A HALL Green school girl strutted down the catwalk at this year’s Paris Fashion Week after starting her career during lockdown.
All eyes and cameras were on Lilly Uddin as she showcased the Iris Rose London collection, a children’s couture and vintage designer, at her first international show.
After hearing modelling agencies were doing online auditions and castings Lilly’s mum, Husne Begam, decided to put Lilly’s name forward to USI Agency to pass the time during lockdown.
They were pleasantly surprised when the agency started asking for tape requests and Lilly was even pencilled in for jobs.
The eight-year-old then applied for a catwalk run at Hampton Court Palace at the Great British Garden Fashion Show.
It was here she first worked with Laura Carter, a designer at Iris Rose London, who offered Lilly the walk in Paris.
Husne said: “I think I was even more excited than Lilly – Paris Fashion Week was something we saw in magazines and on social media, never expecting to be a part of it.
“When I told Lilly, she was absolutely beside herself because she had never been to Paris before and she loves going on planes.
“For her it was all about having fun which is exactly how it should be.
“It was crazy backstage, just like in the movies. So many models, so many weird and wonderful clothes, make up artists, and camera’s galore.
“Lilly put her beautiful dress on, had her hair and make up done and then it was time to walk the runway.”
Despite Covid restrictions Lilly’s family and school friends at Chilcote Primary School could watch her make her way down the Parisian catwalk as the show was live streamed.
Since the show, Lilly has been featured in magazines such as Elle, Marie Claire and Madame Lefigaro and she had completed another clothing brand photoshoot.
Husne said “Lilly was just happy to be part of it all.
“She didn’t see it for what it was which is one of the biggest fashion events of the year but instead, she got to dress up, miss a few days of school, go to the summit of the Eiffel tower and make new friends.”
