an article from the sunday times
Small the next big star
By PETA HELLARD
18sep05
HILTON teenager Grace Small hadn't even set foot on a catwalk nine months ago.
Now she is poised to become Perth's latest international runway star.
Grace, who has just turned 16, is moving to Europe this week after being chosen by top Australian designer Collette Dinnigan to star in her Paris show.
She is following in the footsteps of supermodel Gemma Ward – who sprang to fame after being signed by modelling giant IMG and headhunted by Prada – by signing with the same agency and attracting the attention of the influential Italian fashion house.
She will star in Prada's upcoming parade at Milan Fashion Week and is also tipped to front the label's new advertising campaign.
The young beauty was discovered by Chadwick Models in January. She left school and moved to Sydney four weeks after her first test shoot.
Grace, whose appearance has been likened to British supermodel Kate Moss, has had a jam-packed schedule, with countless magazine shoots and major advertising campaigns.
She said it had been a whirlwind, roller-coaster of a year.
"It was a big shock to the system, but over the past few months I've really settled into it," she said.
"I was very shy when I started off, but I have done a lot of growing up and my perspective on the world has changed. "I am nervous but very excited about the move to Europe."
[sundaytimes.news.com.au]