As a girl who loves fashion, how could I not be hooked by ‘Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model’ (formerly Britain’s Next Top Model or BNTM for those in the know)? I have watched every single series of the show and I have been addicted from the start. Every year I fall in fashion love with one of the girls and hope that my favourite will win.

This year one girl totally stood out from the other finalists, a gorgeous mixed race girl with red hair, freckles and a body to die for. ‘Wow’ was my first impression of 20 year old Jade Thompson, who was spotted at the BINTM live show last October and encouraged to apply this year. And the judges clearly felt the same as Jade was chosen for the final thirteen girls to take part in the show and eventually crowned her this year’s winner.

But Jade hasn’t always felt so confident about her appearance, and this week told The Manchester Evening News about how she spent years wishing she didn’t look so different as she was taunted for unusual looks. She went through the same experience as a lot of mixed race people do, with the familiar response  - ‘what are you’?

Those who have followed Jade’s journey on BINTM will be in no doubt now as to what she is, with the looks that she was taunted for winning her the coveted prize, and a modelling contact with a top London agency. This mix-d:face is going places, paving the way for more mixed race models and showing that being different can be a good thing.

If like Jade, you think you could be a top mixed race model, there is still time to enter this year’s Mix-d:Face competition!

If you are mixed-race, male / female. Aged between 16 -24 and think you have what it takes to be the next Mix-d: Face 2011 then join us at our final scouting day.

Saturday 1st October, 11 5pm, Harvey Nichols. Manchester