VOTING is now open to find the Face of Oxford to launch Oxford Fashion Week 2014.

People can now vote for their favourite model on Facebook to choose who they want to represent the week-long fashion event.

Fifty models were shortlisted out of 135 hopefuls at Malmaison Oxford last weekend.

They will all appear during at at least one of the five shows during fashion week.

Judges have selected selected 11 finalists from the 50 and they will appear in all five shows being held during the event.

The finalists will be featuring in shows modelling everything from high street clothes and couture fashion to lingerie.

Aisling Longshaw, of Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, is using this as an opportunity to kick-start her modelling career.

The 18-year-old said: “This is the perfect first show for me to do. It is a relaxed atmosphere and everyone seems nice.

“If I won it would be such a boost. It would let me get out there. I’m taking this really seriously.”

By contrast, Oliver Callaghan, from Cholsey, nearly didn’t audition.

He said: “I was told by a few people that I had the looks to do it.

“I was only in Oxford by accident because of the flooding so my sister and I went along to cast.”

The trainee chef said: “This is the first modelling thing I’ve done so I’m excited about it. This could be a new thing for me.”

Oxford Fashion Week director Carl Anglim said the public vote was one important factor to select the Face of Oxford but not the only factor.

He added: “The key factors are someone who can represent Oxford Fashion Week – confident, professional and reliable, someone with a dynamic look that is capable of modelling a range of different styles and the decisions of the public and the casting directors.”

Tiffany Saunders, of Witney, was the Face of Oxford in 2010 and has since been signed to Zone models and now models professionally.

She said: “It was a massive boost to my confidence and it gave me great experience at doing catwalk shows.

“It just gives you connections and contacts in the industry which you can use to help your career.”

Voting will close at noon on Friday February 21 and the winner will be announced that evening.

To vote go to facebook.com/oxfordfashionweek

THE 11 frontrunners:

Moresche Bartley, 19, from Oxford, student at Oxford Brookes University

Cara Kealy, 19, from Woodstock, Oxford City College fashion student

Amelia Coe, 20, from London, student at Lincoln College, Oxford

Nadina Bodean, 22, from Oxford, student at Oxford Brookes

Aisling Longshaw, 18, from Princes Risborough, a dance student

Sonya Cook, 18, from Oxford, student at Matthew Arnold School

Phoebe Drinkall, 20, from Oxford, student at Oxford Brookes

Oliver Callaghan, 17, from Cholsey, City of Oxford College student

Ophelia Leste, 18, from Henley, student at Abingdon & Witney College

Mintaah Djin, 26, student at Said Business School

Ed Hayden, 21, from Oxford, student at Oxford Brookes