An Aussie elegance

By Jen Melocco
January 24, 2008 06:00am

THE Paris haute couture shows may highlight the best of French fashion but it is top Australian models who are working the looks down the catwalk.

Catherine McNeil, 18, is the latest Oz model to hit the fashion world centre stage, appearing in five shows for the world’s top designers.

Yesterday the model, who is managed by Sydney model agency Chic, appeared in the deep sea-inspired Chanel show, wore fashion fantasy pieces at French designer Christian Lacroix and finished the day in sleek statement pieces at Givenchy.

“This is my first couture week and the dresses are amazing,” Catherine said from Paris.

The New York-based Queenslander has made a meteoric rise on the fashion front in the past 12 months — being heralded for bringing back classic beauty to the modelling world and fronting a Versace campaign with Kate Moss.

But she said the world of couture, where made-to-measure dresses are created for an estimated 200 seriously rich clients internationally, was a world apart: “I didn’t even know that anything like this existed.

“The clothes and everything are so over the top.”

Those decadent looks included a brilliant collection from Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld that was inspired by the beauty of shells found at the bottom of the sea.

Soft shell tones dominated in the collection, which was strong on mid-length skirts teamed with shell-like versions of the classic Chanel jacket and delicate soft-toned cocktail dresses and gowns, all worn with simple flats.

It was colour that made its mark at Christian Lacroix.

Bold tones from sunshine yellow to fuschia pink were weaved into decadent dresses that ran riot — from puff-sleeved polka dot print day numbers to multi-tiered cocktail dresses.

Simple, beautiful styles were also on show at Givenchy, with McNeil wowing in a fun and flirty version of the little black dress.

It has been a big week for Australian girls on the Paris runway.

Two other girls from Chic have made it big in the shows — Mosman teenager Alexandra Agostan and newcomer Hayley Magnus who appeared for Giorgio Armani.

Catherine, a car mechanics’ honey

Her decision to be a model over a mechanic … was a blow to the automotive industry, but every grease monkey now has the chance to have Catherine McNeil in their workshop.

HER decision to be a model instead of a mechanic was a blow to the automotive industry but every grease monkey in the country now has the chance to have Catherine McNeil in their workshop.

The striking Aussie model is sure to be a favourite as the cover girl and Miss January in tyre giant Pirelli’s famous calendar, which was launched in Sydney yesterday.
“I wanted to be a mechanic to work with motorbikes,” McNeil told fashion editor Jen Melocco.
“Now I could afford one but my agents wouldn’t let me ride it.”
The New York-based beauty joins a prestigious pack, with Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell and Naomi Watts among the stunners who have previously posed for Pirelli.
Fellow Aussie Gemma Ward also appears in this year’s offering.
“Over the last 35 years many of the biggest names in modelling and film have posed for the calendar, so it’s an amazing feeling to now be included in that list,” McNeil said.
Launching the calendar Down Under marks McNeil’s first day back on the job after a month hanging out with family and friends in her home state of Queensland.
During her much-deserved break the jetsetting model of the moment savoured the simple things – such as wearing thongs instead of high heels and indulging in Cadbury chocolate.
But now it is back to the whirlwind life of an in-demand model.
She jets out to India today for a modelling job for the Australian edition of Vogue before heading back to New York and a starring role in New York Fashion Week.

Catherine McNeil makes the cover of Pirelli Calendar

COVER girl . . . Catherine McNeil in Sydney to launch the 2008 Pirelli Calendar.

Amy Harris
January 04, 2008 11:00pm

BRISBANE’S Catherine McNeil continued her climb to the top of international modelling yesterday, arriving in Sydney to launch the 2008 Pirelli Calendar after she was handpicked to grace its cover.

The 18-year-old former Logan local is only the fourth Aussie to feature in the calendar which has become famous for its artistic portraits of female models and celebrities.

Actress Naomi Watts graced its pages in 2006 while another Brisbane beauty, Lisa Seifert, was Miss March in 2002.

Despite the hype around the publication, the Pirelli Calendar is not for sale.

Only 10,000 are printed annually and distributed to a select list of VIPs which includes Prince Charles and U2 frontman Bono.

Shot by acclaimed photographer Mario Testino, the 2008 version features two Aussies, with McNeil joined by Perth supermodel – and rumoured girlfriend of Heath Ledger – Gemma Ward.

The 20-year-old from Western Australia was a notable absentee from yesterday’s launch at the Inter-Continental Hotel, with Ward choosing to remain on holiday in her home town.

McNeil, however, starred at the calendar launch where she was joined by Pirelli boss Francesco Gori.

“It’s a great honour as a model to be asked to pose for the Pirelli calendar, and I was thrilled to be involved in this year’s shoot” McNeil said.

Catherine was on Australia’s morning show, Sunrise today to promote the Pirelli calendar.

You can view the calendar at http://www.pirellical.com

You can also view the interview at: http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/b/sunrise/2288/australias-next-supermodelcatherine-mcneil/#