Teen supermodel living her dream
Like most teenage girls, Mary Ludera loves clothes and dreams of being a supermodel.
But, while for most teens this dream will stay just that, the Dianella 17-year-old had one shopping trip that put her on a path to modelling work in New York.
While trying on dresses for the school ball in Ruth Tarvydas' Claremont store in 2013, the shy student, who took modelling classes to build her confidence, nervously approached the fashion designer behind the counter.
"She found out I did modelling and we stayed in touch," Mary said. "We became friends and then she called me to take part in a runway show.
"It was really great. It was my first job and I was quite excited."
The Mercedes College student did several jobs locally, including an event to honour the designer last year, and her first international event, World Teen Supermodel, which she won.
"I found a link online and within three hours I had been accepted and in a month I was in Fiji. It was unreal," she said.
Job offers have since snowballed and Mary's judging role on a reality television show in Queensland led Donald Trump's modelling agency to pick her up.
Though still at school, Mary is set to move to New York next year pending a contract.
Mary's mother Luda said she was proud to see her daughter follow her dream.
