Airdrie teen takes on Milan on the runway

There's New York Fashion Week, Paris, and of course Milan. And it was in Milan, Italy, in late September, where 13-year-old Ayla Burbidge would walk the runway in one of the most iconic fashion shows in the world.

There's New York Fashion Week, Paris, and of course Milan. And it was in Milan, Italy, in late September, where 13-year-old Ayla Burbidge would walk the runway in one of the most iconic fashion shows in the world. (Photo provided by Lilian Jourieh)

Burbidge, who has a zeal for performing arts has gotten used to the crowds and all eyes on her. However, there were some nerves before she walked the runway.

"The nervousness is that we had one run-through before the actual show happened, and that allowed me to see how long the runway was, how many chairs there were, and how many people were probably going to be there,' she said. "Then when I walked out there, honestly, I just had my mind on one thing: I'm going to make it to the end of the runway, I'm going to pose and it's going to be great."

Burbidge was representing NOLO Mx, an emerging brand, whose emerging head designer is Luis Corrales  (Photo provided by Lilian Jourieh)

Burbidge was representing NOLO Mx, an emerging brand, whose emerging head designer is Luis Corrales, better known as Manolo (not to be confused with the other iconic fashion house - Manolo Blahnik). Giving a glimpse into the glitz, glamour, and pageantry as well as the sometimes chaotic scenes behind the scenes, Burbidge said she was worried she wouldn't make it on the runway because of her hair.

"I have very thick hair and the designer wanted a punk rock look, so, while everyone else was just having their hair normally done with some like crimpers; the people sent four stylists to work on my hair, and they were all hand crimping my hair. It took over an hour when everyone else's only took around 15 minutes," she said. "I nearly didn't make the show. I just ran out and then boom, we were on in a couple of minutes."

But how Burbidge got to participate in one of the most iconic fashion shows came only several months prior. She had taken a modelling class in April and then participated in a modelling show at the end.

"At the end of the show, these agents came up to me and they scouted me for the Patti Falconer Agency. Fast forward a couple of months and my first actual modelling big job was Milan Fashion Week," Burbidge said.

She added that some of the most common stereotypes about modelling and the runway are that while most of us initiate and exaggerate how models walk on the catwalk - on a real runway, it's not about exaggerated movements - it's all about presenting the designer's clothes.

"You don't want to be too into it. If you do something fancy, lots of hip movement or weird footwork, then the designers don't like that. You have to look directly where you're looking and make sure your posture is good. Then you just walk one foot in front of the other."

While she doesn't yet have a favourite fashion house or favourite fashion brand, Burbidge said that fashion titans like Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner come to mind when she thinks of her favourite models.

However, modelling is only one part of Airdrie's teenager's passion. Burbidge is also very keen on theatre, saying one of her dreams is to perform in a Broadway show. 

"That's my passion in life, as well as fashion. Now that I've gone to Milan Fashion Week, I feel like a whole new chapter has been opened and it's really exciting."

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