Following the coveted Grand Final at The Grand Hotel, Brighton on 4th September 2015, aspiring models Layla Harris and Will Glover have been crowned the male and female winners of the hallowed Next Hotel Model UK 2015 competition, walking away with a life-changing two year modelling contract with FIRST Model Management and a destination photoshoot in The Seychelles.
The beauty of the South of England was explored and no stone was left unturned in the search to find The Next Hot Model UK 20I5.
Throughout February to April the annual Next Hot Model Competition 2015 held heats across 8 of the major towns, cities and festivals of the South from Bristol and Portsmouth, right over to Brighton and Eastbourne and up to Croydon in a bid to find aspiring and unsigned models who dream of ditching the high street for the cat walk and enter the glossy world of high-fashion. Run in partnership with the London-based and internationally-acclaimed boutique model management company FIRST Model Management London and multiple influential media partners, the project aims to discover and mentor potential male and female models, offering them a platform to showcase their talent and launch their careers in the fashion industry.
Teams of talent scouts travelled through town centres, supermarkets, malls and events casting their professional eye over the South’s beautiful people, signing up over 2000 entrees to the competition. One hundred hopefuls were then shortlisted, with a final top 15 males and 15 females entered into the Grand Final Catwalk Show.
Held at the prestigious Grand Hotel Brighton on 4th September 2015, the Grand Final Catwalk offered the lucky 30 the exciting opportunity of strutting their stuff in front of a panel of the UK’s media and fashion experts, including Dean Goodman, Casting Director of The Goodman Creative, esteemed fashion photographer Darren Black, Gareth Roberts, Director of FIRST Models London, Robert Stambolija, Owner of Finest Model Management and finally the force behind the whole event, Next Hot Model UK Founder Fatosh Kalan.
The Grand Final saw a night of VIP glamour and excitement featuring stunning fashion shows from the 2015 finalists parading clothing collections from Café Bleu Clothing, Walk in Wardrobe, and RTH London with hair and makeup by Forde Hair, Brighton and Beyond Foundation. Guests were also entertained by incredible live performances throughout the evening including opera legend Miss Kyla White and upcoming sensation Larissa Eddie fresh from supporting Lionel Richie on his UK tour, both transfixing the guests with their commanding performances.
Finally, the winners of the title were announced with Will Glover and Layla Harris scooping the top spots and strutted away with an incredible once in a lifetime prize; a luxurious trip and professional photo shoot in the paradise destination of the Seychelles Islands, compliments of the NHM hotel partners and a two year modelling contract with FIRST Model Management London. Also placed were Lois and Stefan in second position, Amber Smith and Michael in third and Betsy and Max as the ‘People’s Choice’.
“This year competition was great in my opinion. I met a lot of great personalities, especially the winners of both the male and female categories. I am looking forward to work with them and watch how they will become successful in model industry.” – Robert Stambolija, Owner – Finest Model Management
“The talent in this year’s contest was a very high standard in my opinion, I could cast some models straight into jobs for editorial, shows and campaigns. I look forward to seeing how they grow and meeting them at some of my castings.” – Dean Goodman, Casting Director – The Goodman Creative,
Due to the very high level of the talent at this year’s Next Hot Model UK 2015 Grand Final, the judges were pleased to be able to announce that First Model Management (London) will also be offering full contracts to the 2nd and 3rd place runners-up in both the male and female categories, together with the ‘People’s Choice’ male and female award winners.
“Next Hot Model UK was such an amazing experience. It was terrifying but at the same time so exciting. Everyone was so lovely and we all got on so well. All of the contestants were so supportive of each other which really helped when getting on the catwalk. It was such a weird yet amazing feeling when they called my name, I couldn’t believe it.” – Layla Harris – Female Winner of Next Hot Model UK 2015
