As a young girl, Amber Bisking always wanted to be in the spotlight. She recently got to live out that dream on the catwalk during Philadelphia Fashion Week.

Held for the first time in the city of brotherly love in October, Fashion Week gave many models a glimpse of what it is like to walk in a high-fashion show, according to Kristen Insalaco, spokesperson for Insalaco Public Relations, the firm which handled the event.

"She is now has photos out there in designers' look books and has gained a lot of exposure as Fashion Week was attended by several thousand," Insalaco said.

Bisking attended Manheim Central, moved to Lancaster and graduated from J. P. McCaskey High School in 2003. She did print work in catalogs and mall fashion shows in her early years of modeling at 14.

At 18, she began to get booked more for industry shows and car shows and began to pursue a career in fashion modeling.

"I worked a 9-to-5 job, but it just was hard to get booked (for modeling) because I wasn't available," Bisking said.

After she lost her mother in a car accident, Bisking moved to Florida for a few years and only recently returned to make modeling a full-time job.

"(My mother) knew it was my dream, and I was determined to see it through the best that I can," Bisking said.

Determined not to be overlooked because of her 5-foot-7 height, which is considered short for a fashion model, Bisking knows just how to present herself and sell herself as taller.

Bisking works closely with Tony Gibble, of Gibble Photography and Modeling in Lancaster and has done many photo shoots with Gibble. She also works with Wilhemena of PA, who was the exclusive model company for the Philadelphia Fashion Week shows, according to Insalaco. In addition to these companies, Bisking is signed with other agencies in other regions.

"You have to keep your options open and work wherever you can," Bisking said.

Logging almost 52,000 miles on her car in a little over a year, Bisking has traveled to many states for modeling work.

"It's like starting in any business," Bisking said. "It's a lot of networking and being available to go where they need you to go."

It's not just the exposure that she enjoys when modeling, it's the thrill of being on stage in front of everyone that gets Bisking excited about opportunities such as Fashion Week. Having a love of fashion and all things that go with it for most of her life, Bisking quickly became a fan of many of the designers throughout the three-day show.

Walking in the shows for Moore College, Philadelphia University and the Art Institute of Philadelphia, Bisking was able to model an wide variety of fashion styles. From swimsuits to haute couture evening gowns, the days were filled with show after show. From well-known designers to emerging artists, the show gave exposure to everyone involved, Insalaco said.

The quick changes required from show to show took its toll on Bisking's skin and hair, as each designer required the models to don a different hairstyle and makeup look for each show.

"I had to make sure to take care of my hair immediately after the shows because it had been teased, sprayed and styled to death," Bisking said.

Although she was not paid for any of the modeling shows, the experience and photos from the shows can be taken with her to her next modeling audition.

The thrill of being backstage during the first Philadelphia Fashion Week is something that Bisking will not soon forget. The controlled chaos of models running here and there, stylists working on the clothing, photographers snapping photos and designers making last-minute adjustments before sending out the models was pure excitement for Bisking.

"You definitely could not be shy," Bisking said. "You would run back from your walk, a group of people would rip the clothes off of you and another would throw your next outfit on you and send you off.

"It was so great," Bisking said. "I just want the chance to do it again."

Cesbenshade@lnpnews.com