008 walked in at least four New York shows over the weekend: Abaete, Shipley & Halmos, Mara Hoffman and Lorick. Repped by Chadwicks in Australia and now, New York Model Management, Shaik appears to have attracted the attention of not only NY casting directors, but also the host of the US Make Me A Supermodel, Tyson Beckford (pictured ^ with Shaik at last Wednesday's Victoria's Secret party).


shanina shaik @ lorick FW0910/wwd.com

According to model blog Modelinia, Shaik celebrated her 18th birthday on February 11 with Beckford at NY resto Indochine – before heading to the Victoria’s Secret What Is Sexy? party.

In spite of her NY showcard - a mixture to date of predominantly smaller label shows - Shaik seems a little too sexy for the high fashion runway.

But sexy is certainly where much of the modelling money is to be found.

Interestingly, while already compared to VS Angel Miranda Kerr by Make Me A Supermodel Australia judge/Chadwicks ceo Martin Walsh, Modelinia reports that Shaik may now be “under consideration” for Victoria’s Secret.

How many more Australians can VS fit on that runway?

At a party thrown by New York Model Management for the opening night of NYFW at the Grace Hotel, Shaik told Modelinia:

“It would be the ultimate if I worked for Victoria’s Secret. I’ve always had a goal to get there. Hopefully this is my time!”

While Catherine McNeil, Myf Shepherd and Stephanie Carta have been spotted in several shows already, Australia’s Next Top Model Cycle 3 winner Alice Burdeu has yet to materiliase on this season's NY runway.

Burdeu made her international runway debut this time last year, for the FW0809 season, also walking in numerous SS09 shows in September and October.

There was however no sign of Burdeu at the recent haute couture shows in Paris. It’s understood that she may still be in Australia.