Zimbabwean Model,Zvichanzii Rujeko Karonga became the only Zimbabwean to debute,Lesotho Fashion Week. In an interview with her she takes us back to the Lesotho Fashion Week.And shares tips on how to prepare for an international fashion show as a model

Q:Why did you take part in the Lesotho Fashion Week?A.I  wanted to experience the industry in the lenses of a different culture. Learn from others and grow.

Q:Comparing the Zimbabwean and Lesotho modelling industries what did you learn about the differences between the two? A:I found similarities, for example everyone is recovering from the pandemic, both countries hopes to grow the industry to international levels that are excellent and well distinguished, everyone has a community of fashion personalities, the difference is Lesotho is a smaller country, but they are not letting that stifle creativity nor the industry, instead there is a willingness to invest in the growth of the industry and engage the right individuals to help them achieve their goals. There is also a distinguishment between Pageantry Queens, Influencers, Runway model which reduces cannibalism of opportunities, allowing room for more talent to be produced in the industry. 

Q:Whose design did you wear during the show?A:I got the privilege to walk for all the nine designers who were showcasing: Pex Lifestyle, Black excellence, Tshele Suitcase, Irhali, Lina, Mary Anna Fashion, Crot cash, Kima D and LT Peculiar Couture.

Q.What was your greatest moment during the event?A:I don’t have one moment, because each designer evoked different emotions with their collections. One made me feel elegant, the other powerful, another had me feeling hip, another very feminine, at some point I felt connected to a cultural self, the other made me feel youthful and playful. It was emotional and beautiful to feel the connection and interpret the messages being conveyed by the designers.

Q.If you had an opportunity to work with any designer back home, whom will it be?A:I would love to pick the brains of the Haus of Stone, If I wanted to make a statement Ivhu Tribe and I want to continue watching SANZ grow.

Q.What would you do if you were scheduled to model an outfit you didn’t like?A:Runway is not about you nor your opinions, your purpose is to showcase the designer’s pieces, therefore you still bring your A Game, get creative on the best ways to present the pieces, and do justice to the art being displayed.

Q:What do you like the most about runway modelling?A:Being a canvas that embodies the creativity of designers is magical.

Q:Which runway fashion events are you eyeing to take part in?A:I would love to walk all over the African continent. I would love to audition for Zim Fashion Week, PiChani, Makanaka Fashion Week, Lusaka Fashion Week, MTC Windhoek, AFI SA all cities, SAFW, Arise Fashion Week, Swahili Fashion Week, Mzuzu Fashion Show, Seychelles Fashion Week. I love to see African creatives.

 Q:What is your favourite thing to do when you are backstage waiting for a fashion show to start?A:Hype/ Warm up by listening to music, a little dancing or even walking, basically psyching up for the show.

Q.kindly introduce yourself to our readers? A.My name is OYESANMI IYANUOLUWA BOLUWATIFE. I am the Mr Teen Nigeria 2022. I am a model, an athlete (I do inline skating, swimming and cycling), a fitness enthusiast (I do some bodybuilding), also a music enthusiast (I play the violin, harmonica and talking drum otherwise known as gan-gan‘). I’m a brand influencer and a brand ambassador to pop-kulture, also an ambassador for anti-bullying.

Outgoing Mister Teen Nigeria,will be handing over all his responsibility to his successor in the coming months.In an exclusive interview with him,he briefs us about his journey.He also tells us what it meant to work with House Of Twitch and what is next for him .

Q.How has it been playing the role of Mister Teen Nigeria?A.Being Mr Teen Nigeria  is the best thing that has happened to me and this is just the beginning of my greatness. It’s has really been an amazing reign for me as Mr Teen Nigeria  2022. I got the chance to be on a tv show, did some charity event to orphanage homes, attended lots of fashion and pageantry events. Got to meet with Nigeria top celebrities. This opportunity has given me the chance to See the world in another dimension of greatness and yes! It is just the beginning.

Q.Its believed that,the youth and teens are the future of tomorrow  what is your take of that statement  in line with Nigerian teens?A.Surely the youth and teens are the future of tomorrow and in line with Nigeria teens doesn’t make the statement different. There are a lot of young, great and Talented people that will definitely grow up to change the world and make it a better place for us all to be. There is passion and potential in all Nigerian teens to be great and nothing can stop this.

Q.What did you gained so far as a young model in working with the House of Twitch?A.Working with house of twitch has been a fulfilling journey and I’m not ready to stop. Being a young model, I have learnt a lot from the family (house of twitch). I basically learnt everything I know about modeling from them and they have provided me with various opportunities to build my modeling career and be one of the best.

Q.what would you  choose runway modeling,commercial modeling?A. I would choose commercial modeling because I can easily fit in a role which wouldn’t require height specifications unlike runway modeling requires at least a 6ft male model and I’m just 5ft.5in 

Q. Its count down to your  handing over the throne,what words do you have to aspiring Kings?A.For the aspiring kings I would say, heads up, chest out, be bold, be courageous and be brave. There is no limit to what you can archive. This is a life changing experience, you don’t want to lose it. I wish you all the very best.

Q.Speaking about pageants which one is your next target and why?A.My next target is the Mr ideal Nigeria. I would like to do things step by step, growing gradually into greatness. I want to learn more to be the best and then go after the international pageants. And once a winner, always a winner no matter the outcome. Simply life. 

Thembinkosi Sibayeni is the currently reigning Mister Body Beautiful Mzansi,in an exclusive moment with him ,Sibayeni reveals

Q.Can you brielfy tell us about yourself?A. I am an African male, I live in an informal settlement with my family. Both parents and 3 siblings, as well with 2 kids of my elder sister.

Q.Why did you enter Mister Body Beautiful? A .I wanted to face and conquer my insecurities. 

Q.How has your life been since you took the throne as Mister Body Beautiful? A. I lacked self confidence and my dreams were narrowed into one direction. Which is to become successful through education. 

Q.What do you do to stay in shape?A. I drink plenty of water,water enhances metabolism, regulates appetite and clears the skin. Refreshes the whole body too.

Q.What have you learnt about keeping your body in shape during the pageant?A.When you have a set goal, a target and a date when you have to show up in shape, it makes it easier for you to work on your body and commit into training & diet.

Q.Can you tell us something about your future plans and goals?A.Yes, it is to become a mentor for school kids and youth in my community & from struggling backgrounds mostly. To motivate and keep their dreams alive. 

Q.Why do you think was the main reason you won the title?A. I was hungry for it, I took every advice I was given on the workshops that I attended with Mr Body Beautiful before the main final event.

Q.Given a moment to change anything about your life what would lit be?A.Remove the inferiority complex that I had as a high school kid/learner.

Q.What are your top 5 favourite jam songs ?A. Nas-I can. ,Mandoza-Uzoyithola kanjani. ,Asa-Fire on the mountain. ,Bob Marly-One love. ,Micheal Jackson-Heal the world. 

Q.Lastly words of motivation?A.Use your rough background (upbringing) as your motivation. Your weaknesses are a blessing in disguise

The event is expected to create a stimulating atmosphere of creativity as it is making a come back after two seasons of its absent.

The event will be turning at least 15 years and is hooing to gather established and young designers,fashion lovers,influential figures and the youth .

Designers will present their work in a runway show,AFI Mastervlass and opportunities of networking will be made.

AFI has played pivotal in establishing Capetown as one of the important global fashion cities alongside Paris,Milan,London, New York,Hong Kong .

Thebe Magugu is pleased to present ‘Folklorics’ – our Autumn/Winter ’23 collection.

Whether carved on stone or retold orally from generation to generation, Africans have always had poignant, urgent stories to tell and preserve. This season, I wanted to profile some of those stories we were brought up on – from mermaids steering ships to wreck & conspiring tigers, to a cunning poltergeist of whom one should never call by name, translating it into a key collection for everywoman.

Shot by Pieter Hugo
Styled by Chloe Andrea Welgemoed. Source facebook

House of Nala Ekenumbo aka Nala Undwrwears by Prince Obumneke has played a major role in the world of modeling and fashion. It’s one of the few African fashion houses that design male underwears in different forms. The House of Nala has also worked with international fashion modeling pageants such as Man of Earth,Man of Africa Universe.

Koni Pari “it is limitless” 2023 lookbook by Ugo Monye

Eponymous label, Ugo Monye (@ugomonye.official) continues its foray into limitless creativity by creating a rare statement collection and its giving fashion in the multiverse.

The fashion designer unveiled his new season collection, and it is solely elaborate and ethereal. The pieces are offered to provide wearers with colors and silhouettes flowing into beautiful architectural yet glitzy forms that are not typically available out there.

The collection features modern, creative pieces with essential layering that are unusual, highlighting the Nigerian adire fabric merged with chiffon, satin and other beautiful textiles to offer well-tailored cut-outs, lantern sleeves, cropped designs and more, serving vintage aesthetics.

With each outfit paired with statement headpieces that covered the models whole faces, exploding into a flamboyant design, the collection reflects the designer’s bold creative vision which focuses more on style and the ability to deliver the style in a unique way.

#fashionnova #fashionmodel #fashiondesigner #fashionable #fashionista #fashion #fashionstyle #fashionweek #fashionshow #fashionblogger #Nairobifashionhub

Koni Pari collection literally reflects a fresh way of thinking for a certain set of folks that aspires to go limitless, and to embrace an unmatched identity and personality.

Hie my name is Cyrille Amen SODJEDO, I come from Togo and I am Mister Togo in title. I measure 1.82 cm for 73 kg and I am passionate about soccer. I started modeling only last year by registering for the adventure of Mister Togo and I learned a lot since then.

Representing my country during this adventure is an honor for me and I will try to do it the best I can! I will be very happy if I win this contest and it will give me more confidence to take up other challenges!

The person, who inspires me the most is Cristiano Ronaldo and I learnt from him that hard work always pays off.

Erasme: “You are not born a man, you become one.” My favorite quote.

My advise to youths: I would tell them to get closer to the youth to listen to them and detect their real problems.

I am a day person, as I feel that night often brings trouble.

My name is Inyiekwe Ikenna Stanley. A model, web developer and an actor. Started my Journey as a model when I contested for Mr Engineering 2021 and won. Since then, I have done a few jobs as a model. I decide to take my modelling career to another level.Then I heard of Misters of Nigeria from a friend, now my manager. Then I decided to go for it against all odds. I believed that this was an opportunity that would serve as catalyst to pushing my modelling career. The contest began and ended with me emerging as the Misters of Nigeria’s Top model. It has been a great journey so far.

Going for Man of Africa Universe , is one of my Dreams come through. Because I’ve always wanted to lend my voice on a bigger stage.

By God’s Grace I come out victorious, It’ll mean I’d pride in myself, and appreciate everyone who made it possible. For we’ve become a moving force and achieve whatever we set our minds to.

Truthfully, Emmanuel Somto inspire me alot, because although he’s just 26, he has achieved alot through hard work and dedication. I’ve learnt that you don’t have to come from a rosy background to be great Because the trick lies in your ability to set your mind towards something and work towards it.

“Whatever you set your mind to, do it in such a way that people who have done it, people who are doing it and people who will do it, cannot do it more than you” – MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

.If an opportunity comes to talk with Ministry of Youths in my country Nigeria, I’ll stress on the need for Support and scholarships for young and talented youths, to aid them in achieving their dreams be it jobs, projects.And also learn new lucrative Skills.

I am both a day and night individual.I want to thank everyone who has been supporting me throughout this journey and I want ask that your elbows don’t get weary of supporting until we get the Crown. Thank you