Model citizen

By Danielle Galvin
A new modelling school offering pageant training has opened in Berwick, and director Carmen Powell has welcomed the growing interest in pageantry in Australia.
Hitting back at critics, Carmen says that while pageantry is not for everybody, the girls who have started the class have loved every minute of it.
Upcoming models and pageant princesses will have the chance to learn the tricks of the trade at the performing arts school, @Studio Intrepid.
Dancers, drama students and current students of the school have been invited to the first modelling class at @Studio Intrepid in Berwick. Pageant training is also available for tots as well as young adults.
The idea for the modelling school was borne out of a need for a creative space for Berwick up and comers.
“It’s ridiculous to expect people who are interested in modelling to travel all the way to the city.
“We saw a real need for a modelling school in Berwick,” says Carmen Powell, one of the directors of @Studio Intrepid. The modelling school, Tiaras and Top Hats, is a new venture for Carmen, as well as directors Gayle Brooker and Megan Glenwright, who started the Masquerade Performing Arts school five years ago.
While the school has only just opened up, Carmen expects interest to grow in the coming months. She says next year the modeling and pageant training will be expanded to make sure that there are less than 10 girls in each class. This way, the teacher can help the girls individually realise their talents.
“At the moment we only have one class, and we have girls from age five to 18 in it. Next year, we will split them up into age groups, which will be even better,” she said.
Interest from the wider community has been an exhilarating experience for the girls, who have appeared on A Current Affair, the Today Show, Kerrie-Anne’s show, as well as featuring in an article in the Herald Sun newspaper. While pageantry has taken a hit in the media in recent weeks, Carmen explains how pageantry is an extension of the skills taught in modeling.
“When you undertake modeling classes, it’s hard to practice what you’ve learnt. The best way to practice is entering into and competing in a pageant,” she added.
Catherine Manning is a Cardinia activist who organised the Pull the Pin protest, where she invited concerned members of the community to rally against a pageant which will be held in Melbourne in July. While thousands of people turned up to the rally on the steps of parliament, the pageant will go ahead as planned.
“I’m not surprised that there are businesses that will cash in on the pageant craze, it’s a multi-million dollar industry. What concerns me is that these pageants place unnecessary pressure on girls to be the most beautiful and to compete against each other,” she said.
Tiaras and Top Hats is taking enrollments for term 2. @Studio Intrepid located in Intrepid Street Berwick and anyone interested in the Tiaras and Top Hats classes can contact 0459STUDIO.