BY AMY ROSE HARTE
RAMELTON BEAUTY and model Carmel Mannion is sending shockwaves through the Irish Modelling Industry. The 19 year-old, who is currently fronting the Dunnes Stores Lingerie and Swimwear campaign, divides her time working between London, Germany, Milan and Dublin. She recently shot the Newbridge Silverware Cutlery campaign and last week, helped launch the Meteor Music Awards with a fistful of other Irish models.
Since winning the Ford Model Supermodel of the World Irish Search in December 2004, Carmel is now one of the most recognisable faces in Irish fashion. She has graced the pages of IMAGE, The Gloss, Prudence, Irish Tatler, U Mag, Confetti and the Sunday Independent Life Magazine. She currently appears on the front cover of the new Dunnes Stores Magazine.
Most recently, Carmel showcased the 2007 new season trends for exclusive fashion labels Gucci, L'Oreal and Marni in Milan. She has also taken to the runway for Stella McCartney, Agent Provacteur, BT2, Brown Thomas, Toni & Guy, Avoca and A-wear amongst others.
Carmel recently returned from Milan where she spent one month working.
"It was a brilliant experience over there but they were long, tough days. We were in the most beautiful fashion houses in Florence and I was presenting the new range of clothes to the clients for Gucci and Marni".
She added, "Some of the clothes we have to wear are so expensive, you actually learn to detach yourself from them and accept that yes, they're really beautful but I have to leave them!" Carmel also met Stella McCartney whilst working at one of her shows recently in Dublin. "She was really friendly and down-to-earth and had no airs and graces about her at all. Backstage at the shows are complete mayhem, you get 30 seconds in between changes and your own personal dresser to dress you. It's total chaos but you have to walk on looking calm and it's a performance at the end of the day."
"The best thing about the job is that everyday is different, you travel a lot more and you get so many opportunities to do things that you might not get to do otherwise. Being in shows and shoots aswell are definitely something I enjoy and you do learn a lot from meeting loads of different people all the time."
Trisha Fallon, Director of 1st Option modelling agency in Dublin who represent Carmel, says her look is unique, "She has a very individual, almost Eurasian look with a beautiful rosy Irish complexion and really great hair. Carmel takes good care of herself and her healthiness shines through in her photographs."
"Carmel's positive attitude and personality is what makes her appealing to Irish clients. Her natural flawless beauty is like a blank canvas that is very easily adapted to suit any kind of look or style", says Trisha.
Carmel will return to Milan to some work in the New Year, but is looking forward to a few weeks off at Christmas. In the meantime, she is keeping her feet firmly on the ground, "It can get quite stressful but you get a great buzz and you keep going on the adrenalin. You have to go out there, looking calm and collected and try to sell clothes as much as you can because at the end of the day there's a job to do".
