alice burdeu and "top model"

Tyra's "Top Model" franchise hasn't only produced mediocrity; a winner actually emerged from her show: Alice Burdeu. She has broke the barrier between being a "Top Model" Winner and becoming an actual, well, model. Granted, the girl won "Australia's Next Top Model", but it still astounds me when actual successful models are produced out of the Ms. Bank's franchise, when the typical advice is to "smile with your eyes" or "squint to add eye intensity".

With her porcelain doll mug and Elson red hair, Alice Burdeu took advantage of the Elite contract she won, and ended up shuttling to New York, where she walked in Proenza Schouler, Marc Jacobs, Marchesa, amongst others. Not only did she score big runway mileage in New York, she totally went to Dolce & Gabbana, Jil Sander, Moschino in Milan and walked Louis Vuitton, Dries Van Noten, McQueen, and others in Paris. And you know you dug yourself out of the stagnant depths of Top Model-dom when you've got a style.com and nymag profile, and constant hype and publicity.

I mean really, the American winners get contracts with Elite (an agency which is gaining momentum, what with head bobber Karlie Kloss and Ali Stephens) and Tyra shovels on a CoverGirl contract to top things off. Even after 10 cycles, America's Next Top Model winners have faded into obscurity while a rising star like Alice has risen to the top. Now, can someone demystify this contrast between the "winners" from America's Next Top Model and Alice Burdeu? Could it be Tyra's obssession with putting ratty weaves and extensions in the girl's hair during makeover time? Discuss.

Photos - style.com