The heady allure of the London art scene has drawn two models away from the fashion world, and in a new direction.
Nellie and Elza Jenkins were back in Dunedin yesterday to spend Christmas with family, after leaving Dunedin in 2012.
The 22-year-old twins became Dunedin and New Zealand identities through modelling work and their appearance on New Zealand's Next Top Model.
The pair have been living in Auckland for the past few months and plan to return to the United Kingdom.
Their initial time in London gave some cause for trepidation.
Their mother, Rachael Jenkins, was with them for six weeks, then got on the train at King's Cross.
''She got on the train back to Heathrow,'' Nellie said.
''We looked at each other - we're 19 in London, what do we do?''
That concern did not last long, however.
''We met a lot of people in the same situation as us. Everybody helps each other,'' Elza said.
Art modelling is their new passion.
A photograph of them ended up in the National Portrait Gallery in London, after photographer Hana Knizova won a prize for a photographic portrait Elza and Nellie.
Their future may not be in high fashion modelling.
''We've always had this artistic side,'' Nellie said.
''That's what we're falling in love with.''
