A child first, then an established child model

Chloe Almeida, 12, Millstone, has been featured in ads for Macy’s, Nordstrom and Joe Fresh Jeans. A lthough her image appears on shopping bags at P.S. Aeropostale and giant posters at Target, few Millstone residents realize that it’s their own Chloe Almeida in these and other advertisements.

Chloe, 12, started modeling at the age of 4 when the children’s division of Wilhelmina Models in New York City recognized her potential in an open casting call. The agency gave her a contract and helped her acquire spots with Nick Jr., Family Circle and Avon before landing her a breakthrough job at the age of 8 with United Colors of Benetton.

Since moving to Millstone four years ago, Chloe has become an established model with New York’s Ford Model Agency. She has been featured in ads for Macy’s, Nordstrom and Joe Fresh Jeans. Her image has appeared in circulars and clothing catalogs and on toy boxes and magazines covers. Hers is the face of Philips Sonicare for Kids and the face featured in a video currently running in Times Square.

Chloe Almeida appears in an ad for D-Signed, a clothing line offered at Target. Friends and neighbors know Chloe as the highly imaginative and energetic girl who loves nature, drawing, running, cheerleading, playing piano and dressing uniquely. They rarely recognize her as the child model they’ve likely seen time and again while perusing periodicals or out shopping.

“I rarely talk about it and I don’t brag about it,” Chloe said, adding that fellow students at the Millstone Township Middle School are surprised and ask a lot of questions when they see her in an ad.

“Neither she nor I tell people because it’s just part of our life,” her mother, Lori, said.

Lori and her husband, John, saw modeling as an educational opportunity for both their kids. Lukas, 14, has also been featured in a few ad campaigns, most recently for Target.

Chloe Almeida, 12, started modeling at the age of 4 when the children’s division of Wilhelmina Models in New York City recognized her potential during an open casting call. “They’ve gotten such an insight into the way things are instead of just seeing the final product,” Lori said.

Chloe said working with production teams and directors has taught her to speak confidently, make rational decisions and not shy away from adults. She has learned to travel comfortably to new places while shooting ads in places like Islamorada in the Florida Keys, Hollywood and Seattle, Wash. Modeling also taught her that life is not about looks.

“You have to have an outgoing personality,” Chloe said. “Looks don’t matter. You can’t be shy. You have to be happy and make people feel good about themselves.”

Donna DePinto (l), the owner of D’Bella Salon by Donna in Franklin, applies a bridal couture hair extension to Denisse Bonilla, who will model a David Tutera wedding gown during the grand finale of a fashion show on May 20. JENNIFER AMATO Lori said business is built on happiness and advertisers seek smiling faces.

“Chloe has a true, sincere, contagious smile,” Lori said. “She’s happy-go-lucky and always looks at the sunny side of things.”

The Almeidas are especially proud of their daughter’s character after an accident at the age of 7 that split her face open from her inner eye to her forehead.

“The plastic surgeon counted 43 stitches,” Lori said. “We didn’t think that Chloe would work after that. Her scar is visible, but she is not self-conscious of it.”

Lori said people make too much of child modeling, which her family considers simple. “Just be a kid,” she said. “Directors look for down-to-earth kids and parents. It’s definitely attainable and not something you dump money into.”

Lori said beyond paying for gas, tolls and parking, her family never had to spend money on having a portfolio made or any of the other services some agencies charge for.

“It’s not something you pay somebody to get your child into,” she said. “You get paid. You don’t pay anybody.”

Chloe is currently holding for jobs with Claire’s boutique and Justice clothing for girls. When she sizes out of working for print advertisements, she hopes to continue modeling for television commercials. Her dream is to open a clothing company with her best friend. Chloe has been designing clothes, shoes and accessories since the third grade.

“I don’t know what would happen if I become a fashion designer,” Chloe said. “I guess I could model my own clothes.” percent Remy human hair available in lengths of 16, 18 or 20 inches for around $300 to $400. The hair can be straightened, curled, washed, colored and highlighted.

“This saves money. There’s no more headaches, no more sitting in a salon for four to five hours. It’s cost-effective. People don’t have $5,000 to $10,000 to spend on hair weaving,” De- Pinto said.

The product will be launched during a fashion show May 20 at Fire & Ice, 583 Fords Ave. in Fords, offered by her friend, owner Riz Awwal. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. on the second floor, and the show starts at 9, expecting to last about a halfhour.

Disc jockey Colin Fitzgerald, who goes by the moniker That Moment, will provide music as Christine Baglioni photographs the girls.

During the show, five local models will wear dresses designed byAlberto Pachecko of Fords.

Elizabeth Nastus, 24, of Monmouth Junction, and Lauren Mazukiewicz will apply a basic red lipstick and light smoky eye shadow to the models using D’Bella’s custom blended makeup.

Natalia Riley, 27, of South Brunswick, is excited for her first attempt at modeling. She said she loves “big hair” and was impressed by the way B’Dazzled accentuated her already-wavy hair.

“It’s just like my hair,” she said.

The grand finale will feature Denisse Bonilla, 26, of North Brunswick, as a bride wearing a David Tutera wedding gown.

She will debut a bridal couture headpiece, which could cost between $600 and $900. The current product is hair attached to a tulle veil, but she will have crystals placed directly onto the hair.

Anu Shree, of Franklin, will apply henna to Bonilla’s forearms to give the appearance of gloves. Besides giving their new product exposure, DePinto said she wanted to bring together small business owners in order to help each other out.

“If small businesses try to work together, we can find a way to get through this economy,” said the former model, who has been featured on billboards and the covers of romance novels.

“It’s always important to support your local community,” Bonilla added, “because you want to get small businesses exposure.”

“And it’s good to keep money in your own town,” Riley said .

The salon is located at 3171 Route 27 south in Franklin Park behind the Dunkin’ Donuts. Services are by appointment. Call 732- 297-1116 or visit www.dbellasalon.com.

No reservations are needed for the fashion show.