Face of AFF 2014 Launch

On Thursday evening, the 21st of August, 200 guests attended the exclusive invitation-only event - "Face of the 2014 Adelaide Fashion Festival Launch", held at the Tandanya Indigenous Art Museum, and I was given the opportunity to be one of those invited.

Throughout the night excitement grew quickly amongst the crowd as we sipped our champagne, whilst viewing some gorgeous Indigenous art that covered the walls of this VIP event. We also admired some amazing pieces from local Indigenous designers modelled by 4 other Finesse beauties. Though before we knew it the moment we had all been waiting for had finally arrived.

(Pictured above: Amelia and Katarina as she made her first appearance as the Face of the 2014 AFF)

Silence filled the room with everyone's attention focused on Amelia (channel 7) dressed in a stunning dress by Georgia Guy, as she made the announcement, the face of the Adelaide Fashion Festival 2014 is.... Katarina Keeler. 

Standing at 5"10, Miss Keeler elegantly graced the runway wearing a flawless gown by Jaimie Sortino, and a beautiful vintage necklace borrowed by the AFF coordinator Cristina Tridente. The crowd was then welcomed to get up close for photos and any questions we may have had. 

(Pictured above: Katarina with designer Jaimie Sortino and AFF coordinator Cristina Tridente)

Katarina is a gorgeous indigenous 20year old who had no intention in persuing a career in modelling, until she was scouted by Finesse Models director Brigette Mitchell at Westfield Marion for the Finesse & IMG Model Search last year. "I wasn't going to try out for the Finesse & IMG search, but I walked past and Brigette hunted me down and within the week I was signed and it all went from there" says Keeler, when asked how her modelling career got started.

Since signing to Finesse, Keeler has found herself not only modelling in SA but also in Sydney for the first Indigenous Fashion Week in April, where she modeled along side the equally beautiful Samantha Harris.

So how did she get chosen to be the face of The Adelaide Fashion Festival 2014? "The director (of finesse) Brigette put across an application and I did some test shots and two weeks later I found out I was going to be the face. I'v been holding this secret for a while so it's good to finally let it out" Although it was a tightly kept secret who the face would be Keeler was able to tell her family and very few of her close friends.

(Pictured above: Myself at the 2014 AFF Face Launch wearing a piece from the latest Cameo collection Animalia) 

Everyone who was lucky enough to attend can agree that it was an amazing night with an incredible atmosphere to kick off the excitement for the 2014 AFF. 

2014 Adelaide Fashion Festival is presented by the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters and The Parade, Norwood.

All images are my own.

| Dress: Cameo The Label | Boots: Siren | Bag: Guess | Watch: Michael Kors |