SENIOR MISTER ZIM OUTSHINES AT A REGIONAL FASHION RUNWAY

Catwalking at a ramp is not for everyone, courage and being brave is one of the major factors that one need to possess as their traits.

Mister Senior Zimbabwe,Future Nyoni was part of the models who catwalked at a regional fashion show in Malawi.Future Nyoni explains to us what it meant for his career.He also provides an insight of what the title,’Mister Senior Zim’ is about.

Q:How has your journey been since you won the title Mister Senior Zimbabwe?A:The title has opened a number of opportunities in my life and at the same time has come as an inspiration to upcoming models in my home town.This brings joy in my heart.I have been privileged to being invited to places, meetings and attending modeling shows.

However due to work commitments I couldn’t be readily available and I couldn’t manage to accomplish plans I had but good thing is that it’s not yet the end of the world.The journey is still on better days are coming and I will continue to enjoy my passion .

Q:Throughout your journey what have you learnt about the male modeling industry and what is needed to be sharped,so that the country can reach the international  standards?A:Our made modeling Industry lacks the support it deserves especially in our days.I remember vividly that in the air heydays.Mr Zimbabwe pageant used to be huge with lots of benefits of late it has lost its salt but as male models we are in it because of the passion we have I call for the government, corporate world ,business people and individuals to support our modeling Industry both in cash and kind.Financial support will definitely take us further.

Q:You attended a fashion show in Malawi can you give us a summary details  about the show?A: Beautiful Africa Fashion Show is a fashion festival founded in Malawi in 2019 and is meant to bring fashion designers and models across Africa.It was hosted in Blantyre, Malawi, at Amaryllis Hotel Next year it will be hosted in Tanzania.

Q:You were catwalking for Afrophoenix  whose collection won, Best Male africa Designs. What did it mean to you ?A:Models and designers are like hand and glove.I feel honored to be associated with this achievement and am proud of him for raising our Zimbabwe flag high.His win,my win and it’s our win too as a nation .

Q:What did you like about the designs you catwalked for?A:Apart from Afro-phoenix designs I also did wore Zado-fashions from Tanzania designers had that rich Afro-centric touch and it brought out our tone African identity.

Q:What did you learnt about Malawi’s modeling industry that can make a difference  in Zim’s modeling sector? A:Malawi’s modeling Industry is upcoming and has a great potential to grow considering that they are getting support from their government of which we so dearly need in Zimbabwe.

Q:Any plans of taking part in more International runway Fashion?A:Yes yes,I do but it’s too early to disclose as yet it’s not yet confirmed.

CHECK OUT THE LIST OF MISTER AFRICA INTERNATIONAL  GONGS 

Mister Africa International(2023)  has introduced  new awards which will be won during the 10th anniversary  of Mister Africa International  which will be held in Angola on the 26th of November. 

The titles  and awards for this Year:

1. MISTER AFRICA INTERNATIONAL winner . 

(The title is awarded to the winner for the 10th anniversary)

2.Mr Africa – International – 1st and 2nd runner up 

 Awards include :

•MODEL OF AFRICA  ( best runway model ) 

•BODY OF AFRICA  ( best body ) 

•MEDIA KING – the delegate with the most media presence in his country.

 AWARDS nominated by other contestants 

•THE AFRICAN VIBE – given to the most friendly contestant as voted by the other contestants 

•MOST HANDSOME – most good looking as voted by other contestants 

•MOST STYLISH – most sophisticated as voted by other contestants.

Neurite Mendes former Miss Africa,will host the Mister Africa international 2022 Gala which will be held at Intercontinental hotel at 19.00h

WHO MADE IT TO THE FINALISTS OF MISTER AFRICA 2023.

It’s actually a dream for every country to be represented at one of the longest running male pageants in Africa,Mister Africa International.

Several countries were eyeing to be on the top 10 position of Mister Africa International.

This would enable them them to participate in the 10th anniversary of Mister Africa International.

Preliminaries were introduced to select the top 10.

The preliminaries competition included :Fan Vote;Beach Body; Photogenic all were held digital.

Successfully;Nigeria and Botswana managed to occupy the first two positions during the first competition,’Photogenic Competition’.

With only eight spots left,the remaining countries were battling out to qualify.

Angola and Rwanda were never and neck during the fan vote.

Angola topped the competition with 3500 votes,leading the delegate to be automatically in the top 3.

Other countries that successfully joined the three countries that had qualified are:South Africa;Zimbabwe;Mozambique;Cape Verde;Seira Leone,Zambia;Ivory Coast.

MZANSI IS HOSTING IN 2023

The man of the Earth male pageant in collaboration  with Men’s Fashion Week South Africs will be hosting the Man Of The Earth  Male pageant.

The pageant has been previously  been held in Nigeria,with most of its delegstions deriving from Africa,despite this Indian model,Abhhiti Puri was declared as the winner of the pageant 2022.

He will be handing over his title to the next King in Gauteng,South Africa where the pageant will be held.

Winning his first title at University opened up doors for him. With his height and complexion different pageant organisers saw the greatness  in,Okatta-Isinwa Senator Chidozie.In an exclusive dialogue  with him, we talk about his international title first runner up of Misters of Nigeria and how he foresee the future of his nation’s modeling sector. 

Q.Modeling has been part of your  life, can you introduce yourself and tell us how your journey started?A.My name is Okatta-Isinwa Senator Chidozie and I’ll walk you through how I started modeling. I have always been a fan of modeling and because of my height many people advised I’d dive into it. This journey actually started outside a hall in my university where I was approached and asked to contest in what was later the biggest campus pageant in the southeast. I was told that my physique and complexion was exactly what the organization needed. At that time I had already participated in two school pageants. Winning one and coming First runner up in the other. Then it was for fun. After I was convinced I took it upon myself to find out if this is what I’d love to do. Gracefully I won that pageant which gave me an automatic slot to contest in the Misters of Nigeria pageant. Contesting in the Misters of Nigeria pageant was my greatest accomplishment at that time because I went through over a hundred applicants to emerge First Runner up. It wasn’t easy though as with anything good that comes in life but it was worth it. Today I proud to have taken that step because it has now enabled me to raise my country’s flag and represent internationally.

Q.Take us to the title that you won at the University  how did it opened up doors  for you ?A:The title Mr Imsu exposed me to a world of opportunities that I never knew existed. It gave me opportunities to meet people who have in one way or another impacted me positively into becoming who I am today. If not for the exposure accompanied with that title I would not have been where I am at this stage in my career today.

Q.Is modeling a paying job in your view?A.Modeling in my view is a paying job. But it requires the right amount of sacrifices before one can begin to earn especially in our country today.

Q.When you were announced as the runner up what thoughts came to your mind?A.Honestly, at that moment all I could think of was how proud I had made my family and myself. Going into the competition as the youngest and most inexperienced I would say kind of left me doubtful. But at the end of the day all the hard work and dedication I and my team put into the competition paid off and it was a big relief to me.

Q.Do you believe that Nigeria’s modeling industry has reached international level?A.definitely do, Nigeria has made waves internationally on many platforms and we are sure to keep making waves. We have models who have changed the narrative from what was to what it is now.

Q.What changes are you hoping can impact the modeling industry in Africa?A. I hope they begin to pay more attention to modeling and seeing it as not just showbiz but also as a means of livelihood as a career choice and one that should not be relegated to the background. I hope the begin to treat kings and queens who represent internationally with more respect and regard. And that funding also goes into the modeling industries all over African countries.

Q.Aside from modeling what else do you do ?A. I am a Humanitarian, an advocate for early childhood education, an actor and basketball player.

Q.How has your community benefited  from the title? A.In my own way I have tried to give back to the community I come from. That’s why I started a mini project tagged “Project Reach 4 Books”. This project is aimed at least funding a child’s fees for school and providing materials for adequate learning in schools occasionally. I believe the only way to attain success is through education.

Q.Lastly  state 5 of your favourite  jams currently, you are dancing to..A. I am a big fan of music. I listen to all kinds but for the reason of this question here are my 5 favourite jams currently( not of all time)

I. How are you – Johnny Dr Uni – Blaqbones

III. Voice of the Heroes – Lil baby ft Lil durk 

IV. I know – Polo G

V. Stand Strong – Davido

Zimbabwe’s fashion designers have been facing a challenge of lack of sponsorship.When it comes to showcasing their products. However,designers have managed to source themselves when it comes to sponsorship.Afro Phoenix a brand founded by Zimbabwean designer,showcased their product at MALAWI during an international fashion show.During our conversation with Blessing,the founder of the brand he tells us more about his journey and the recognition he received during the show.

Q:What are the main foundations of your brand (  Afro phoenix) what led to the establishment of your brand?A:My main foundations,for my Brand Afro Phoenix is Family.i belive that with the love and support from family you can do anything.the thing that led me to establish my brand is i wanted to show people who said i cant make it in life that I’m a fighter, I’m worth it and I belong.

Q:Where you expecting your collection to be selected as the best making you, Best Male African designer? A:The Collection i presented for MFAS was a summer collection showing the beauty of african kings and appreciating all bodies big and small because people body shame a lot so through fashion i want everyone to feel beautiful and confident.

A: Well I have been made a National Director for Mr and Miss Model of Tourism World/Zim So 2023 we taking it to Guyana and a whole lot of great things coming up

Q.Speaking about collection many believe that African ‘fabrics’ are fading away in terms of trend,however you always include them in your collections why,?A:African Fabric will always been there and will always be there.to me i feel it wont fade away because its part of us its who we are and its our culture

Q.During your stay in Malawi, what did you learnt about the fashion industry of that country that might benefit Zimbabwe? A: I have learnt that the fashion industry in Malawi, respect models a lot both males and females and know their worth

Q:Aside from Malawi, you have been invited to Mpumalanga to showcase your brand’s products ..A.Yes I have been invited to showcase in SA Mpumalanga and im truly excited and im the only international designer who was invited to showcase

Q.Back home how has your brand managed to fit both those who are in generation Z and those who have passed their youth? A.My clothing designs speaks a volume,my brand make so much noise that people get to listen and with my brand and collection being that unique people of different ages would love to wear .

Q:Where do you draw your inspiration from ?A: myself,my family,my fans the people who believe in me and always tell me that i can do it.

Q:What advise do you have to young designers? A:Keep dreaming because dreams do come true.i mean im living mine.its never easy but always put your all and work have.

QThank you for your time and if you can provide details how you can be reached? A:Insta_@blessingmunjeri

Emai_bmunjeri90@gmail.com

Fb _blessing munjeri

Theme. “hidden intentions”SS 22/23

The collection was inspired by the struggle we have to endure on the path we have chosen. The burdens hidden from view both our close ones and society. The weight of our dreams and how much we aspire in the real and ethereal part of our lives, we are like a seed growing in the dark with noone in the know all that effort put together for that moment we break ground and grow unstoppable. A pearl polished in the rough

In honoring the late Busi Mhlongo,whose music played a major role to Zulu mine workers. This year she should have turned 75 years ,she passed away due to Breast Cancer.Urban Zulu founder said their latest collection is dedicated to Busi Mhlongo