Timaru models return from New York with own fashion collections

New York catwalk glamour is being brought home to Timaru, as two debuting models get their own international fashion collections.

Eight-year-old Sarah Young and her 65-year-old stepfather Trevor Norton made their runway debuts at New York Fashion Week this year and, as a result of contacts made, will now both have their own clothing lines.

Musa Fashion, with headquarters based in the Philippines, and Neals Clothing, of West Virginia, are busy working on a series of garments for Sarah Young, and Musa is exclusively working on a range for her ‘accidental-model’ stepfather Trevor Norton.

“We’re a coat hanger. We’re not to be seen for ourselves, we’re there to carry the product as best as we can and make it look the best we can,” Norton said.

READ MORE:
* Young Timaru model on New York Fashion Week catwalk
* Timaru girl to walk New York Fashion Week runway

The collections will be named the Sarah Young Collection and Trev’s Senior Collection. The father and daughter will receive a percentage of online sales when the collections get to market, which is expected to be as soon as next month.

Sarah Young modelled for Musa and Grace Steadfast fashion lines at New York Fashion Week, and Norton also got his runway debut in New York after walking the catwalk to encourage his nervous stepdaughter. He also walked for Musa in front of the audience of more than 1000 at Hotel Edison’s ballroom in Times Square.

“It was the first time I’ve worn make up. I felt like I’d been embalmed and ready for the casket. I’m sure my old workmates would appreciate that story,” Norton said.

He expected going under the spotlights, and into a sea of flashing camera bulbs would have been intimidating but found it wasn’t.

Learning modelling techniques, he said he focused on the end point he was walking towards on the runway and took the applause in his stride.

“I wanted Sarah to know if I can do it she can do it. Once she was out there she crashed it,” Norton said.

Sarah’s mother, Mto​ Olivares, said itseeing her daughter on the catwalk at such a prestigious event brough tears to her eyes.

Sarah said she had found the experience “fine” and enjoyed meeting new people.

“The clothes were nice, but some were itchy,” she said.

Her image was displayed on two giant billboards in Times Square during fashion week.

“That was exciting,” she said.

A visit to West Virginia during their trip saw Sarah attend Geary Elementary Middle School for a few weeks, which she found quite different to Timaru’s Sacred Heart School which she usually attends.

“It was harder (at Geary),” Sarah said.

Sarah said she has changed her mind from wanting to be a nurse when she grows up to now wanting to be a Tik Toker or influencer.

While in the United States, Sarah was invited to represent New Zealand in the Little Earth International pageant​ and completed a video entry. The pageant focuses on children helping to sustain life and the environment. It will be judged in April, and the New Zealand public can improve Sarah’s profile and chances of winning by liking and sharing the Little Earth social media page.

The day the family returned home, March 15, an American talent scout phoned wanting Sarah to audition for a TV advert.

“We turned him down because we are going back overseas in September … for Sarah to model for Marc Defang (fashion and footwear designer) in Paris, so we didn’t want to travel again so soon,” Norton said.