Exciting experience for model

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Caleigh Corbett, 13, of Naperville models clothes from Lillian's. Photo courtesy of Kevin Ramos Photography

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Updated: April 19, 2011 4:50AM

The 630 Fashion Show was a runway success for everyone involved — NCO Youth and Family Services, organizers 2K Productions, local boutiques, fashion designers and models.

But no one was more excited than the youngest model of all, 13-year-old Caleigh Corbett, one of three Naperville hopefuls chosen to take part in a special model call to find emerging talent.

The Sun was behind the scenes at the Hotel Arista with the Kennedy Junior High eighth-grader every step of the way.

Friday, 6:05 p.m.: As Caleigh meets with local boutique owners, her mom Cynthia waits in a corridor behind the ballroom where the fashion show is to be held.

“Caleigh has been modeling since she was 8 years old, she’s taken part in the Naperville Junior Woman’s Club fashion shows five times,” she said. “It’s exciting and fun to see her on stage. It makes me proud.”

6:10 p.m.: Caleigh is trying on some of the clothes she’ll be wearing. “I’m very excited. I am feeling confident,” she says. “I love all the attention. I really like clothes and accessories.”

Ursula Shroeder of Lillian’s Shoppe in Naperville is excited to have Caleigh modeling her clothes.

“This is our first year carrying clothes,” she said. “We started with handbags only. This is fabulous.” She said this season ruffles, studied belts and head wraps will be “huge,” and shows Caleigh how to wear them.

6:30 p.m.: Off to Room 312 for hair and makeup by Star Artistry.

Makeup artist Joann Bosnos decides on a classic look.

“Because of her age and small frame we won’t do anything too over the top,” she said. “We’re going to keep it classic and basic.”

6:45 p.m.: The room is buzzing as Caleigh and the other Naperville model search winners get their makeup and hair done.

Marcela O’Brien, 37, used to model in her hometown in Bolivia before moving to Naperville.

“I would love to do more modeling here,” she said. “I just love the spotlight.”

Former model Sarah Bellazia, 26, only found out about the search two hours before it was due to happen.

“I was one of the last to arrive,” she explained. “I used to watch ‘American’s Next Top Model’ on TV and practiced walking like they did. I guess it worked.”

7:06 p.m.: After rubbing some stray red lipstick off her teeth, Caleigh says: “I can be a tomboy if I want to, but I’m really a girly girl.”

7:20 p.m.: With her blonde hair now a mass of curls, Caleigh heads back downstairs where guests are arriving. As they mingle over cocktails and appetizers she heads backstage with the other models, many of whom are professionals. With her hair and makeup done, she looks just as sophisticated as they do.

Confidently she says: “I guess if I fell over on the runway I would just get up and pretend nothing happened.”

8:40 p.m.: Caleigh is ready in the first of four outfits: Black skinny jeans with zippers up the back of the legs, a black and white striped tee with jacket from Naperville boutique Bella Caley.

“Everything is so cute, I would like to buy everything,” she giggles.

9:01 p.m.: Caleigh is in line with the other girls, nervous. After looking so grown up for a split second she looks like a little girl clutching on to her stomach to knock the life out of the butterflies inside.

9:10 p.m.: Showtime!

9:11 p.m.: She’s off the runway and heading back to change into her next outfit.

“My heart is banging,” she laughs. “Everyone was screaming. It was so much fun.”

She quickly changes into her next outfit. Caley Clinton, who has run Bella Caley with her mom Cindy Meals since June says: “Our clothes are for everyone from young girls to more mature women who want to look fashionable. It’s been a dream come true to have a store like this together.”

9:45 p.m.: As the models leave the runway, Ron Hume, executive director of NCO Youth and Family Services, takes the microphone. He hopes the event, now in its third year, will raise up to $8,000 for the not-for-profit, which celebrates its 40th anniversary next year.

“I think it’s just been an awesome, awesome show,” he says. “NCO is very, very honored to be selected as the beneficiary this year.”

9:50 p.m.: Backstage Caleigh says: “I wish the show was still going on. It was so much fun I would really like to do it again next year. Everyone was so nice.”Story starts here.