Hanmer model takes on world

By JUDI KOSKI

Hanmer native Darlene Bourdeau is a rising star in the modelling world. For the past three years this 15-year-old has been on an incredible journey and now she's set her sights on the international stage. Just recently she signed with IMG Worldwide.

IMG Worldwide is a diversified sports, entertainment and media company. The company partners with many of the world's most famous brands, media outlets, sports governing bodies, national and local governments, athletes, entertainers, models and fashion designers and represents models such as Kate Moss, Gisele Bundchen and Daria Werbowy.

Bordeau will be working with IMG for the next few months in New York, while under the watchful eye of Canadian modeling icon Elmer Olsen. She will spend the next year in Paris, France, homeschooling and pursuing her modeling career.

Bourdeau began modeling at the age of 12 with the Florence Gauvreau Model & Talent Agency in Sudbury. In 2005 she was discovered by modeling icon Elmer Olsen when he was a guest of Madame Gauvreau's annual modeling search.

Elmer Olsen Model Management, based in Toronto, represents models who grace the pages of fashion magazines and appear in major advertising campaigns worldwide.  After intensive training and an extreme dental makeover worth more than $15,000, (provided by Dr. Sol Weiss from the Art of Dentistry in Toronto), she was ready for the runway. Bordeau then participated in an international modeling showcase called Bootcamp to Bigtime '07. Almost immediately, Bourdeau received 18 callbacks from numerous modeling agencies. That was when she decided to sign on with IMG Worldwide.

To see more of Darlene Bourdeau, visit www.elmerolsenmodels.com and search Darlene.