African models have successfully broken the stereotypes and making the continent proud get to know some of Africa models both male and female from the continent.
The winners of Miss and Mrs. India Kenya 2023 will represent the nation in India in 2024. The talent show on August 17 at Bao Box was followed by the 2023 Miss & Mrs India Kenya pageant at the Broadwalk Mall. Since 2016, Eventique has hosted The Miss India Kenya, and most recently, The Mrs. India Kenya, which will take place in 2021.
There were 11 finalists in the Miss category and 9 finalists in the Mrs. category this year. Pranav Pancholi, Susan Kaittany, Lolita Kozyreva, Ahmed Hafez, Farah Esmail, and Farouk Jannedy made up the panel of judges. The performance featured a number of runways, including a safari-themed runway, with contestants parading next to a guest drummer and guitarist.
Angela Muiruri and Jamil Alibhai served as the event’s emcees and guided the audience through the top 5 questions and answers. Ushma Khetia Samani was named Mrs. India Kenya in 2023, while Soumya Uppal was named Miss India Kenya in 2023.
Following the competition, Eventique and the winners donate to charities like Women4Cancer and the Hawkers Market Girls Center. According to Aliza Rajan, director of Eventique, “This year we launched the Aliza Rajan foundation, a non-governmental organization established to uplift and empower women from rural areas of Kenya through the teaching of basic entrepreneurial skills and ultimately assisting them to establish small-scale businesses to earn an income.”
Both winners will represent Kenya on a global stage at Miss India Worldwide 2024 the following year.
Miss India Worldwide builds on a rich tradition of pageants like the Miss India New York and the Miss India USA Pageants, which have been held annually since 1980. Miss India Worldwide is produced by the IFC, a pioneer organization in conducting Indian pageants and fashion shows in the USA and worldwide.
Content courtesy of Capital Fm, Miss/Mrs India Kenya & NFH
An Overview of Miss & Mrs. India Kenya 2023’s Grand Finale The Broadwalk Mall came into the spotlight on the romantic evening of August 19, creating the scene for a night of splendor and grace as the Miss & Mrs. India Kenya 2023 grand finale took place. After the captivating talent show at Bao Box on August 17, excitement was high for a party that expertly mixed class, empowerment, and style. Since holding the famous Miss India Kenya pageant in 2016, Eventique, the driving force behind this illustrious event, has served as a beacon of Indian culture and empowerment. Continuing their history, they expanded the platform in 2021 by introducing the Mrs. India Kenya category and showcasing the inspiring stories of married ladies.
With 11 excellent contestants competing for the Miss title and 9 exceptional women competing for the Mrs. title, this year’s pageant had an impressive lineup of finalists. A prestigious team of judges, including notables like Pranav Pancholi, Susan Kaittany, Lolita Kozyreva, Ahmed Hafez, Farah Esmail, and Farouk Jannedy, were tasked with choosing the winners. The energetic emcees Jamil Alibhai and Angela Muiruri presided over the event. From the introduction of the inspirational contestants to the intensive top 5 question and answer session that displayed their humor and intelligence, their captivating presence led the audience through every moment.
The evening’s soul was captured in the dramatic crowning moments. Ushma Khetia Samani won the prestigious title of Mrs. India Kenya 2023, while Soumya Uppal was named Miss India Kenya 2023. These remarkable ladies represented true empowerment via their strength of character as well as their beauty and grace.
The significance of the event went beyond the glitz and glitter and included social responsibility. Highlighting the event’s dedication to social change, Eventique and the newly crowned queens committed their support to Women4Cancer and the Hawkers Market Girls Center.
The inspiring event’s creator, Aliza Rajan, got up on stage and gave a moving statement. Aliza thanked the distinguished attendees, participants, and partners for their assistance in making the First joint Miss and Mrs. India Worldwide Kenya 2023 Gala Night a reality. She commended the candidates on their wonderful trip and emphasized the ties formed by the commitment of women of various ages and backgrounds.
Aliza’s words captured the spirit of the pageant, which was one of empowerment, teamwork, and personal development. The Aliza Rajan Foundation, a non-governmental organization devoted to empowering women in rural Kenya via the acquisition of crucial entrepreneurship skills, was also unveiled by Aliza Rajan, the inspirational director of Eventique.
This program closely aligns with the pageant’s mission to promote empowerment and open doors for long-term development. The Miss & Mrs. India Kenya 2023 Grand Finale’s conclusion signaled the start of a new era for the titleholders as well as the end of an event. Kenya will be represented by Soumya Uppal and Ushma Khetia Samani at The Miss India Worldwide 2024, a prominent competition organized by the IFC, a global pioneer in Indian pageants and fashion events.
Content courtesy of Go Places, Miss/Mrs India Kenya & NFH
The world has been attempting to describe her for three decades. The supermodel and campaigner, though, would rather handle things on her own terms. Naomi Campbell’s origin story plays a significant role in the mythos around her as a supermodel, activist, fashion star, and occasionally hothead. I’ll reiterate what you likely already know: Campbell, a 15-year-old schoolgirl from the relatively nondescript streets of London’s Streatham area, was discovered by a model scout while window-shopping in the city’s West End. It’s a very different narrative from how today’s most successful models appear to be found either via Instagram scouting or being thrust to the head of the line because of their well-known parents.
Together with Kate Moss, another ’90s icon (and close friend), Campbell is to blame for inspiring a generation of British teenage girls to try their hardest to appear “modely” as we browsed the expansive Topshop on Oxford Street in the hopes that we too might be “spotted” while out on a Saturday afternoon.
Campbell’s background gives the impression that a fortuitous encounter is what altered the course of her life as if hers is some type of “right place, right time” Cinderella tale. Then, however, as you’re seated next to her in a hotel suite in a secretive part of Europe, you realize that with a face like hers—those imposing cheekbones reaching upward as though in homage to the celestial entities that must have played a role—there must have been some sort of celestial influence.
Naomi Campbell was destined to become renowned because of how they were made and those full, proportionate lips. “I’ve been requested to write a book by virtually everyone,” she tells me, sinking into a sofa. The thought of a Campbell memoir is tantalizing one wonders what her perspective of the countless tabloid headlines that have been published about her would be but so far she’s held off. “It’s time-consuming,” she argues, and anyhow, she doesn’t want to use a ghostwriter. She prefers to tell her own story.
Campbell epitomizes Old Hollywood; she exudes the confidence of someone who has experienced pre-2000 stardom, or legitimate popularity.
She does not engage in the calculated humility or relatability politics that seem to be the norm among today’s rising stars. She constantly mentions the incredibly well-known celebrities and fashion designers she counts among her close pals, and her Instagram is covered in glitz and jet-setting.
She has managed to hang on to her position as the hot spot of fashion for more than three decades, and she will go down in the annals of the business. So of course I agree to quit everything the day after Christmas and board a plane in exchange for just one hour of her time.
Despite her haughtiness, Campbell can also be extremely girlish at times, such as when we sneak outside to her hotel room’s terrace so she may smoke a cigarette. She tells me in a slightly conspiratorial manner, “I’m going to resign on New Year’s Eve.”
Her recent travels included flights from Milan to Miami, Miami to London, London to Egypt (where she sat front row at a Dior menswear show), back to London for the British Fashion Awards, and then on to the Senegalese city of Dakar to see Chanel’s first-ever catwalk show in sub-Saharan Africa.
Saudi Arabia then travels to London. from London to New York. Get back to London. She will soon travel to the Middle East once again before returning to Senegal for a vacation.
She still puts forth a lot of effort, I wonder why. Most of her countrymen had long since retired, occasionally resurfacing for a legacy campaign but, for the most part, appearing glad to slow down. Campbell, in comparison, is still as booked and active as she was during her heyday in the 1990s; just this past year, she fronted advertisements for Balmain, Hugo Boss, and Pat McGrath Labs. What possible new peaks could she possibly climb?
“I just like what I do,” Campbell claims. “I consider myself fortunate to have the freedom to decide what I do at this stage in my life. And it’s a blessing that I still have access to so many wonderful chances. Why not then? She goes on to say, “I have nothing to prove. I enjoy doing it, so. Although my work is challenging, I enjoy it. The fact that you enjoy what you do is crucial. I still find enjoyment in what I do. For quite some time, that effort has not only involved modeling.
Now, a large portion of Campbell’s time is devoted to activism, philanthropy, and cultural ambassadorship, frequently through Fashion for Relief, the nonprofit organization she established in 2005 to support Hurricane Katrina victims and which has since raised more than $15 million charitable causes around the world.
She introduced Emerge in October with a star-studded gala and fashion show in Qatar, an effort aimed at finding and nurturing the following generation of creative talent from emerging communities around the world. In layman’s words, that refers to internships, coaching, and skill development in the creative industries, which include tech, art, entertainment, and fashion in addition to fashion.
The number of young models Campbell has taken under her wing is another indication of her commitment to supporting the next generation of fashion creatives. Adut Akech, a doll-faced 23-year-old model from South Sudan who is currently one of the most in-demand faces in the business, is one of those people.
This is large because of Campbell’s backing for her career.
“You know how a mother takes care of her child? I always feel comfortable when I’m around her,” adds Akech. “She’s like a comforter. I feel like I have another mother figure who is raising me even though I’m so far away from my original mother. On the set of Tim Walker’s Alice in Wonderland-themed Pirelli Calendar photo shoot, which famously included an all-Black ensemble, Akech first met Campbell in 2017. That was a “fangirl moment,” according to Akech, “but I was like, ‘Don’t be strange.’ ” A few months later, when she moved to New York City by herself, she contacted Campbell because she had given her phone number. She treats me the same way she would treat her own daughter, says Akech
“She always makes sure I get into my car safely whenever I hang out with her. As soon as you get home, text me. If I don’t SMS her, she won’t go to sleep. Mothering can be done in a variety of ways. When I bring up the subject, Campbell replies, “I mother a lot of people. She claims that her desire to be one has always been clear. “Always.”
Campbell announced the birth of her daughter in May 2021. It didn’t matter when she claims. “Everyone’s life develops in a unique way. And it’s about who, and it’s a crucial question because you need to be certain that you’re doing that with the appropriate person.
For the rest of your life, you are linked. She takes a momentary pause that seems to last much longer. “For that reason, I decided to go it alone.” Yet starting out as a single parent at 50 is a big commitment. Was she not afraid of the possibility? “No.” In no way? “No, no.” After some time, she changes her mind. “Yes, I suppose I might be anxious in the sense of wondering if I’m doing everything correctly. Yet, you follow the flow. The actress Cameron Diaz (or “Cammie,” as Campbell calls her), who Campbell now consults for parenting guidance, was one of the few individuals Campbell told about her plans to have a kid.
She’s someone I’ve known for a very long time, and I genuinely respect and love her. When I told her, she just said, “Alright,” She’s just a solid, trustworthy friend.
Nevertheless, Campbell is hesitant to talk much about parenting because she doesn’t want it to become the focal point of her public persona—a sentiment that many women who become mothers would understand.
The sun is starting to set while we are still outside on the terrace, where we have moved permanently from the hotel room. It is an impossibly lovely scene, perched high on a hill and looking down at the dazzling lights of a nearby town. In light of this, Campbell relaxes.
Though Campbell frequently describes herself as a “global citizen,” it is obvious that this is the region of the world that genuinely has captured her heart. In the coming days, she will travel to Senegal for a holiday. “I immediately sense the absence of racism as soon as I land in Africa. So that’s a big tick off the box,” she says, noting the psychological weight that is lifted when one can simply blend in with their skin folk and not have to worry about the possibility of a racial microaggression (as much as someone as famous as her can ever truly blend in).
Campbell speaks wistfully of Kenya, her home country, and its breathtaking natural beauty.
She talks eloquently about Senegalese dishes like thieboudienne and yassa as she says, “I’m just happy that people are finally understanding how beautiful the African continent is. (Sensing a chance, I attempt to prod her into choosing a side in the “jollof wars,” a jocular competition between diasporic Ghanaians and Nigerians over which country makes the best jollof rice, but she politely avoids my attempts to coax her to join Team Nigeria. I won’t be participating.
The title of Miss World Kenya for the year 2022–23 was bestowed to Kenyan model Chantou Kwamboka on Saturday, December 10, 2022.
After winning, Kwamboka received grooming services valued at Sh250 000 and Sh500 000. She had previously placed first in the Miss World Kenya 2021 competition.
Immediately before Miss World Kenya Sharon Obara, she has assumed the throne. At the Two Rivers Mall in Nairobi, Miss World Kenya’s Gala was co-hosted by KTN’s Claudia Naisabwa and Kiss FM personality Oga Obinna.
Kenyan Model Chantou Kwamboka was crowned Miss World Kenya for the year 2022/23 @TwoRivers_KE Following the win, Kwamboka took home Sh250, 000 and Sh500, 000 worth of grooming services. Before the win, she was the 1st Runner Up in the 2021 Miss World Kenya.#MissworldKenyapic.twitter.com/4da7N6ng9D
Ababu Namwamba, the Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports, and the Arts, attended the gala for the 2022 Miss World Kenya. 17 women qualified for the Miss World Kenya 2022 finals this year.
Ms. Faith Wanjiku Kariuki and Ms. Wabaiya Kariuki were named as the first and second runners-up, respectively, at an event held at the Two Rivers Mall.
The first international pageant to be held each year was Miss World. The pageant was founded in 1951, and its slogan, “Beauty With A Purpose,” refers to its main message, which is a call to action that goes beyond outward beauty and explores how beauty can be a platform for change. What effect contestants can have on the lives of people in their community is the pageant’s central theme. With the intention of finding the future generation’s role model, Mr. and Miss World Kenya strives to represent this in all of our efforts.
Over the years, Ashleys Kenya, owners of Ashleys Hair & Beauty Academy, has developed a reputation as a major force in the pageantry and beauty industries. An impactful crown was beautifully celebrated during the 50th Miss World Kenya pageant. With the assistance of an experienced panel of judges that was made up of:
1. The Founder and CEO, of Ashleys Kenya Limited and the Franchise Director of Miss World Kenya – Mrs. Terry Mungai 2. Mr. Graham Shaw – CEO, Wilken Group 3. Ms. Tanya Martin – Philanthropy Ambassador, Diplomat Liaison Director, Podcaster 4. Ms. Angela Muiruri – Radio Anchor 5. Franklyn Asoyo – Mr. World Kenya 2019/2021 6. Khula Budi – Mr. World Kenya 2018/ pro fitness 7. Mr. Theodoros Pantis – Managing Director, Two Rivers Mall
The esteemed pageant draws more than 300 contestants from all around the nation each year and has changed the lives of more than 5000 young people just in the previous ten years.
Interested in making a career in fashion modeling? These dos and don’ts from seasoned experienced models give advice on how to succeed as a fashion model.
Do you want to learn the steps to modeling? Do you envision yourself as the next Gigi Hadid to grace the Vogue cover? With thousands of hopefuls vying for the title of the next supermodel, modeling has emerged as a highly coveted employment option. The likelihood of getting caught now is one in a million, so the days when you could rely on luck are long gone. It requires self-control, perseverance, and work to become a role model. To stand out and get recognized, you must plan, organize, and adhere to a strategy.
How to become a model? To help you break into the modeling business and launch your modeling career, we consulted with various successful models and agencies and put together the list of recommendations below. So, here’s a guide on how to begin modeling.
Develop your modeling skills
Practice model poses in front of the camera
Get a killer modeling portfolio
Find the right modeling agency
Do your research about the modeling agency you sign up with
Learn to embrace rejection
Make yourself constantly look better
Be safe
Be Professional
Commit to work
Build your social media following
Never let your pride down
1. Develop your modeling skills Learn the art of posing. Runway walking drills. Posing skills and walking style are what set one attractive model apart from another. It takes art to model. Whether it’s watching endless episodes of America’s Next Top Model on Netflix, flipping through the pages of Vogue, watching tutorials on YouTube, reading modeling e-books like glamour pictures photography, or picking a favorite model. On a runway, it can be incredibly uncomfortable to pose and move around. Practice. A piece of advice for modeling is as follows: Get used to posing in front of a camera and another person by having a buddy take photos of you. Alternately, before beginning your path to becoming a fashion model, start small, mount a camera on a tripod, and practice alone until your confidence increases.
2. Practice model poses in front of the camera Getting practice in front of the camera is the next stage to learning how to start modeling. The supermodels you see in stunning magazine photographs didn’t just stand in front of the lens and hope a talented fashion photographer caught them at the right moment. They assisted the photographer in producing a masterpiece. A model will use her posture, facial expressions, and artistic sense to help realize the photographer’s vision. They are both equally talented in their respective fields.
An important prerequisite for being a model is having the appropriate posing abilities. To make everything come to life on his end, the photographer will use his understanding of lighting, aperture, framing, etc. It’s a choreographed dance, therefore you should practice as much as you can. It will be 20 times more difficult to acquire a great image if you can’t pose and don’t feel comfortable in front of the camera. Make an effort to improve as a model!
3. Get a killer modeling portfolio Having a well-rounded modeling portfolio that highlights your best qualities through gorgeous, high-quality photos is one of the most important steps to becoming a model and building a solid profession. The modeling portfolio is one of the first things agencies and clients look for in a model to make a good first impression.
It helps to have both a printed copy that you can present when you meet someone in person and an online version (your modeling portfolio website) that you can send to anyone via email. To climb the modeling ladder, you need as much exposure as you can get.
4. Find the right modeling agency A modeling agency is necessary for every fashion model. Getting seen by a prominent modeling agency in your area is the first step to being signed by one. Snapshots of oneself must be submitted in order to be seen. In the business, these photos are frequently referred to as “digitals” or “polaroids.” The most straightforward and unposed photographs are what modeling agencies are searching for so they can see you for WHO YOU ARE. Send in pictures of you with minimal to no makeup on at most a light coat of foundation and mascara. Include images of both your hair up and down, pulled away from your face, and don’t style it (just make sure it’s clean).
The background must be simple and underacting (standing against a plain wall works best). Use natural lighting when taking pictures; a friend can simply serve as your photographer. If you have friends that are studying fashion design, be sure to heed their suggestions for your wardrobe. Your digitals should have the following pictures: full-length, up-close headshots, left and right side profiles, smiling (with teeth, without teeth), and non-smiling shots (both facing the camera and turned away from the camera). You should wear pants and a solid-colored t-shirt for your attire.
5. Do your research about the modeling agency you sign up with Do your study before submitting it to every modeling agency on the planet and see what sticks. Do your research about the modeling agency you sign up with Do your study before submitting to every modeling agency on the planet and seeing what sticks. List everything. Is this agency legitimate, which comes first and foremost? Do they have any negative reviews, and can their company be easily verified? Are models with your appearance and stature now being accepted by this modeling agency? What is the submission procedure for the modeling agency (detailed instructions differ by agency, but you should be able to obtain this information on their website)? Who are the current and former models for the agency? What are the newest advertising initiatives for the modeling agency? Are they collaborating with reputable brands and businesses? Do you WANT to be represented by this firm, which would mean that you would also be representing them?
Send digitals to your top choices once you’ve identified the modeling agencies you are convinced will be a good fit for you. If you get a call asking you to meet with an agency in person after submitting your digitals, do even more research ahead of time.
Learn about notable fashion designers, the ‘it’ supermodels of the time, and recent news in the fashion, beauty, and modeling industries. By no means do you need to be a walking “encyclopedia of fashion models”; just be observant and knowledgeable.
6. Learn to embrace rejection Prepare your mind to accept a lot of rejection. You MUST be capable of accepting doors closing in your face without hesitation. Even the most beautiful supermodels to ever walk the earth were given the “NO” signal. Numerous people told them “NO” in various ways and numerous repetitions. It comes with the territory to be rejected. You will do better if you realize and accept that as soon as possible. Do not measure your value by how you appear to others or by their approval of you.
Start getting ready by committing to ignoring any criticism you get this week. Find out if it was simple or challenging. You needed to develop tougher skin even more so the harder it was. Are you offended that I just encouraged you to develop a thicker skin? If so, the point is just that! Start honing your capacity to accept criticism with a smile! But don’t worry, with enough practice, anyone can pick up this skill. Every “NO” is simply one “NO” closer to a “YES,” so keep that in mind when you encounter rejection.
7. Make yourself constantly look better Take good care of your physique, health, skin, and hair. Whether you like it or not, modeling is an aesthetically focused industry, and appearance/beauty is unquestionably important. (Despite this, anyone can succeed as a commercial model regardless of physical attractiveness or body type.) The height and weight requirements for fashion models are, however, more stringent and severe than those for any other type of modeling. Although there isn’t much you can do about genetics, it IS up to you to utilize the genetic makeup that was given to you. You must follow your meticulous beauty routine if you want to become a model. The following routines, which are used by many supermodels, include but are not limited to the following:
Drinking copious amounts of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and maintain supple skin, quitting smoking, and consuming alcohol sparingly. Others include taking a multivitamin, working out 4-5 days a week, according to a strict diet/meal plan, wearing SPF, never going to bed in makeup, exfoliating/washing/moisturizing their face every morning and evening, and many others. Whether you are looking at it from a business or personal perspective, feeling and looking your best will only be beneficial to you. Win-win situation. But for any aspiring fashion model, having your beauty routine down pat is unquestionably a career benefit.
A model who takes pride in her appearance is far more valuable than one who is unmotivated to maintain good hygiene and attractiveness.
If your height and weight don’t meet the current standards for fashion models, you can still pursue modeling in a variety of other fields. To discover which genres you might be a good fit for, please read this essay on the many types of modeling.
8. Be safe Being a fashion model makes you vulnerable, especially in the beginning. So be cautious and stay safe. The most crucial advice I can give aspiring fashion models that are working with fashion designers or photographers is this: Avoid being duped by fake modeling schools (you DO NOT need to pay money to attend any modeling school or training, period). To begin started, you shouldn’t have to pay for any photos. It should be your agency that arranges for test shoots. Other frauds include modeling competitions, dishonest “agents,” “casting directors,” or “photographers,” phony casting calls that offer thousands of dollars in pay and a photo shoot abroad, etc.
Establish a reliable support system. The modeling profession might be intimidating, and it’s simple to become a victim of numerous other problems (party scene, eating disorders, etc.). Inform your family and friends about your professional development.
If anything seems off or strange, they can serve as a sounding board. They could take you to a shoot and wait outside for you. When you experience rejection or a difficult time, they can keep you motivated. Have a safety net and an assistive network!
9. Be Professional It’s not simple to break into the modeling industry. You must act with complete professionalism. Respond to phone calls. Answer emails and voicemails right away. Being 30 minutes late for a meeting, casting call, or photo shoot is never acceptable. You should, at the very least, arrive 15 minutes early. Planning and time management are required for this. When aspiring models think, “Well, I’m pretty enough to be a model, so I will just glide by with my looks alone and no effort,” they are making a big error.
Many aspiring models in the past quit the modeling business because their lack of professionalism, bad attitude, and reputation started to overwhelm their attractiveness.
With a diva, no one wants to work. There are many other stunning women in the world who WON’T be disrespectful or snobby. When you book a gig, you are speaking for your agency as well as yourself. Treat EVERYONE with respect while you are on set. If your makeup artist followed a precise instruction that was provided to her but you don’t like the way your makeup turned out, it’s too bad. Do your part now that she has finished hers.
Regardless of your preference for cosmetics, take some killer shots and refrain from disparaging the makeup artist in public. In your modeling profession, showing respect and consideration will go a long way.
10. Commit to work Although modeling may look glamorous and simple, that is far from the truth. To become a model, you’ll need to put in a lot of effort. Are you prepared to stick to your diet, exercise, and beauty routine even when you are having a tough time finding work? Are you prepared to work a 12-hour photo session in chilly, windy weather while donning an outfit that provides no warmth, all while obtaining the shot and being compliant? Have you acknowledged that, after signing with a modeling agency, it can take years before you achieve success (if ever), as your agency works to advance your modeling career?
Are you prepared to spend a large amount of time away from your significant other, your family, your friends, and the comforts of home while taking lengthy overseas trips? When business is sluggish, are you prepared to take a side job that is utterly unappealing? Are you adaptable and willing to undertake a drastic hairdo change if your employer asks you to? By no means are these obligations designed to terrify you; modeling CAN be enjoyable, gratifying, thrilling, and glamorous. Make sure you are prepared to commit regardless of what, and that you are aware of the positive and negative potential on both sides!
11. Build your social media following If you want to become a fashion model, you probably want to be represented by a modeling agency. As previously indicated, while you wait for responses from modeling agencies, upload your digitals, practice posing and walking, build a beauty routine, etc. Amass a following on social media in the meanwhile. Unbelievable as it may seem, it might help you be signed to an agency! Social media following creation is a relatively recent phenomenon. Nowadays, modeling agencies analyze a model’s online viewership when deciding whether or not to sign them. Models are frequently used by advertisers, but they increasingly want to hire models that already have a following that they can market to.
Although it is not a prerequisite, having a sizable social media following is a key quality for fashion models. There are currently no indications that this tendency may slow down. So as soon as you can, join the bandwagon. Be judicious in your social media messaging and strategy.
Know your values, be genuine with your followers, communicate with them frequently, and share beautiful photographs! Even further, you can launch a blog, a YouTube channel, or something similar. Due to their massive followings, several unintentional influencers have transitioned into successful professional models.
12. Never let your pride down You have seen most of the procedures to becoming a model up to this point, but maintaining your pride is just as crucial. You are still a worthwhile person with feelings, thoughts, and opinions regardless of what happens. Much more than just a gorgeous face, you are. The majority of fashion models agree to the bookings made for them by their agency, which is acceptable and rather common. But you must learn to speak out and express your opinion before it is too late if something ever crosses the line or makes you feel uncomfortable. Although we just emphasized that devotion is a crucial quality, there is a thin line.
Never let your career become so important to you that it takes precedence over you and your needs. What do you believe in? Make it clear from the beginning and don’t budge. The better wealthy you will be, the less anxious you will be about acceptance and approval. Always have your own back and know when to use force. Who will defend you if not yourself, after all?
How many types of fashion models are there? 1. Runway Modeling 2. Plus Size Models 3. Fitness Model 4. Glamour Models 5. Alternative models 6. Parts Model 7. Promotional model
Now that you know how to become a model, you must also know the various career alternatives in modeling and choose the one that best suits you.
1. Runway Modeling Runway models participate in runway events and are required to routinely change their attire and cosmetics. A runway or ramp is a platform where models walk to display clothing and accessories during a fashion show. A runway model’s experience affects whether they are hired.
2. Plus Size Models Plus-size models can be defined as those whose dimensions are larger than editorial fashion models. They participate in the promotion of cosmetics, stylish accessories, and plus-size apparel. More and more plus-size models are appearing in fashion magazines and working in the fashion business. The idea of creating clothing for the plus-size market is growing among designers.
3. Fitness Model A well-defined figure with toned muscles characterizes a fitness model. These models are leaner and heavier due to their increased muscular mass. These fitness models frequently appear in magazine advertising, but some of them also work as fitness trainers and participate in fitness-related competitions. To find out everything you need to know about how to become a fitness model, read this tutorial.
4. Glamour Models Glamour model agencies don’t have a set standard for the model’s physical attributes; instead, it varies from location to location what standards they maintain. These models can be found in calendars, men’s magazines, lingerie modeling, and music videos, with a general focus on a person’s sexual appeal.
5. Alternative models Alternative models are those unorthodox women who favor participating in punk, goth, and fetish photo sessions and who have unusual physical characteristics.
6. Parts Model According to a certain bodily part, parts models are used. I can take the form of hands, legs, chest, lips, etc. Unattractive portions are also in demand, despite the fact that attractive parts are the majority of the time. Some representation firms only work with models whose body parts are in demand.
7. Promotional model A promotional model is a visually beautiful person hired to interact with clients in order to draw them to a product or service. By providing information about the goods, they give customers a real experience. Trade exhibitions, events, shopping centers, nightclubs, and other public locations all feature them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a fashion model? There are many different categories of fashion models. So the first thing you need to do is figure out what kind of a model you want to be. Once you have a category determined, you would need to start setting up a portfolio which you will need to field to various agencies so that you can start getting modeling gigs.
What should a fashion model be like? Generally, fashion models are expected to be tall and capable of carrying a lot of different looks and clothing. While being skinny used to be a common enough requirement, plus-sized models are also increasingly in demand these days.
What do you need as an aspiring model? The most important thing for an aspiring model is to have a good quality professional modeling portfolio. Your modeling portfolio is a curated sample of your previous work or sample shots that can show potential clients what you look like and what kind of work you are capable of doing.
Delight Fashion Week (DFW) is one of the Kenyan biggest fashion events. Held in October each year, the event celebrates emerging Kenyan fashion designers’ and models’ collections, showcasing them to the world, this year’s theme was “Celebrating Culture & Fabric Manipulation” DFW is also a hotspot for celebrities, who are spotted attending runways for inspiration, the event was hosted by Azeezah Hashim and Co-Host by Jemimah Nempiris This year, October’s DFW ran from October 3 – 7. Receiving over 50k online mentions during the event, this year’s Delight Fashion Week has been the most discussed since 2020. So, what got fans talking?
Designers & Models
A total of 60 students participated in Delight Fashion Week 2022, showcasing and modeling one item from each of their individual designs. The list of student designers from Delight Fashion and Design Tailoring School who debuted their collection on October 7, 2022, below is the list of designers and models.
Delight Fashion Week 2022: Student’s Single Piece Presentation as per the categories.
Designers & Models Group A 1. Rose Alinda 2. Joyce Mwangi(Mudafa) 3. Stancey Norah 4. Juventer Awuor 5. Sharon Muriithi 6. Joy Nyaga 7. Janis Koki 8. Jheria Mohammed 9. Emelda Akinyi
Designers & Models Group B 1. Lucy Ndanu 2. Jeanette Nyapela 3. Stacy Agnes 4. Stecy Jane 5. Regina Wothaya 6. Sarafina Julius 7. Ashley Nereah 8. Sylvia Nduta
Designers & Models Group E 1. Sandra Kalama 2. Amina Arif 3. Trizah Akoth 4. Nyandeng’ Priscilla 5. Vicky Mumo 6. Elizabeth Adhieu Makuach 7. Jedina Nyarinda 8. Stella Amwayi
Designers & Models Group F 1. Lucy Ngolo 2. Nyibol Mary 3. Maggy Kibe 4. Maureen Akinyi 5. Sylvia Mwagongo 6. Joyce Chepkorir 7. Joyce Kinuthia 8. Risper Msembe Designers & Models Group G 1. Richard Mwangi 2. Samuel Poisa 3. Peter Kariuki 4. Abdinoor 5. Sammy Finest 6. David Dimba 7. Jaebet Twite
Miriam Kanama talks about sustainable and eco-friendly fashion and “recycling”, The collection by Demitu Toje, Raissa Ipollo, and Brenda Lemama focused on East African culture.
Global cultures were the focus of Joyce Wanja and Brenda Mwendwa’s collection.
The Invited Guest Designers
Crocheted items are made by Stickning Creations, and pieces made of bamboo and bottle caps are made by Ottyman Arts (Dan).
The Celebrities Guests.
Carol Ng’ang’a Founder and Creative at Crafts With Meaning.
Ashok Sunny CEO and Founder at Ashok Sunny Tailored.
Lucy Rao Founder and Creative Designer at Rialto Fashions.
Mercy Wilson Director at JW Show.
Brightstar Kasyoka CEO Of Star Tailored Designs.
Bevern Oguk CEO and Creative Designer at BOGUK.
Musa Oyoo Founder at Terra Models Management Mombasa.
Royd Bosire Founder at Entrepreneur Fashion Week.
Branice Mayienga Head of Membership Services at Kenya National Chamber Of Commerce & Industry.
Purity Manga Director at Pureza Beauty PALOUR.
The Round-Up As with most live events, such as Delight Fashion Week, there is always a lively discussion going on online. Brands may benefit from providing coverage of live events in order to gain exposure in a widely publicized conversation. Furthermore, influencer marketing is more popular than ever. Brands can increase the impact of their campaigns with a much larger audience by utilizing influencers who have an engaged fanbase.
Don’t miss out on the next Delight Fashion Week which will be held on 13th-19th October 2023 marked your calendar and stay tuned for more of the talents from Delight Tailoring Fashion Design School.
DFW is also a hotspot for celebrities, who are spotted attending runways for inspiration This year, DFW ran from October 3 – 7. Receiving over 50k online mentions during the event, this year’s #DelightFashionWeek has been the most discussed since 2020. So, what got fans talking? pic.twitter.com/Ju7ON9Zsgj
About Delight Tailoring Fashion & Design School The Peak of Sartorial Excellence: Preparing the Next Generation of Elite Tailors, The highest standard for training tailors By educating aspiring tailors to the greatest standards possible, the School seeks to safeguard, promote, and expand the value of bespoke tailoring. For those looking to get the advanced knowledge, expertise, and experience necessary for work in reputable tailoring companies throughout the world or to start their own businesses, the School offers a singular chance. Graduates of this program will be equipped with the knowledge and abilities necessary to find a satisfying job in the tailoring industry.
Additionally, the school provides group Master Classes and Professional Workshops, which are perfect for people looking to improve their tailoring abilities in specific areas.
The School’s curriculum emphasizes the ancient techniques of soft-structured hand-craft tailoring, as well as cutting and fitting in accordance with body shape for style, elegance, and comfort. It is provided by highly educated Master Tailors. For inquiries, call us at +254 722 533 771.
The annual 2022 Kenya Fashion Awards (KFA) Launch drew legions of fashion enthusiasts and creators to Nairobi. The event, which was well-attended by popular media personalities and Influencers, featured the unveiling of the 2022 nominees from 17 categories, as well as speeches from various industry leaders such as Dr. Ezekiel Mutua- CEO MCSK, Azziad Nasenya- TikTok Influencer, Carol Odero- Editor-in-chief CIAO Africa, Jamil Walji- Renowned Fashion Designer, Mr. Atman Ngau- Director of Kenya Fashion Awards, Miss Earth Somalia Safia Mohamed and many others.
Designer of the Year, Stylist of the Year, Fashion Photographer of the Year, Make-up Artist of the Year, Male Model of the Year, Female Model of the Year, Brand of the Year, Jewel Designer, Wezesha Category, and Media Magazine of the Year were among the nominated and competing categories. The winners will be announced and awarded at the final red carpet gala event on NOVEMBER 5TH at THE HUB, KAREN.
Designer of the Year 2022 1. Boguk 2. Native Woman (@the_native_woman) 3. Ikojn 4. Nato 5. Nimz
Stylist of The Year 2022 1. Zafar 2. Sally (@istyle.ke ) 3. Melisa Gold 4. Diana Mwelesa (@uncommon_rebel) 5. Sharon Otieno (@sharonotienostyles)
Fashion Photographer of the Year 2022 1. Zafran Manji 2. Keef 3. Kuyoh 4. Deco Abdi (@deco_abdi) 5. Aggrey Ojiambo (@aggreyojiambo)
Makeup Artist of the Year 2022 1. Lucy Musyoka 2. Kytah Shah 3. Stephanie Cherono (@stephaniecherono) 4. Face Fab (@facefab_) 5. Dennis Karuri (@_denniskaruri)
Male Model of the Year 2022 1. Lucas Ogutu 2. Kenson Njagi (@kenson_kensito) 3. Eddy Jewel 4. Kirimi Thuranira (@kirimithuranira) 5. Nelson Maganga
Female Model of the Year 2022 This Award will be presented to an active Kenyan model who has contributed to the fashion industry within the past year.
1. Jean Ojiro (@jean_ojiro) 2. Olive Sang 3. Maryanne Wairimu 4. Judy Kinuthia 5. Fauzia Hussein
Brand of the Year 2022 1. African Fabric and Designs Kenya (@africanfabricanddesignske) 2. Style by Neomi (@stylebyneomi) 3. Mambo Pambo 4. Nato Fashion House 5. Ichyulu
Jewell Designer 2022 1. Epica Jewellery (@epicajewellery) 2. Zanta Adeyde (@zanta_adeyde_) 3. Ginene by Diro (@ginene_by_diro) 4. Jiamini- Kenya 5. Ambica Shah
Wezesha Category of the Year 2022 1. Soko 2. Weaver Bird 3. Made in the Village 4. Spinners & Web 5. Refushe
Media Magazine 2022 1. Eve Magazine 2. The Star Weekend 3. The Asian Weekly 4. Sunday Magazine ( Nation) 5. Nairobian 6. People Daily
Dr. Ezekiel Mutua, CEO of the MUSIC COPYRIGHT SOCIETY OF KENYA (MCSK), one of the event’s sponsoring partners, spoke at this year’s launch. He urged the creatives to work hard and smart in order to hone their craft and establish a name for themselves in the industry.
Mutinda, a contemporary Kamba and Swahili song crooner, graced the occasion and serenaded the audience with his skillful guitar mastery.
“Women in my country are constantly discouraged from participating in Fashion Week, and their voices are silenced.”
My greatest wish is that through my journey, most Somali women will be encouraged to participate in the fashion industry, which offers countless opportunities to all.” Miss Earth Somalia Aisha Mohamed
You can also watch a live stream of the launch and catwalk events on our Facebook page, Kenya Fashion Awards, and on our YouTube channel, Kenya Fashion Awards.
Kenya Fashion Awards, a prestigious trade mark invention that was registered in 2013, is an award-winning program that aims to identify, support, and reward the most brilliant individuals working in the fashion industry. It is the creation of Galina Ngau and Atman Ngau Kyule, two fashion entrepreneurs and mentors (A Renowned Kenyan Fashion Designer) A multi-day branded entertainment platform that offers activities and chances for students, young professionals, and seasoned professionals in the fashion business to display their best work is a globally recognized invention.
Designer of the Year 2022 1. Boguk 2. Native Woman (@the_native_woman) 3. Ikojn 4. Nato 5. Nimz
Stylist of The Year 2022 1. Zafar 2. Sally (@istyle.ke ) 3. Melisa Gold 4. Diana Mwelesa (@uncommon_rebel) 5. Sharon Otieno (@sharonotienostyles)
Fashion Photographer of the Year 2022 1. Zafran Manji 2. Keef 3. Kuyoh 4. Deco Abdi (@deco_abdi) 5. Aggrey Ojiambo (@aggreyojiambo)
Makeup Artist of the Year 2022 1. Lucy Musyoka 2. Kytah Shah 3. Stephanie Cherono (@stephaniecherono) 4. Face Fab (@facefab_) 5. Dennis Karuri (@_denniskaruri)
Male Model of the Year 2022 1. Lucas Ogutu 2. Kenson Njagi (@kenson_kensito) 3. Eddy Jewel 4. Kirimi Thuranira (@kirimithuranira) 5. Nelson Maganga
Female Model of the Year 2022 This Award will be presented to an active Kenyan model who has contributed to the fashion industry within the past year.
1. Jean Ojiro (@jean_ojiro) 2. Olive Sang 3. Maryanne Wairimu 4. Judy Kinuthia 5. Fauzia Hussein
Brand of the Year 2022 1. African Fabric and Designs Kenya (@africanfabricanddesignske) 2. Style by Neomi (@stylebyneomi) 3. Mambo Pambo 4. Nato Fashion House 5. Ichyulu
Jewell Designer 2022 1. Epica Jewellery (@epicajewellery) 2. Zanta Adeyde (@zanta_adeyde_) 3. Ginene by Diro (@ginene_by_diro) 4. Jiamini- Kenya 5. Ambica Shah
Wezesha Category of the Year 2022 1. Soko 2. Weaver Bird 3. Made in the Village 4. Spinners & Web 5. Refushe
Media Magazine 2022 1. Eve Magazine 2. The Star Weekend 3. The Asian Weekly 4. Sunday Magazine ( Nation) 5. Nairobian 6. People Daily
Top models have officially taken over W Magazine’s 50th Anniversary Issue. In honor of the occasion, the magazine unveiled 17 captivating stars ranging from the world’s most famous names to women on the verge of total fashion dominance. Among them are four of Africa’s top models: Iman, Adut Akech, Anok Yai, and Alek Wek.
Naomi Campbell, Amber Valletta, Iman, Kendall Jenner, Precious Lee, Cindy Crawford, Bella Hadid, Karlie Kloss, Christy Turlington Burns, Shalom Harlow, He Cong, Loli Bahia, Sora Choi, and Binx Walton are also on the list.
The covers were photographed by a team of photographers. Models wore a variety of stunning looks for the issue and discussed the industry’s past, present, and future.
Naomi Campbell Gives Back
First and foremost, I enjoy what I do. To have a career that actually lasts, you must. Although I don’t have a specific professional plan, I now enjoy using my platform to support up-and-coming designers.
The children I work with are not only in the well-known markets, but also in places like Africa, the Middle East, and India. Because of my reputation and my in-depth familiarity with the fashion industry, I am able to bring these children the recognition they merit. I’ve been given so much by the fashion industry, and I believe in spreading that.
Iman recalls her favorite runway moments
The trajectory of my fashion moment would not exist if it weren’t for Thierry Mugler. Many of the designers at the time were very cautious about how they wanted to present me. Yves Saint Laurent is another favorite of mine. Thierry Mugler, on the other hand, was like an MGM director. His performances were cinematic. He let me play whatever character I wanted on stage. In a world full of trends, I was always the girl who looked classic. But Mugler flipped the script and let me be a wild, African glamour girl, and editors and other designers recognized me as such.
When I first arrived in the United States, there was a widespread belief that there could only be one Black model at a time, which fostered hostility and competition among us. But my friends and I were able to change that. I never called myself a Black woman in Somalia, where I grew up, because there was no reason to.
The entire country is dark. My identity was based on my worth. On purpose, I began making friends with Black models. They were going to tell me who was the best photographer for us, the best hairdresser for our hair, and the best makeup artist for our skin. So we formed a tribe, and we are still that tribe.
Adut Akech discusses what drew her to modeling.
I wanted to be a model because I was always inspired by models like Naomi Campbell. One thing that surprised me was how difficult this job is. I never expected it to be easy, but you never know until you try it.
Being the second Black woman to ever end a Chanel haute couture show as the bride in 2018 was one of many remarkable milestones in my career. Karl Lagerfeld personally selected me. Models now have a voice thanks to social media. We can criticize brands for lacking sufficient diversity. Everyone is being compelled to abandon their outdated practices and adopt the proper behavior, which is to include models from various backgrounds.
Anok Yai on the recent changes in the modeling industry
I was unaware that I was the first Black model to launch a Prada show since Naomi Campbell until I did so. Even after everyone congratulated me as I stepped off the runway, I was still unaware. My agency didn’t call me till after that. That was a strange encounter, and it ranks among my most significant professional experiences.
Models have had more creative freedom since the Covid pandemic. I’ve had the opportunity to creative-direct a few shoots, and I’ve realized that at this point in my career, I can be more than just a model I can be an artist. A runway show is, at its core, a collaborative effort. As a model, you may at times feel like nothing more than a hanger. But it feels like a performance when I’m on the runway. I’ve reached a point where if you don’t give me artistic freedom, I’ll just take it.
Alek Wek discusses how her modeling approach has evolved as she has gotten older.
Everyone has a story to tell, but I believe that mine is particularly insightful into the power of perseverance. I began when I was a little child, having fled a terrible conflict in South Sudan. Alek Wek now represents diversity when you look at him. Alek Wek is accompanied by the sound of doors opening. I never imagined I would be employed at this age, and I am grateful to my mother every day for that. It is genetics. Similar to Benjamin Button, I am. Teenagers and young adults try to talk to me!
Now I make my own decisions. I don’t have to be in a place where people treat me badly. For the first time, I’m honoring not only my work, but also myself as a human being and a woman.
With a new generation of African models in the spotlight, fashion is, at last, embracing what it is to be truly global. Funmi Fetto talks to some of those redrawing the map.
Photographs by Rafael Pavarotti. Styling by Edward Enninful.
It’s a grey, mild-for-November Tuesday morning, in a brutalist indoor car park off an industrial road within a not particularly fashionable enclave of west London. There’s a large table, methodically laid with lateral flow tests. One would be justified in thinking that this is not where the magic happens. But then, a door opens into a cavernous studio with dramatic black drapes. Inside, nine striking Black models – their facial features varied and distinct – await hair and make-up.
They are playfully conversing; I note snippets of Dinka and hints of other mother tongues peppering the conversation. They’re laughing and teasing one another while moving and mouthing the lyrics to Wizkid’s “Don’t Dull”, “Ojuelegba”, “Essence” and pretty much the entire tracklist of Made in Lagos. These women are a wholly different type of model and are currently pushing the boundaries not only of beauty but of the entire fashion world.
Adult, Anok, Nyagua, Janet Jumbo, Maty Fall, and co are representative of an ongoing seismic shift that became more pronounced on the spring/summer ’22 runways. Prada, Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga, Saint Laurent, Miu Miu, and many more were awash with dark-skinned models whose African heritage stretched from Senegal to Rwanda to Sudan to Nigeria to Ethiopia. For an industry long criticized for its lack of diversity, as well as for perpetuating beauty standards seen through a Eurocentric lens, this change is momentous.
“I saw all these incredible models from across Africa who were just so vivacious and smart,” recalls Edward Enninful, British Vogue’s editor-in-chief, and European editorial director, explaining the inspiration behind shooting an all-Black, all African cover. His excitement for this moment is tangible: “These girls,” he continues, “are redefining what it is to be a fashion model.”
This, he asserts, is well overdue. “You know, fashion tends to follow waves. We’ve had the Brazilian wave. We had the Dutch wave, the Russian wave, the Eastern European wave… And while, in the last decade, the Black model has come to prominence, I love that we are finally giving more space to African beauty.” Unlike the trends that have gone before, which favored a certain aesthetic – the perpetually sun-kissed Amazonian curves of the Brazilians, the strong jawlines of the Eastern Europeans – this African wave taps into a variety of aesthetics from across that vast continent.
Consider Adut Akech. At 22, she is arguably the most successful African model working today. Following her runway debut at Saint Laurent, in 2016, her international Vogue covers have run into double digits, she has notched up numerous fashion and beauty campaigns – from Valentino to Estée Lauder – and recently bought a house in LA. Undoubtedly she has inspired other African models, such as Janet Jumbo, the 19-year-old Nigerian who walked Louis Vuitton and Burberry and says the wave of success African models are riding right now “gives me hope that I can succeed at this”.
Akech, dressed in a toweling robe, her tousled hair redolent of a protagonist in a James Barnor photograph, recalls the landscape of five years ago as a world away from what we see now. “When I first started modeling internationally…” She makes a face, eyes incredulous and lets out a wry laugh. “I would literally be the only Black, dark-skinned girl in the show. There were no Sudanese models, no African models. Now,” she says, smiling, “I go to a show and there are girls from my country, girls from Africa who look like me. So yes, there has been a huge change. It has gone from me being the only one at a show to 15 or 20 of us. I’m just so happy that we are finally at this place. I was tired of always feeling out of place and feeling like an outcast.”
The experience of not belonging resonates with Anok Yai, a fellow Sudanese model, who in February 2018 became only the second Black model ever to open a Prada show (the first was Naomi Campbell, in 1997). “In the beginning, I felt really isolated,” she says. “I got thrown into the modeling industry very quickly and I kind of had to navigate it on my own. I also have social anxiety, so I struggled a lot with connecting with people. Backstage, there would maybe be one other Black girl, but now my tribe is backstage. I can speak my own language to my friends. They are basically like my family.”
For all the celebration of this moment, the elephant in the room remains. Why are we only just beginning to truly embrace African models on the international runways? Particularly when, as Omoyemi Akerele, the founder of Lagos Fashion Week, says, the issue cannot be put down to a lack of fresh talent: “Over the last decade, we have worked alongside agencies dedicated to discovering and nurturing new faces from across the continent. Models like Mayowa Nicholas started out walking at Lagos Fashion Week.”
The pandemic, as well as the logistics of the African continent, have, Vogue contributing casting director Ashley Brokaw explains, played a significant role in the lack of African models on the international runways. “The reason everyone saw a lot of new faces this season was really a function of access,” she says. “Prior to the pandemic, we had sorted through initial visa issues – some countries were definitely easier than others – we got all the paperwork, we got all the necessary travel documents for the girls done in advance, and then everything shut down. So, the explosion of African girls on the catwalk that we suddenly see is a result of things opening up.”
The previous scarcity of African models, continues Brokaw, can also be attributed to outmoded casting processes. “Over the years, I have had to do my scouting through an agent, perhaps based in Milan or Paris, who would filter their choices down to me. Now, thanks to social media, I can reach out directly to scouts in say Rwanda or Burundi, or Uganda and find a great girl. They can also text, WhatsApp, or find me through Instagram. The level of access through social media is just incredible. This means I’m now able to choose girls through my own lens, which makes the process so much more democratic and inclusive.”
The power of social media has also been a game-changer for Piergiorgio Del Moro, the founder of DM Casting, which he runs together with Samuel Ellis Scheinman. “Every day,” begins Del Moro, who discovered Akech, “I receive tons of messages and images from scouts and potential models from all over the world.”
The previous system, which, Scheinman explains, “came down to where money was invested to find models”, meant that the Black girls cast were predominantly light-skinned African Americans, and only one or two were African because the agencies didn’t have the right connections to get girls from Africa into Europe. “And so, for us, we see social media as a real change in terms of how scouting has blossomed in Africa. We are now able to have a photo of a girl sent to us in a nanosecond.”
Logistics, economics, and technology aside, there is no denying how much the global reckoning around race, diversity, and inclusion, heightened in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, has forced a shift in mindset towards racial inequities and unconscious bias. The casting process, agrees Scheinman, is no exception. “The industry has definitely gone through a soul search about what diversity means, what inclusivity means, and what being truly global means when it comes to casting. We really saw this starting to shift about five years ago, and so for us as casting directors, the more options we have, the more we’re going to want to explore every version of beauty. Now that we have access to these amazing girls, there’s no reason not to work with them.”
As the casting director for Kerby Jean-Raymond’s label Pyer Moss, which actively celebrates Blackness and casts accordingly, Katherine Mateo has long been vocal about the narrow ideals of beauty perpetuated by the fashion industry. And she’s not afraid to highlight the complicity of the casting process. “For many years, we have been stuck on what society has trained us to believe is the ‘perfect’ skin color, size, age, height. But the fact of the matter is people want to see the world that reflects their reality. Our world does not have one type of beauty, and we as casting directors have the power to directly connect with brands and publications and hold them accountable for the change we would like to see.”
Del Moro adds, “It is our job to push diversity. Diversity of age, diversity of size, diversity of skin color. Some editors, like Edward [Enninful], have over the years raised their voices about diversity, and you also have some designers who have it at the forefront of their minds. But where they don’t, it’s our job to push for it.”
Valentino’s Pierpaolo Piccioli is known to champion African models such as Akech; his groundbreaking spring/summer ’19 haute couture show famously featured an all-Black cast. “For months, I had been nourishing the desire, the fantasy, to make couture inclusive. Simple as it may seem, it started with an iconic picture by Cecil Beaton of the Charles James salon. I said to myself, ‘What if instead of these white-swan models we had a salon filled with Black women wearing couture?’” His research took him to archive editions of Jet and Ebony.
What he discovered strengthened his resolve. “Magazines aimed at a Black readership had to buy most of the clothes for their editorials because couture houses didn’t want to lend to them. The more I delved into it, the more I felt I had to do something. Not to say or to promise, but to do. Fashion is the language I use to express my values and ideas, and I thought the only trustworthy, valuable statement that I could make was through a couture show with only Black models. Do I think it’s enough? No, it’s not. But every time I look at that finale picture, I know it meant something, and I know I want to do more.”
While he is under no illusion about the mammoth hurdle to eradicate racial inequity in fashion, Piccioli is excited about the current trajectory of African models. “I am pretty sure there is no coming back from this. It is unlikely to be replaced by constraints and unreachable standards of beauty. These must be defeated because being standardized does not belong in the future we wish to witness.”
The characteristically straight-talking Bethann Hardison, a trailblazing veteran Black model, agent, and long-time activist for diversity in the industry, has reservations. She suggests caution over what could potentially be a double-edged sword. To be clear, she asserts that this isn’t to rain on anyone’s parade; her perspective comes from experience:
“Remember, I’ve been around for a while, so I see these things through a different gaze,” she explains. “Of course, I believe in racial diversity, but the good news and the bad news is that fashion changes. I worry that this situation becomes this thing where, ‘If you’re Black you’re in,’ which means then at some point, you could be out.” Again, to avoid misinterpretation, Hardison adds a caveat. “Look, I’m not saying that this will absolutely be the case in this situation, but generally when you lean so hard in one direction, the natural move after a while is to begin to lean far into the opposite end.”
There is validity to her point. There is a constant tug of war within the thorny triad of diversity, authenticity, and longevity. Is it real? Will it last? For how long? Scheinman admits that there is an element of casting that is performative. “We have some clients for whom diversity is embedded in their DNA, and there are others where we have had to have very active discussions with them, where they then say, ‘I really want to change, I want to be more inclusive.’
While the industry perhaps hasn’t necessarily invested much in the way of size inclusivity, I feel like the racial aspect of diversity is the one that is most embedded. It’s like a non-negotiable. For Piergiorgio and me, there’s no question that the world could go back to, say, a ‘Russian casting’. It’s just not modern. Not only is diversity an obligation, but it would also be irresponsible to treat it as something so disposable.”
This is music to the ears of Akerele, who stresses that while ensuring representation from marginalized communities to reflect our “global village”, stakeholders must be mindful to ensure no one is left out of the conversation. “Casting directors across the world must hold themselves accountable to a higher standard. The underlying question should be, ‘Who am I excluding?’” This responsibility, however, argues Abrima Erwiah of the Ghana-based brand and social enterprise Studio One Eighty-Nine, extends far beyond casting directors.
The onus, she believes, is on everyone, from consumers to brands to editors and anyone who engages with the industry. “Yes,” she admits, echoing some of Hardison’s misgivings, “some people might see it as a trend and a moment and try and suck it dry to move on to the next sexy thing, but whether we believe we have power or not, we all have to come together and work on this as a community. If the logistics and the infrastructure are there to support these models, I think it will work.”
It is a sentiment, a clarion call if you will echoed by Enninful. He believes the way to ensure that this “moment” isn’t transient, is to ensure the models’ careers go the distance. “It’s sad and heartbreaking for me to see girls who are on the rise suddenly taper off. We need to ensure these girls last.
We have to invest in them, nurture them, and support them with editorial, with advertising, with shows. It has to be 360.” Recalling Alek Wek’s early modeling career, he reveals the secret to her longevity: “Alek Wek didn’t suddenly become Alek Wek. There was a group of us behind girls like her, propelling them forward. This is what we have to do in all our different roles. Getting these girls and then throwing them away after one season? That has to stop.”
Outside, the grey skies have dimmed to a blue-black. The energy among the models is still high. The infectious sound of Afro B’s “Drogba (Joanna)” reverberates around the studio, and the frisson of excitement that permeated the air earlier in the day shows no sign of abating.
As the hairstylist prepares her for another shot, Akech mulls over the hope that the uprising of African models goes beyond a trend. “I mean,” she says, choosing her words carefully, “that is the goal, that it becomes more than a moment.” And then, almost immediately, as if to correct herself, she answers more resolutely: “Actually, I don’t see it being a trend. Also,” she says, laughing, “there are so many of us – we are just not going to go out of style.”
Iman, the groundbreaking original African model, who not only paved the way but has long campaigned for diversity on the catwalk, has a message for Akech et al. “If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then let the beholder be you.” And her charge to the world? “All hail our African models with their jet-black skin, impossibly long limbs and natural hair, full of joy and absolutely no compromise.”
