A Penticton woman had the opportunity of a lifetime to be pampered like a fashion model.
In February, Amberlee Erdmann found out she won the Internet competition Be The Face of Bootlegger. She recently was swept to Vancouver to get in front of the camera lens and now her photos can be seen not only in the Penticton Bootlegger, but in their retail stores across the country.
“It is totally empowering and I get that some aspects are superficial with modelling, but honestly it made me feel so confident and beautiful,” said Erdmann, who is a social worker. “When I look at those images, I can’t believe that is me. I still can’t believe I won and did it.”
Canadian fashion retailer Bootlegger put out a model search call that Erdmann came across on Facebook. She had some local experience with modelling but was unsure if she wanted to enter.
“All those self-defeating thoughts go through your head of what if you lose, then I submitted the photo a few hours before the deadline and ended up winning. It’s funny because now I go into the Bootlegger stores and they recognize me,” said Erdmann.
In September she flew down to Vancouver for her photo shoot and said she was given first-class treatment being “spoiled” with everything she could need. Erdmann was taken to Guilford Mall, where the newest Bootlegger store had just opened, and spent $600 of her $1,000 Bootlegger gift card that she won.
“I felt a bit guilty, actually. I had a hard time spending that because I don’t make a lot of money and that was a lot to spend 
on clothes,” said Erdmann. “I felt so spoiled and special. I got pampered, picked up from the airport and driven to this beautiful hotel with all the accommodations paid for, a welcome gift basket and met all these amazing people.”
Wanting the photo shoot to be distinctively Erdmann, Bootlegger let her pick out all of the looks that they would take photos of her for the holiday special feature with the assistance of a stylist.
Erdmann describes her style as casual, comfy and when she does go out she likes a look with a lot of impact.
“They really wanted to stress that these are clothes that I would normally wear and took my influence into consideration. There was a lot of sweaters, which was kind of ironic because it was basically still summer weather out during the shoot and it was this beautiful day and we are all in winter jackets,” she said.
Erdmann was put in a dress with a ostrich feather skirt that she said she loves, and sweaters, shirts and pants for her other looks that she said fit her casual style to a T. She added the support she received while at the shoot from the photographers and hair and makeup artists helped her get over any nerves. The model contest winner added she wanted to thank everyone who helped her get there.
“Most of all, I just want to thank all my friends, family and everyone in Penticton for their continuous support because without their involvement and votes I would have never been able to have this experience. I am really grateful,” she said.
To view Erdmann’s Bootlegger look book with her fashion photos visit www.Bootlegger.com/content/lookbook.
