A star is born – schoolgirl from Teesdale is the face of Christmas

A TEESDALE schoolgirl has been signed up by one of the UK’s leading children’s modelling agencies and has already landed work with high street and designer brands. 

Four-year-old Lola Morris-Rhoden was snapped up for Grace and Galor model management, in Kent, after her mum, Stacey Morris, sent off photographs of her little girl in July. Pictures of the youngster now feature prominently in Tesco stores nationwide, as well as in the supermarket’s Christmas brochure.

Miss Morris said: “When she was little people used to tell me to try to get her into it but I never did. I didn’t think she would have the confidence to do it.

“We were in London visiting her dad when I sent her photos off to an agency. They got back to us immediately and said they would be willing to take her on. Primark was her first one and then it just all went from there.” 

Following the session with Primark, Lola, who lives in West Auckland and goes to school in Teesdale, had her next appointment with Tesco in August for its Christmas wear. Miss Morris said: “It eventually got to the point where I could stand behind the photographer and watch and now she’s fine. She loves it. She just goes on and does it and she loves getting her hair done now.”

As well as working with Marks and Spencer, Lola has worked with The White Company and stars in their festive online video.

She has modelled for My 1st Years and its exclusive collection with TV personality Binky Felstead, the star of Made In Chelsea. This range is stocked in Harrods and Selfridges.

She has also taken part in a shoot for Morrisons supermarket and its Nutmeg clothing range as well as modelling designerwear for Childrensalon, a high-end online

retailer.

Miss Morris said: “It has been really good for her because it has brought on her confidence loads. She used to be so quiet and wouldn’t talk to anyone.

“Lola thinks it is great. It is fun for her and she has made lots of new friends. I think she will stick at it.

“She saw herself in Tesco and she said ‘mam that’s me’. Her friends have also seen her.”

As if the four-year-old isn’t busy enough juggling school and her modelling success, she has also just been accepted by two acting agencies – Brown and Mills in London and Mark Jermin Management in Wales.

Miss Morris added: “I am so proud of her. It is overwhelming when I see her photos.”