From age 9, Alana Tooker knew she wanted to be a model. Now, at age 14, she is fulfilling her dream through the US-based HOP Models and Talent Agency, after being scouted last year.
“Words can’t even express how exhilarated I am,” Tooker told the Compass.
“It all feels so surreal being signed with an agency like HOP models. I’m so honoured and very excited about them representing me.”
Tooker was among some 150 models who auditioned at the Cays Conference scouting event, held at Atlantis Paradise Island resort in the Bahamas in November. She was discovered by Carib-Link founder Sonia Brown who scouts models for placement in the European, US and Asian markets. Tooker officially signed with HOP last month.
She has been training since 2022 with modelling coach Chantel O’Brian, a Miss Universe 2021 top 10 finalist. In addition, Tooker has trained with international runway coach Alva Page since last year which prepared her for the Cays Conference audition.
According to HOP, the agency represents models, actors, athletes and celebrity clientele, for editorial, print, fashion, runway, commercial, advertising, film, television and voice-over.
“She is quite an impressive young woman, and I am privileged to have discovered her,” Brown told the Compass, adding, “she is a natural and I see [her] on the runway in Europe or Asia. She has it … that thing that no one can define but cannot deny when you see it.”
Echoing her enthusiasm, HOP director Lyndon Winchester said, “Alana is a star on the rise. We are excited to be a catalyst in her journey.”
Since 2023, Tooker has walked in over 20 designer runway shows, including in Milan, New York, London and Miami. Last year, Tooker took part in the New York runway show where she was featured with other Caymanian models.
She was seen most recently strutting down the runway for Cayman InStyle Fashion Week last month, where she wore pieces from the latest collections of local designer Norma Ebanks, along with international designers Uzuri International, Adrian Alicea and Sai Sankoh.
“It is literally a dream come true to walk for such amazing designers,” Tooker said. “Each of their pieces are so diverse and creative, and I feel so privileged to have the opportunity to model them and to personally meet the amazing talent responsible for creating them.”
She recalled attending fashion week in Cayman when she was 9. That experience sparked her love for the runway.
“I was mesmerised seeing all of the sparkling dresses and long, colourful, flowing gowns being modelled, one by one, up close and in real life. From that moment, being on the runway was a main goal of mine.”
Tooker added, “I’ve always been extremely interested in fashion. Ever since I could remember, I would daydream about wearing beautiful clothes … and walking down the runway like the models on TV.”
Tooker’s parents will be accompanying her for the modelling jobs she takes over school breaks, and will be monitoring her work schedule.
“I am very much looking forward to high fashion runway modelling as well as print and editorial modelling, as a HOP model,” Tooker said.
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