Elizabeth Contreras is an 18 year old freshman at UNL leaning towards a business degree with a minor in Fashion. As if school wasn’t enough to keep her busy, she does modeling as well. It’s always been one of her many dreams to be in the sparkling lights of a runway show.
“Everybody would constantly tell me, “Oh, you should do modeling! You’re skinny and tall!” I’ve also always wanted to pursue it myself. When I was given the opportunity to be in Omaha Fashion Week, I thought, hey why not!”
She came about finding Omaha Fashion Week when she decided to pursue her long life dream. For the Spring 2014 shows, Elizabeth modeled for Dan Richters, who won the $20,000 prize for best design as Omaha Fashion Week. Ritchers incorporated latex material with dark and gold hues with the intention of making Elizabeth, as well as the other models, resemble goddess-like figures. While working with Omaha Fashion Week, she discovered an agency called Develop Model Management. After some research with her favorite substitute teacher at Omaha South High, Mr. Waken, she decided this agency was the right fit for her.
In September, Develop Model Management gave Elizabeth the opportunity to model a collection from Dennis Merotto. She spent her birthday in the big apple, celebrating her 18th birthday roaming around in the city lights and exploring the streets with another model from DMM.
“It was an amazing experience modeling with Dennis Merotto! Definitely a memorable experience for my first time in New York. When I told my professors I was going to have to miss three days of school, they were really cool about it. They even let me make up the homework afterwards. I’m glad that I was able to pursue that opportunity without having any problems with my education.”
Elizabeth is slowly but surely building her resume and networking with established stylists, photographers, designers such as Amanda Valentine from Project Runway, as well as Michael Dar, a photographer with 20 years of experience in the industry. Elizabeth wants to take her modeling career to the next level; the next level being walking for runway shows in London, Milan, Paris, and many other fashion destination around the world. Omaha Fashion Week has opened many doors for her and with the help of her agent, Alyssa Dilts, she is learning more about herself through classes the agency offers for their models. She is more than grateful for the opportunities she’s been able to experience and for the many more experiences to come.