nwitimes.com
It's been a whirlwind year for Katrina Hoernig.
The Crown Point teen's interest in modeling has evolved into a full–fledged career. The blue-eyed brunette recently scored a major coup: She modeled a Vera Wang wedding gown on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."
Hoernig, then 17, was overwhelmed when Wang-hand-picked her to model one of her creations. She wore a white beaded ballgown with a dramatic black sash at the Sept. 17 taping. The dress was one of 11 from Wang's new collection, "White by Vera."
"It was so exciting," said the Crown Point High School senior, who just turned 18. "It's completely unheard of to do something that big so early in my career. I'm from a small town in Indiana. No one thinks you can be from here and be a model."
She had the chance to meet designer Wang, who impressed her with her understated elegance.
"I've always watched her (career) and her gowns are amazing," Hoernig said.
A self-described band geek, Hoernig's career began last year when she enrolled in Barbazon Modeling and Acting Center Midwest. After graduating in November, the Dutch-German beauty signed with two modeling agencies, Factor Women and DNA Model Management.
She spent last summer modeling in New York, restricting school-year bookings to weekends and vacations. She's appeared in runway shows and in European fashion magazines such as Wonderland.
But it wasn't until she was featured on "Oprah" that locals took notice, mother Connie Hoernig said.
"She's been in Wonderland, but people here don't get that magazine," she said.
Now "everyone knows what she's been doing. It was a confidence booster for her. All of the work she's been doing going to castings and test shoots is starting to pay off."
Her daughter has yet to finalize her post–graduation plans. She may take a year off and model full time. Or she may move to New York and work and take classes. She is leaning toward a career as an interior designer.
Despite the casting calls and photo shoots, Hoernig tries to keep things in perspective. Parents Dennis and Connie are her role models.
"My parents taught me everything I know, and taught me to do what it takes to reach my dreams," she said.
When not modeling, she enjoys painting, drawing and school activities. She plays clarinet and bass clarinet in the Marching Band and Pep Band.
"She has a good, solid group of friends that keep her real," her mother said. "She hasn't let this go to her head."
No matter where her career takes her, Crown Point will always be home, Katrina Hoernig said.
"I'm not going to get a big head. That's not me," she said. "I'm always going to come back to my family. It's who I am."
BY CARRIE RODOVICH Times Correspondent nwi.com | Posted: Saturday, October 30, 2010 12:00 am
