Victoria's Secret Angel set for Perth
AVictoria's Secret Angel is readying herself to fly to * Perth *to make a dazzling debut at one of the hottest events on the annual social calendar.
Melbourne-raised, New York- based model *Shanina Shaik *will jet in from the States to be a special guest at Citigold Polo in the Valley next month, where she will not only witness her first polo match but also step out on WA soil for the first time.
Touted as Australia's next supermodel, the exotic beauty
has walked international catwalks for designers including Chanel, Tom Ford and Oscar de la Renta.
But perhaps the 23-year-old's biggest career moment came
when she was initiated as a Victoria's Secret Angel for the iconic lingerie brand's 2011 show, where she appeared alongside *Miranda Kerr *, *Lily Aldridge *and *Doutzen Kroes *.
She appeared on the catwalk at the Victoria's Secret show in
2012 alongside pop superstar *Rihanna *.
Shaik was also recently signed with renowned agency IMG, the top model management firm in the world.
Fresh from shooting a campaign in Sweden, Shaik will be a stand-out at the prestigious Swan Valley polo event and told _AAA Weekend _she had high hopes for the visit.
"I've never been to the polo before," she said from her New York base.
"This trip has lots of firsts for me. I have been reading about the fashion and what to wear and what takes place but I am excited to see what it is all about."
Shaik's appearance at the event is particularly poignant considering its fundraising links to Youth Focus, a charity that helps young adults deal with depression and self-harm.
Despite her confidence on the runway, the model revealed being bullied at the age of 14 led her to suffer from depression and low self esteem in her teens - but she is now glad she can use the experience for a good cause.
"I have come out of it stronger," Shaik said. "It's made me a different person and has allowed me to be more confident about challenges in my life, especially with my work in modelling.
"And now I can use that knowledge about what happened to me to help other children and young adults."
After Polo in the Valley, Shaik will make a quick trip to see her family in the Eastern States before returning to the US, where she said there will be plenty of projects to keep her busy for the rest of the year.
The leggy brunette said she was also eyeing a move into acting.
"I have been quite lucky to have movie roles come my way or been asked to audition for things but I haven't put my all into it yet," Shaik admitted.
"I really want to try to act and see how I go, sooner or later."
Jessie Papain
