Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

Only 15 years old and still in school, Shena Moulton has already been making major strides in the international fashion arena.

Fresh from Paris Fashion Week, Moulton clocked 11 shows in her first season as a new black Caribbean face, modelling for Louis Vuitton, AF Vandervost, Kenzo, among other brands. In New York, she was also among the best, doing top shows for Calvin Klein.

She is the youngest Jamaican model to be signed to an international agency. Moulton was signed to Muse Models in 2007 at 13 years old after winning the Fashion Faces of the Caribbean competition, but truly took off this summer.

She is featured in the just-released international campaign for GAP Japan with hip hop artiste Pharrell Williams.

Proud of herself

The 5' 11" Moulton said she is very happy with her achievements.

"I am very proud of myself 'cause I've been doing so good, so well in Paris," Moulton told The Sunday Gleaner.

She said the experience has been more than she expected, as her development course with Saint International only prepared her partially. Nonetheless, it is an opportunity that she is grateful for.

"It was more than I expected. The experience is good, it has been more amazing. I couldn't ask for more. Paris was especially great," Moulton said.

The teenager, who lives in Waterhouse, was discovered by Deiwght Peters, Saint International CEO, two years ago when he went with the RJR team to Penwood High School.

"We are overwhelmed just remembering how we found Shena. When we spotted her at Penwood High School, I thought she was amazing. I was very excited about her. I am especially excited about Shena's achievement as it continues to demonstrate that Saint brand of Jamaican and Caribbean models are world class," Peters told The Sunday Gleaner.

"It also highlights the trend for Saint to uncover true model talent from the inner cities and giving these young Jamaicans a true chance at the global fashion stage. I am extraordinarily proud of this. To see a young Jamaican modelling for the first time walking for 11 of the biggest fashion names including Louis Vuitton in Paris, the fashion capital of the world, is nothing short of historic. Only two months modelling and creating such an (international) buzz is absolutely remarkable."

Peters added that designers are in love with her body frame which forms "the ideal fashion line for clothes" and that she is poised and elegant on the runway.

Although she is still attending high school, Moulton said she has been balancing her academics and modelling career.

"My principal is really pushing me. I only do modelling in summer time or down time. I'm focusing on school now," said Moulton, who is in fourth form.

Long-term success

With a burgeoning modelling career, Peters said Moulton now has to do well in school to ensure long-term success.

"I have placed her on a strict programme as she has to better her grades as before. My expectations are high. I believe the principal and teachers have all rallied around her to ensure the grades are good. I have advised the (international) agencies that she will only continue her development programme in New York during the holidays," Peters said.

He also believes this is the beginning of a long and successful journey for her in the industry, particularly with the development she's made over the last two years.

"I expect her to be an exceptional model who redefines the image of a truly successful supermodel," Peters said.

Moulton said her school community and friends were proud of her and she believes she will be an example for her peers.

"I think it will help them to realise that anything in life is possible. You must work hard and have faith in God. There's a chance for me to go to college. I want to reach the very top of the fashion game," she said.

Networking

Already, there are many things lined up for Moulton. Peters said she has networked with some of the best agencies in the world, including Models One - London, ELITE - Paris, ELITE - Milan, MUSE New York and Uno Barcelona.

"She will continue on a high-level development programme with the various agencies. She has been made to understand too that to be a long-term runner in this business the qualities of professionalism, faith, intelligence, sophistication, ambition and drive are all critical to take her to the top and to stay there. I aim to get her to be one of the top money earners in the business - hopefully to buy her mom a house within the next few years," Peters told The Sunday Gleaner.