Ford Models Kicks Off Search for Future Supermodel of Canada

Beauty and fashion partners launch coast-to-coast Beauty Trends Workshops for Ford Supermodel of the World hopefuls

Ford Models, the world's leading modelling agency, partners with Maybelline, Diesel and Redken to hold a Canada-wide model search throughout April and May in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Halifax. Ford Models scouts will search among fresh-faced hopefuls to find its next Ford Supermodel of Canada to represent Canada at the Supermodel of the World competition in January 2009.

"We're very excited to get out there and see some of Canada's most interesting and beautiful faces," says Mitch Grossbach, Senior Vice-President of Business and Corporate Development at Ford Models. "Ford's models represent the ultimate expression of individual beauty and we are looking forward to discovering future talent with our partners from Maybelline, Diesel and Redken."

The Ford Supermodel of the World search is the first talent search of its kind and continues to be, not only the largest and most prestigious competition, but also the industry leader in the continuous global search for fresh new faces. Held in 50 countries around the world, past model discoveries include some of today's brightest stars of the fashion world such as Chanel Iman and Liliane Ferrarezi. Ford Models will hold searches in regions where past winners have included Leanne Spencer (1996) from Winnipeg, Monika Schnarre (1986) from Toronto, Tricia Helfer (1992) from Calgary, and finalists Ingrid Schram (2005) from Kelowna, Bojana Reljic (2006) and Kate Somers (2007) both from Toronto.

Pre-registered participants will meet with the Ford Models scouts and have the opportunity to hear these industry veterans offer their assessment and advice. Throughout the day, Ford Models partners Maybelline, Diesel and Redken will invite participants and their families to take part in an extra special experience, the Beauty Trends Workshops. Each of the event sponsors will provide demonstrations and preview spring/summer beauty and fashion trends. Redken experts will focus on hair products to help create the latest hairstyles while Maybelline artists will guide participants on how to wear and apply this season's must-have makeup colours and looks. Diesel stylists will be on hand to provide an interactive Diesel denim experience.

How To Register

Interested girls are welcome to go online at www.fordmodels.tv and register as a participant. The Ford Supermodel of Canada search kicks off April 12th in Vancouver and continues in Toronto on April 26th, Montreal on May 3rd, Calgary on May 10th, and Halifax on May 31st. Finalists will be contacted at a later date to attend the Ford Supermodel of the Canada final event in Toronto.

About Ford Models

Ford Models Inc. is the leading management company for models and hair and make-up artists globally, representing talent worldwide for more than 60 years. Legendary fashion industry pioneers Eileen and Jerry Ford founded the company in 1947. The agency's ongoing vision and ability to recognize talent has launched the careers of stars including: Carmen, Candace Bergen, Cheryl Tiegs, Ali McGraw, Tippi Hedron, Jennifer Connelly, Lindsay Lohan, Kirsten Dunst and Mischa Barton, as well as successfully managed the careers of many others. Currently Ford's roster includes: Chanel Iman, Brad Kroenig, Flavia de Oliveira, Patricia Velasquez, Nacho Figueras, and Crystal Renn. The company's websites can be found at www.fordmodels.com and www.fordartists.com.

Ford Models media creates and syndicates useful and entertaining content featuring Ford talent that provides an insider's how-to guide to beauty and fashion. Ford Media operates a weekly email newsletter to hundreds of thousands of members of the Ford Models community and has more than 30 distribution partners, representing more than 95 percent of U.S. online traffic. The content can be viewed through numerous distribution partners including: MySpace, Yahoo, MSN, YouTube, iVillage, Sony Bravia I-Link, Verizon Vcast, Sprint Wireless, Helio Mobile, Joost, Veoh, Vmix, Revver, Mochila, Brightcove, Blip.tv, MTV, Current.tv, Hulu, and the agency's own www.fordmodels.tv.

This year, more than 50 countries will participate in Ford Models' Supermodel of the World scouting events. Aspiring models from around the globe compete for a $250,000 Ford contract with the international finals scheduled for mid-January 2009. Behind the scenes activity of the yearlong contest can be viewed at www.fordmodels.tv.

Ford Models Inc. is headquartered in New York City with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami, Milwaukee, Scottsdale, Toronto, Paris, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

About Maybelline New York

Maybelline New York is the number one global cosmetics brand and is available in over 90 countries worldwide. Offering more than 200 products, Maybelline New York combines technologically advanced formulas with on-trend expertise to create accessible cosmetics with a cool, urban edge. For information on product launches, special offers and seasonal trends, visit www.maybellinenewyork.ca.

About Diesel

Diesel has long been a leading pioneer in denim and casual fashion, known for moving outside and ahead of trends in its industry. While always retaining its DNA, in recent years Diesel has evolved into the world of premium casual wear, becoming a true alternative to the established luxury market. Despite Diesel's extraordinary growth, its philosophy is the same as when Renzo Rosso created it in 1978: he envisaged a brand that would stand for passion, individuality and

self-expression. Diesel is headquartered in Molvena, Italy and is now present in more than 80 countries with 5,000 points of sale.

About Redken

Redken is a leading manufacturer of professional haircare, styling and haircolour products, where superior technology is balanced with the industry's best educators and a street sense of fashion that keeps Redken on the cutting edge. Redken is available and guaranteed only at fine salons in Canada. To learn more visit redken.ca where all the latest Redken information, downloadable images and product specifications can be found. Consumers can call 1.866.9.REDKEN or log onto www.redken.ca to locate a Redken salon. Redken supports One X One, a foundation committed to eliminating child poverty here and abroad. GET INSPIRED. SEE YOUR STYLIST. REDKEN 5TH AVENUE.

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