in association with Specsavers
A student from Scotland has won the Specsavers Spectacle Wearer of the Year Award for 2007.
Sara Pender, 18, from Glasgow, entered the competition because she loves how her specs make her look.
She won the regional heat of Specsavers’ annual modelling competition, but never expected to win the 2007 overall title.
Sara said: ‘I can’t believe I’ve won. It was such a great evening and I had a huge amount of support from my friends and family, who were in the audience cheering me on. They all went completely mad when it was announced that I had won.
‘I’m just coming to terms with the fact that I’m signed to a top modelling agency, but most of all I am looking forward to taking the holiday to Barbados. One thing is for sure, there will be no shortage of friends who would like to come with me.’
The glitzy awards ceremony took place at London’s Waldorf Hilton Hotel. The competition was judged by celebrity stylist and star of C4’s “How to Look Good Naked” Gok Wan and celebrity hairdresser Errol Douglas.
Sara, originally from Blairedardie, won a 12-month modelling contract with top London agency MOT Models, an all-inclusive two-week holiday to Barbados, courtesy of Almond Resorts and Virgin Holidays, with £250 spending money as well as beauty products from Matrix and The Body Shop and eyecare from Specsavers.
Helen Illes, founder of MOT Models, said: ‘It was a fantastic evening – all the contestants looked fabulous and really worked the catwalk. The competition was tough and the standards were very high, but we felt that Sarah has a great look, which can also be associated with the Specsavers brand, and is someone who will work successfully as a model.’
The event, hosted by GMTV’s Ben Shephard and Jenni Falconer, was attended by more than three hundred guests, including celebrities Kimberly Stewart, who presented the awards, Penny Lancaster and her Strictly Come Dancing partner Ian Waite.
Other celebrities who attended included Jade Goody, Calum Best, Chantelle Houghton and comedian Rowland Rivron, as well as reality TV stars from Big Brother 2007 and The Apprentice.
