Wrexham: Laura Marie scoops a prize at Top Model event

Back in June, the Leader reported on Aldi employee Laura Marie, who only began modelling, initially as a hobby, a year ago.

The 29-year-old is already making a name for herself having been published in seven different magazines, including in France, America as well as the UK.

Now, her latest success has seen her win the 'Natural skin beauty award' (in the over 25's category) at the prestigious UK Top Model event that was recently held in London.

The event raises money for the Top Model Foundation which supports sick children and children in need, as well as their families.

During the event, Laura - originally from Oswestry but now living in Wrexham - also enjoyed her first-ever catwalk experience.

Speaking to the Leader, Laura - who has worked at Aldi for a decade - said: " I am blown away that I won the award. I didn’t think that I would actually win anything.

"I only participated so that I could have fun and experience an actual real life catwalk. It was London's fashion week and it was an incredible weekend.

"Being back stage and having your hair and make up done and being dressed by the designers and pep talked through your walk and made to feel like a movie star was just amazing. I feel so lucky to have been a part of it all and to have accomplished what I have done so far on my journey."

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Laura added: "Being on the catwalk was very nerve-racking. We are trained to have a straight face and to look forwards at all times. No smiling, no looking to the floor, no glancing at anyone apart from straight ahead.

"We were told no swinging of the arms and to keep a straight neck and back at all times. When we were at rehearsals, we had hard back books on our heads and had to do all sorts of manoeuvres such as sitting down and standing back up with the book balanced on our heads and we weren’t allowed to let them fall off.

"It was funny and I never actually dropped the book off my head once. I was so worried that I would end up tripping over or something silly during the catwalk but thankfully I didn’t.

"We had to do two walks. The first walk was wearing your own outfit you had selected and the second walk was wearing the outfit that had been designed for you.

"My first walk was the worst because I was a bag of nerves. The second walk was easier as I was more relaxed. When we all stood on the stage at the end of the show, I never thought that I’d hear my name being called out for an award.

PICS by Colin Chau Photography show Laura on the catwalk in both of her outfits.

"It’s the first time that I’ve ever done anything like this so I was really happy and shocked at the same time."

Asked about what's next for her modelling career heading into 2024, Laura added: "I have had a really busy year this year. I have just completed a 15k tough mudder and I am feeling pretty exhausted but I have one more big adventure before the year ends.

"Next month, I fly out to Lanzarote for a photoshoot in a luxury private villa with an amazing photographer who has been published by Vogue multiple times.

"In between that, I’m just doing some promotional photoshoots for a few small companies to promote their products. After this year is over, my next big venture so far is a photoshoot in Bali in May 2024.

"Life is there to live it to the fullest and that’s what I am doing!"