Three years ago Bermudian model Aliana King was given the nickname “Maybelline” when she took to the stage for the first time at the Bermuda Fashion Festival.

Now the nickname has become a reality, with the 18-year-old being featured in the September issue of Vogue in an advertisement for Maybelline.

Ms King said it was a dream come true to appear in the iconic fashion magazine’s biggest issue of the year.

She said: “It was exciting for me because it was a full-circle moment. Bermuda Fashion Festival nicknamed me ‘Maybelline’ three years ago when I first modelled for them — they said I had a Maybelline face.

“I never thought that was a possibility but being able to not only model for Maybelline but for it to be in Vogue magazine is a dream come true.”

She said she was particularly excited to be part of a historic issue of the magazine. Ms King said: “It’s the first time a black female — Beyoncé — has full creative control over the shoot.

“It was shot by a black photographer who is the first black photographer to shoot a cover of Vogue in the publication’s 126-year history.

She added: “Being a part of something so great means so much to me. I’ve been getting so much support from everyone both who know me and who just follow what I do.”

Ms King said her shoot was done in April with photographer Ben Hassett and she had looked forward to seeing it in print since then.

She added: “I was excited for it to come out, but I was also focusing on a lot of things, so the wait didn’t feel long at all.”

Ms King told The Royal Gazette she didn’t originally plan to become a model, but decided to audition for the Bermuda Fashion Festival for fun and fell in love with it. Since then, she has appeared in a range of commercials and advertisements.

Asked what advice she would give young people interested in modelling, she said the Bermuda Fashion Festival is an excellent way to get involved.