ST. CHARLES – Daniela Kapusta wasn’t even supposed to be a part of a fashion show in November. But she seized her first modeling opportunity and has watched it become much more.

The 17-year-old St. Charles resident said she was helping out with the Live Out Loud Charity Fashion Show, which featured her friend, 15-year-old Claudia Sitko. A model didn’t show up, and Kapusta was given the chance to step in. Chicago photographer Thomas H.P. “Jerry” Jerusalem took note of Kapusta and Sitko at the show and offered a photo shoot.

The resulting shoot – which featured the girls wearing vintage clothing in and around a 1960s Mustang for a Route 66 road trip theme – ended up being featured on the Vogue Italia website.