A RISING star of the modelling world has just returned from the catwalks of one of the world’s fashion capitals.

Miranda Markham was at Milan Fashion Week where she rubbed shoulders with the biggest names in the fashion business.

The 16-year-old, who attends Haslingden High School Sixth Form, has been modelling for two years and has graced the pages of ID magazine and Vogue Italia, before she was given the opportunity to walk in designer Chanel Joan Kayam’s show in Milan.

Miranda, of Rawtenstall, said: “It was amazing, every single bit of it. From start to finish I just loved it.

“I already knew a lot people there because I’ve worked with a lot of them on other jobs.

“It was so relaxed, I’d be chatting away with someone and they’d just casually mention they’ve worked in fashion week for the past 10 years.”

Miranda, who models under the pseudonym Billie Jean, hopes to follow in the footsteps of supermodel Agyness Deyn who also hails from Rossendale, and forge a full-time career in the fashion industry.

Agyness, whose real name is Laura Hollins, attended All Saints’ RC High School, Rawtenstall, before going on to take A levels at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School.

She was spotted as a teenager while shopping with fashion designer and friend Henry Holland in London. However, Miranda’s story is not so glamorous. She said: “It all started with a Meal Deal in Tesco.

“I went to get my lunch and had some money left over so had a look at the magazines.

“I picked up Vogue and just thought it was amazing, but then I couldn’t actually afford to buy it. I’ve been obsessed with fashion ever since.”

Miranda’s mum Nicola, sensing her potential, sent some holiday snaps off to a modelling agency Maverick Models, and Billie Jean was born.

Now preparing for her A levels, Miranda still lives and breathes fashion, often turning heads and raising eyebrow with her outfit choices.

She said: “I’m still as obsessed with it as I was when I first read Vogue.

“My friends are really supportive because I wear some odd outfits to sixth form, but they know it’s just my fashion taste.”

The teen, who is studying history, art, theatre studies and English literature, said she hopes to go on to study fashion communication.

She said: “I want to get my A levels, because if modelling doesn’t work out or I don’t enjoy it anymore I want to make sure I have something to fall back on. I just want to be working in the fashion industry, the atmosphere is amazing.

“In the media there are parts of the industry that come across badly but I’ve never experienced that.

“I’m on a constant buzz.”