Cavendish Square gets new faces

14 Oct 2009

Cavendish Square launched its first competition in late September 2009 to find a male and female face that translates what its core brand essence stands for: youthful, sophisticated, stylish and fashionable. Following hundreds of applications and tough judging, Don Madge from Claremont and Tamsin Groom from Stellenbosch were announced as the winners at an event held at the centre on Saturday 3 October.

Don Madge and Tamsin Groom winners of the Cavendish New Faces search, each walking away with a Grappa Sports Scooter from Motor Mia.

Said Madrie Verwey, marketing manager for Cavendish Square, “Based on the incredible success of this event, we plan to grow and develop it next year and will include some exciting new categories and activities. We see the importance of hosting events of this quality and style and recognise that local market support is of paramount importance and so we are planning more activities, events and promotions that will appeal to our loyal local shoppers.”

A judging panel made up of representatives from South Africa's top model agencies, including Base, Boss, Faith, Fusion, M1, Max, Zero, Trigger, Infinity, 3d, Shine and Y Models had a tough time selecting their winners from the 40 finalists but they felt that Don and Tamsin best represented what both they and Cavendish Square were looking for.

The winners walked away with prizes valued at over R100 000 each including a contract with a top Cape Town model agency, a photo shoot from Woolworths, a Moto Mia Grappa Scooter and fashion vouchers from Woolworths, Guess, Esprit and Aldo shoes.

Phoenix rising

Madrie Verwey, Brenda Bibby, Tamsin Groom, Don Madge, ex-Miss SA Teen - Bertha Marie le Roux, and Az Abrahams.

At only 18, Don is already showing entrepreneurial talent - he owns Phoenix Muay Thai - a Thai Boxing Gym in Kenilworth, at which he also teaches, and is planning to study B.Com Marketing next year. Tamsin Groom, 18, is currently a resident at Stellenbosch University where she is a first-year B.Com Law student but comes from Umfolozi in KwaZulu-Natal.

“The judges were incredibly impressed by all of the 40 finalists. Many of the other finalists have been given appointments by some of the model agencies, but Don and Tamsin really stood out. All of the agencies are very keen to sign both of them, so they are in the enviable position of being able to choose which agency they would like to represent them going forward,” said Karen Burt from Planet Productions, the production company responsible for producing the show.

As part of its CSI programme, Cavendish Square also hosted some young women from the Spice for Life Organisation to a fun-filled day at the centre.