October 1, 2008
Model mothers found
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Leonie Nicolaou-Purdie's entry shot
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Auckland’s Leonie Nicolaou-Purdie is a model mother even before her twin babies arrive.
After a six week search across New Zealand and Australia the 31-year old from Orakei has been chosen as the most
beautiful mum-to-be in the 2008 EGG Model Search.
The EGG Model Search is an annual competition run by leading maternity wear brand EGG and seeks to find the most
stunning pregnant women in Australasia. The Australian winner is 23-year old Sarah Muirhead from Thorneside east of
Brisbane.
More than 500 entries were received from women on both sides of the Tasman keen to take home a $1,000 EGG wardrobe. The
winners also get an expenses-paid trip to Auckland for a photo-session for the company’s winter 2009 catalogue and an
album of the resulting pictures.
Leonie Nicolaou-Purdie is expecting twin boys in early February next year and she says she had to pinch herself when she
found out she was the New Zealand winner.
“I didn’t know my husband entered me in the EGG model search. I was a bit taken aback when he called me to confess and
tell me I’d made it in to the final group. The first thing I said was ‘what photos have you sent?’
“However, after I found out all about the search and that the prize included a $1,000 EGG wardrobe I got pretty excited.
I can’t wait for the shoot. It’s a big honour when you consider how many women entered.”
Models show off the EGG range – soon Leonie will be one of them
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It’s the third year Auckland-based EGG has run a model search throughout New Zealand and Australia. The company features
one expectant mother from each country in its annual winter catalogue wearing EGG’s designs.
“We believe in practising what we preach,” says EGG co-owner Charlotte Devereux who judged the entrants together with
her mother and business partner Colyn Devereux-Kay.
“Mothers-to-be can relate so well to the concept of using one of their own to model the garments. And for the models,
it’s a great way to start the baby album and stock up the wardrobe.”
Women who would be between six and eight-and-a-half months pregnant on 1 October this year were eligible to enter the
quest.
About EGG
Based in Auckland, EGG is a New Zealand business founded by Colyn and Charlotte Devereux. The EGG philosophy is to
provide expectant women with stylish and comfortable maternity wear that takes them all the way through their pregnancy
– and even beyond. In 2004, EGG was rated seventh in the Deloittes Fast 50 which lists the fastest growing companies in
New Zealand.
In 2007 EGG was accepted into New Zealand Trade and Enterprise’s prestigious Beachheads programme for high growth New
Zealand companies.
The company exports to Australia, Singapore, The Philippines and the United States.
EGG franchise stores and stockists located:
New Zealand
Newmarket, Auckland
Botany Downs, Auckland
Fox Outlet Store, North Shore, Auckland
Hamilton
Hawke’s Bay
Palmerston North
Wellington
Blenheim
Nelson
Christchurch
Dunedin
Ashburton
Australia
ENDS