TORONTO - A Toronto teen has been selected to represent Canada in what's touted as the largest and most prestigious competition in the modelling world.
Shelby Furber has been crowned Ford Supermodel of Canada and will participate in the renowned Ford Supermodel of the World competition next January.
The winner of the international contest will be awarded a US$250,000 contract with Ford Models.
The 15-year-old was awarded the Canadian title following a runway show with five fellow finalists at Toronto's historic Distillery District last week.
The results were officially revealed during a one-hour television special airing Wednesday night on Citytv which included highlights from the nationwide search and the finale.
Ford Models went to Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Halifax in April and May in search of fresh-faced hopefuls from across the country.
The five-foot-10 Furber said she had no previous modelling experience prior to the competition, and it was actually her mother who started the online submission to Ford.
Held in 50 countries around the globe, the Ford Supermodel of the World search is the first talent search of its kind, and has helped to discover some of the most notable new stars in the fashion world.
Past Canadian winners of the competition include Leanne Spencer in 1996, Monika Schnarre in 1986 and "Battlestar Galactica" star Tricia Helfer in 1992.
Finalists have included Ingrid Schram of Kelowna, B.C., in 2005 and Toronto natives Bojana Reljic in 2006 and Kate Somers in 2007.
