If you’re familiar with Polo or Purple Label from designer Ralph Lauren, you know his clothing collections exude elegance, charm, a sense of finesse and freshness many enjoy.

Selma-native Celie McGilberry, 4, will get a chance to be a style icon of her own. Ralph Lauren personnel will fly McGilberry to New York City to take part in the 2012 Ralph Lauren Childrenswear Spring collection, Polo Ralph Lauren National Advertising Shoot and receive her own Ralph Lauren wardrobe.

McGilberry was chosen as the 2011 winner of Lauren’s International Facebook RLGang contest held in March. Parents from all over the U.S. and United Kingdom uploaded their children’s photos to the website to share with family and friends. Children aged 3-7 with the most votes were placed in a top-10 finalist category. McGilberry, who was notified on April 15 of her win, will be one of many models set to appear in the future RLGang children’s book series.

Deann McGilberry, Celie’s mother, is thrilled.

“We thought it’d be a long shot to send in Celie’s picture, but we just took a chance and tried it anyway,” Deann said. “We’re just so excited about someone from Alabama, even Selma, being a part of this. Celie’s pumped up as well, even telling people she’s a model already.”

Newly launched in March, the RLGang Spring 2011 collection storybook will feature child models showcasing 17 new looks from the spring collection. A customer who likes an outfit can choose to view that character’s “virtual closet” to shop similar looks. A customer can also purchase a look instantly, with 15 percent of total proceeds going to Room to Grow, a nonprofit organization that helps pregnant mothers in poverty.

When Celie was born, doctors diagnosed her with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, or CDH, or born without a diaphragm or a hole in the diaphragm. The stomach, intestines, spleen or liver can go into the missing area and interrupt breathing. Doctors performed surgery on then 4-day-old Celie to close up her hole that had widened, and Deann said Celie has been healthy ever since.

“She’s happy and is active — taking gymnastics and ballet,” Deann said. “She’s living like any normal child would and we’re lucky to have her because children with CDH don’t have her success rate. We hope this contest will give us a chance to put a face on CDH and bring awareness to it.”

Deanne, a graduate of Selma High, encourages parents with talented children to take risks when a once-in-a lifetime opportunity knocks.

“I love Selma and there’s so much talent here,” she said. “Whether your child is in music or is a model, hopefully Celie’s opportunity will be an encouragement to other young people to just go for it.”