A Tiny Township teen is making a major splash in the world of fashion.
Hailey Richardson recently returned from New York Fashon Week where she served as a runway model for Chick New York City.
“It was really fun,” the 14-year-old, Thunder Beach resident said.
“There were a lot of girls close to my age modelling as well. There was also a photo shoot.”
Since becoming a model at the age of 10, Hailey has appeared in numerous shows throughout North America.
Just last year, for example, she participated in Miami Swim Week after initially planning to go to Italy and Toronto Kids Fashion Week, a venture she will again participate in this spring.
The recent New York show also proved to be a bit of a stepping stone for Hailey.
“Normally, I model kids’ clothes, so it was nice to wear something more appropriate for my age,” says Hailey, who was accompanied to New York by her parents Rachelle and Billy Richardson.
“I got to meet other girls from different places. I met one from Australia, another from Mexico.”
Hailey, who is currently in Grade 9 at Georgian Bay District Secondary School, also travelled to New York City in 2021 for a show where she modelled the Love Baby J Couture line.
She says she particularly enjoys Times Square when in the Big Apple and had the thrill of seeing herself on one of the iconic location's enormous, illuminated billboards this time around.
“I’m going back in September for Chick again for New York Fashion Week,” Hailey says, noting the show is a major highlight of the fashion world and features a who’s who of the industry.
“There are a lot of cool people there, you walk down a red carpet when you arrive and you get to meet girls from all over the world.”
And despite being in the spotlight as she walks down a runway, Hailey says she doesn’t get nervous, even when modelling in front of some of the industry’s brightest lights.
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges. One of Hailey's biggest fears is falling off the runway since it's often quite high off the ground to ensure the many attending have a good view.
“It’s also hard to keep your eyes open,” Hailey explains, pointing out the camera flashes from the many photographers in attendance can sometimes make it difficult to ensure you’re ready to look your best when pictures are taken.
Hailey says she initially wanted to become a model or dancer when she was just seven years old “because I was really tall.”
Hailey’s success is a family affair for Rachelle and Billy, along with their other daughters Brooklyn, 9, and Taylor, 19.
“I love it,” Rachelle says. “We get to tag along for the ride. It’s like a family holiday.”
When she’s away from school, Hailey says she tries to keep up with assignments and reading as best she can. When it comes to acting, there’s a tutor on set two hours a day to help with various subjects.
She recently auditioned for Runway T.O and acted in a short film called The Hill that she notes is being submitted for various film festivals.
She played Riley, a teen with a little sister and a boyfriend, “who’s a bit of a rebel.”
