PEYTON Margro (7) from Mulbarton has made the international modelling world after she won overall Child Model of the Year 2017 at the IMTA (International Modelling and Talent Association) convention in New York.
One would think Peyton could be a little precocious, but not at all, she’s a well-grounded seven-year-old, who enjoys modelling, loves her school, Marist Brothers Linmeyer and everything associated with it.
Her parents, Cindy and Gary, make sure Peyton understands, when she doesn’t enjoy modelling anymore, she’ll stop. “We’ve always told her, when it stops being fun, it’s not worth doing. At the moment though, she loves it.”
Making a name for herself
When Peyton was much smaller Cindy was approached by casting agencies in Johannesburg where Peyton landed a few jobs and appeared in Jet magazines and in their shop windows on posters advertising children’s clothing. She joined Figures Glenvista, owned by Natacha Thompson, in October 2016 and quickly made a name for herself as a finalist in The Face of Figures in November. In December she won the Face of Figures 2016 in the ramp skills division which was held at the Roodepoort Civic Theatre. In April this year Figures held IMTA South Africa where international agents flew in from the USA, Tokyo and Milan, to name a few. “It was the first time international agents had come to SA to judge the IMTA locally and Peyton came second in her age category.”
Flying high
In July this year Peyton, with her mom Cindy and grandmother Jackie, flew to New York to take part in IMTA Convention where she had the opportunity to model in front of more than 350 agents from across the globe, where she walked away with second place in the jeans category, second in swimwear, fourth in commercial print and a first place in both runway and fashion print. The cherry on the top was winning Overall Child Model of the Year award which is a first for Figures South Africa. “It was a wonderful experience but very stressful. We stayed at The Hilton where the convention took place and thank goodness we did as often the day began at 6am and went on until 9pm in the evening.”
“She was one of the six chosen out of hundreds of other children to walk the runway for a top fashion designer and still today we can’t quite believe she won,” enthused a delighted Cindy.
Peyton received six call backs from model and film international agents who were interested in interviewing her, where her mom and grandmother had the opportunity to meet and discuss Peyton’s future in the industry. “Internationally it’s going to be difficult for Peyton to get work because of the logistics of us living here in SA but who knows what the future may hold for her,” added Cindy.
Peyton got to see The Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Time Square and also went to the 9/11 memorial. “I really liked New York, it was very exciting,” she said.
Since then Peyton has been enrolled at a drama academy and won the Sports Showcase at The Glen Shopping Centre last Saturday.
Just being Peyton
Best friend to Peyton is her miniature Yorkshire terrier, Benji, “I adore him and like to dress him up. He never minds at all,” laughed Peyton.
When asked what she’d like to do when she grows up, she said, “I think I’d like to be a doctor.”
For the time being Peyton will carry on with her modelling, enjoy school and all her extra murals, including swimming, netball, tennis and soccer and spend time with her family and friends, as every little girl should.
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