With less than three weeks left to New Jersey Fashion Week, dozens of models lined up Tuesday at Ripley Studios in New York to compete for the runway in the West Orange-based event.

Spearheaded by Donnella Tilery, of DC Showroom (formerly Donnella's Closet), and Jack Panico, of Panico Salon & Spa, the two-day show will bring celebrities, media and fashion buyers to Pleasantdale Chateau, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Oct. 11 and Oct. 12. Tilery initiated NJFW and Panico joined later as a co-founder, incorporating hair and beauty.

The models vied Tuesday for spots to showcase lines from Adolfo Sanchez, of Los Angeles, Kahri Ann Kerr, of Brooklyn, N.Y., Veronica Spadaro, of Florence, Italy, Elene Cassis, of New York, and Thomas Lavone, of Newark.

Panico said he planned to leave the model call with around 10 models. Two of them are Fanny Avreu, of the Dominican Republic, and Massera Winigah, of Brooklyn.

View the audio slideshow to hear their stories.

West Orange Patch will have full coverage of the two-day event, including up-to-the-minute, live blogging from Pleasantdale Chateau.