FORD Models announced the winner and runners up of the 2004 FORD Supermodel of the World Contest held. Narrowed down from more than 60,000 applicants worldwide, 44 finalists from 44 countries competed in New York City this past week to win one of three possible contracts with FORD Models in the FORD Supermodel of the World Contest.
Camila Finn, a 13-year-old 5’9” brunette from Brazil, beat 43 other girls to win the top prize, a $250,000 modeling contract with FORD Models. Along with the top prize two other contracts were awarded at the final event on January 12 at the FORD Tunnel, Otilia Aionesei of Romania took home second prize of a $150,000 contract and Ingrid Schram of Canada secured the third prize of a $100,000 FORD Modeling contract.
“Recognizing raw talent has always been a priority for FORD,” said Katie Ford, CEO of FORD Models. “Finding new faces that embody the latest fashion trends has kept FORD at the forefront of the industry for nearly 60 years. We are thrilled to have discovered Camila, Otilia and Ingrid and look forward to representing them.”
The worldwide contest concluded on Wednesday, January 12 at the FORD Tunnel with a full-scale fashion show in which each of the 44 finalists walked the catwalk in three looks from designer names such as CK, Lotta Stensson, Narciso Rodriguez and Denim with LYCRA®. The contestants were judged by a panel of fashion’s most influential tastemakers including: FORD Model’s Eileen Ford, Katie Ford and John Caplan, Vogue’s Kate Armenta, ELLE magazine’s Nina Garcia, The Fashion Police’s Robert Verdi, Pia Maria Sandos of Isadora, George Sterling of Models.com and supermodels Ines Rivero and Patricia Velasquez among others.
“I don’t think there is one essential thing that makes a woman beautiful,” model mogul Katie Ford told FWD, “There is just some kind of mix and that’s why there are a lot of different people with different kinds of beauty.”
Last year’s winner, Ukrainian beauty Nataliya Gotsii, appeared in a feminine Gucci dress. The green-eyed brunette talked about her experience as the ’Supermodel’ and her hectic schedule.
“I just arrive[d] two days ago and I have job tomorrow and then I go back to Paris for Haute Couture, and then I go back for Pret-a-Porter, and then Milan and then Paris, hah! And then after Paris again? I go back to New York for editorials! Whoever wins? She [has] to be ready to work!”
“I like her. I wish her the best,” said Gotsii about the winner Camila Finn after the competition was over. “This year I can now do everything, like yes, okay, ’Supermodel of the World’ but now I am Nataliya Gotsii, you know? All these girls. They are very beautiful. They are going to be very busy.”