They're all ready to walk in style

TNP PHOTO: GAVIN FOO

These girls -- (above, from left) Nadiah Sapuan, Ho Sin and Charmaine Miranda -- are among the 20 finalists in The New Paper’s New Face 2012 who will be at the Big Walk on Sept 2.

For Nadiah, the Big Walk holds memories that span more than half her life.

Nadiah, 19, an ITE College East sports management student, took part in the Big Walk when she was nine years old, in 2002, when 69,000 people took part.

It was time for fun with family and friends. In fact, she went with a group of six – her family of five and her dad’s friend. She remembers starting at the National Stadium.

She said: “We woke up really early just to travel to the venue. It was quite hot and we went prepared with hats and umbrellas.

“Oh, there were lots of people, music and goodie bags too.”

Nadiah is among the 20 finalists in TNP’s New Face 2012 who will be at the Big Walk.

To prepare for their appearance, the New Face girls customised their Denizen T-shirts.

Big Walk participants can redeem their limited-edition Denizen T-shirt worth $29.90 and may customise it as they wish.

The T-shirt is part of $700 worth of goodies and vouchers that the participants will receive.

This year’s Big Walk will be held on Sept 2, from 7.45am to noon, starting at Central shopping mall and ending at the Marina Barrage, where participants can join a carnival.

Big Walkers can interact with the New Face girls and admire their edgy, creative T-shirts as they cheer the walkers at the starting point and finish line.

Although New Face finalists Miranda and Ho have not been to the Big Walk before, they have some idea of what to expect.

Said Miranda, 22, who recently graduated from the National University of Singapore (NUS): “It’s going to be a big event, so I’m sure there’ll be a crowd. I’m looking forward to the freebies and good music.

“Of course, it’ll also be fun meeting the readers and sharing in their excitement at completing the walk.”

Ho, 18, an NUS engineering undergraduate, agreed.

She said: “I’m not a sporty person and I don’t experience this often, but I’m sure there’ll be families bonding and lots of athletes there.

“I’m hoping to see hunks with washboard abs. They’ll be good eye candy.”

New Face finalists’ T-shirt designs

NADIAH SAPUAN
Style: Edgy, punky (sleeveless, with a skull design cut out at the back of the T-shirt)
Inspiration: “I like skulls and bones, and this design reflects my interests.
“I love wearing sleeveless tops because I’ve been working out and want to show my biceps.
“The tying of the shirt is to add a touch of femininity. It’s supposed to resemble a bow.”

HO SIN
Style: Hippie bohemian
Inspiration: “The main inspiration came from a model, Cara Delevingne, who has a loud, grungy style.
“She often wears bandanas, round glasses and cropped shirts.
“I decided to try to make a fringe shirt because it’s trendy and I see a lot of people wearing it.”

CHARMAINE MIRANDA
Style: Sweet and girly
Inspiration: “I wanted to make it more fitting, so I tied ribbons at the sleeves. It also gives the shirt more shape.
“Here’s a fun fact – the ribbons are made from the scraps of cloth that were cut out.
“The boat neck makes it look more feminine and the knotting at the bottom rounds it up with a girly touch.”

The Big Walk has been a sell-out event for the last few years, so be sure to sign up quickly.

Register from 11am to 8pm today, tomorrow and from Aug 17 to 19 at various locations.

For more details, check out The New Paper Big Walk microsite.