FASHIONABLE friends put their on-screen chemistry to the test as they vied to become the new faces of clothing label Jack Wills. Dozens of picture-perfect teenagers headed to the store on Bridlesmith Gate on Wednesday to join the label's search for its next top models. The brand has been scouring the UK for groups of three to eight friends, aged 16-25, who have "real character and style". One lucky group will be chosen to become the faces of the Jack Wills spring/summer 2015 campaign.
Nottingham Trent University student Henry Au, 19, had persuaded his friends Saxon Bosworth, 19, and John Brogden, 18, to take part. Henry, of Hampden Street, said: "I normally shop here and I saw that they were scouting for models so I thought why not try it out?
"I think we've got what it takes – apparently they're looking for normal people, and we're just three normal guys so I think we fit in pretty well."
Saxon joked: "Henry dragged us along because he's obviously quite a vain guy and thinks he could be a model.
"We're all pretty laid back guys and pretty positive though, so hopefully that will come across in the photo."
Each group was invited to have their pictures taken, along with some Jack Wills props, including scarves, hats and umbrellas. Leanne George, 17, and Tillie Panayi, 16, both from Clifton, said they hoped their close friendship would shine through in the photo. Tillie said: "We make each other laugh and smile all the time and we're both laid back and like having fun. "I think we fit the Jack Wills vibe pretty well! It would be amazing if we were picked out as the winners – I don't think either of us would actually believe it."
Geraldine Van Oversteeg, marketing project manager at Jack Wills, said the search was about finding a group of friends who are proud of who they are and can encourage others to be themselves.
She added: "We're trying to find groups of friends who fit the Jack Wills atmosphere of having fun, going out and being together.
"We just want to find that chemistry between groups of friends that comes across in a picture, so that they can be our new Jack Wills tribe."
Following the nine-day search, one group of friends will be picked as winners, and will be invited to London for a professional photo shoot. It is likely that the images will then appear in spring/summer 2015 handbook, which will be sent to Jack Wills' stores worldwide.
