Fashion modelling rookie Thando Hopa found the industry "shallow" until Gert-Johan Coetzee snapped her up for his show at tonight's penultimate day of the SA Fashion Week.

LOCAL fashion modelling rookie Thando Hopa found the industry "shallow" until Gert-Johan Coetzee snapped her up for his show at tonight's penultimate day of the SA Fashion Week.

The 23-year-old is only used to one call time - 8am on a daily basis before heading to court with a car boot full of dockets.

Hopa is a prosecutor at the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court.

Hopa, who was born with albinism, was spotted by the designer in July at a mall in Cresta, Johannesburg. Coetzee convinced her to showcase his designs.

She said yesterday: "I've actually had three offers to do modelling before, which I dismissed.

"A few months ago my sister told me this might be a way to help people - that modelling might give me a way to change people's perceptions of albinism. Her words came back to me as I was considering this offer."

She said this time the opportunity was "exceptional", and had in fact also changed her own perception about the industry.

.