AN INSIGHT OF AMAECHI STANLEY’S MODELING JOURNEY 

This year Nigeria hosted,Misters of Nigeria modeling pageant and the runner up of the pageant is Amaechi Stanley.His photogenic modeling pictures have caught the attention  of many and since he won the title he has embarked in a number of events. Among them is traveling to Togo. 

In our conversation with him, Amaechi Stanley  tells us more about his modeling journey and what he learnt about Togo’s culture.

Q. Can you tell us about who you are in a summary ?A.My name is Amaechi Stanley. I graduated from Federal University of Technology Owerri. I studied mechanical engineering.I am fitness Model, a team player and an entrepreneur. I work in an industry as a maintenance support engineer.I play football, Ps and Snooker.Ilike to travel and take cool pictures.

Q. What led you into taking part in Misters  of Nigeria pageant ?A.Modeling has been something I have longed to venture since high school. A part of me I want to show to the world. I wanted to prove to myself that I can be anything I want and still be perfect in it. I love fitness and needed to show the body physique through pageant which led me into misters of Nigeria platform. 

Q.When you participated in the pageant what mainly motivated you to carry on and not give up ?A.My family was my motivation. My mum even share my flier to her colleagues in the market. Seeing all the love and blessings from them. I keep pushing and not give up.

Q.You recently travelled to Togo,what did you learn about Togo and their culture.A.Togo is one of the smallest countries in Africa. It’s a home of diverse ethnic group. Among the 37 tribes in the country, Ewe, Mina and Kabre are the largest. Music and dance are the most popular forms of culture. Each of the ethnic group has its own style of music and dance which are often an integral part of the religious and social life of the people. Drums are used extensively to celebrate special occasions and festivals like the Yeke Yeke festival. Some of the Togolese dances are the hunter’s dance adewu and war dances. In all and all, Togo stands to be one of the prominent tourist destinations with quite a variety of tourist attractions to offer to its visitors.

Q.Do you believe young people in Africa have power to be leaders (in different sectors of life)?A.There’s an adage that says “youths are leaders of tomorrow”.  It’s been there before I was born. I believe that young people have the power to control and lead in all sectors of life if given the necessary support and opportunity to perform. Some of the reasons include; orientation, Intellectual exposure and understanding

Q.Who is your inspiration in the world of modeling?A.I got myself as an inspiration. I admire Sommer Ray hard work and confidence. Female fitness Model. 

Q.What do you think needs to be improved in the world of modeling in western  African nations?A.Awareness and support. Africans should learn to support and promote their your own. 

Q.Where do you see yourself in the coming years?A.In terms of modeling, I envisage to be a better version of me with lots of improvement in physique. To be an inspiring gentleman to the young tyro in the modeling industry.

Q.If you were given an opportunity to go back at the Misters Of Nigeria pageant what would uou have changed? A.Nothing, I gave it my A-game. But, with what I have learnt so far. It will be a burning shades all together. Then, increase in my area of association ( friendship).

Q.2023 is coming to an end what will be memorable  to tions to offer to its visitors?A. I took that step in modeling industry and it was worth the struggle. Also, thanking God for my life. His Mercy and protection has been on me.

Fashion Without Borders (BW) is regarded as one of the fastest growing fashion shows in Botswana.The fashion event does not only boost the Tourism sector of Botswana,ho

Q:Not everyone has received a call to take part in a runway fashion show like you did ?

A:FWB was my first fashion show last year as a runway model , I made sure that I put my A game on and did my thing, the thing that helped me most to get recognized was how I networked with every one who was part of the organizing team. This year because of my on going preparations for Mister Africa International competition I missed the model auditions but I was later on contacted and offered to come and show case at the fashion show.

Q:Why was it important for you to take part in Fashion Without Borders Botswana?A:It was important for me because firstly it’s an opportunity to get exposure as a model, second reason being that I get to work with different designers and models thus going to lead to possible collaborations in the near future and lastly it helps to increase my model resume.

Q:Besides exposure,what are the benefits of Fashion Without Borders to young Batswana people?A:It’s a way of empowering us as the youth of this country financially looking at the high unemployment rate in my country.

Q:Among the collections you wore was from Les-Wears what was you take of the brands designs?A:Les Wears X-clusives designs are for the gentleman, it has class and with that vintage formality and you’ll never go wrong rocking his designs. I really loved working with Les Wears X-clusives.

Q:Which other brands did you wore?A:I show cased for a local brand called “Bantu Gold” and for an international brand “Nivaldo Thierry”.

Q:How does one get prepared to take part in an international Fashion Show such as FWB?A:One must prepare his/her model bag containing all that’s going to be needed at the show, have enough rest on the night before the show and also make sure to stay hydrated so that the make up artists don’t struggle with one’s skin when applying make up.

Q:Which other runway fashion shows are you planning to take part in Botswana?A:I’m planning on taking part in Batho Fashion Week, MASA fashion show, Gabs July Fashion show and Mascom Derby Fashion Show.

Q:What makes Batswana Fashion and modeling Industry unique?A:The fashion & modeling industry in Botswana is still growing and the amazing part about it is that models of different sizes, height and races are used with no discrimination.

Q:What are the challenges do you as Batswana African male models face in Botswana? A:The biggest challenge we face as male models in Botswana is how fashion use a limited number of male models, you’ll find out that most fashion shows use only 10 male models. The reason for this I think is because most designers in Botswana focus alot in designing for female compared to males.

Q:Which other international brands you are hoping to work with?

International brands that I really hope to work with include: Karl Lagerfield ,Chanel , Fendi, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Virgil Abloh, Rick Owens, Valentino, Ralph Lauren, Lufiano Apparel , Gym Shark , Vanquish Fitness.

Open Eye Models Makes A Statement In 2022

Probably you might have listed,Open Eye Modeling agency as part of the agencies you want to enrol in for your modeling scouting lessons.

The agency was founded by former Miss Zimbabwe, whom many look up to her as thier mentor,Samantha Tshuma.
Open Eye’s headquarters might be in the city of Kings and Queens their deeds are not only situated under one province or City.

Season 2022-23 has turned out to be the year that, Open Eye students shine.

starting with the end of the year 2022 whic was the start of the new season in the world of modeling and fashion.
A new King was coronated as a traditional coronation,every year Zimbabwe hosts Mister Zimbabwe pageant .
However the 2022/23 season saw a new title being unveiled, this was Mister Zimbabwe Senior.

Former student from Open Eye Studio,Future Nyoni won the title becoming the first-ever Mister Zimbabwe Senior.

This year Open Eye Modeling Studio graduated more than 15 models, with all having been groomed in catwalking ,how to present themselves in international platforms among other subjects.

At Pichani all eyes were focused at South Africa’s International designer Mzukis prominently known by his brand name,Imprint Zw who presented his collection which was woren by some of Open Eye Studio’s students and fomer students.

Furtherly this year some members of the Open Eye Studio models were part of the models who catwalked at SA Fashion Week which was held at The Mall of Africa in South Africa.
Back at home,everyone was waiting to know who are the nominees for the BAAzw well known as Bulawayo Models Awards Roil.

This year the category was only occupied by Open Eye Studio models:Liam Hall,Anelisiwe,Stacy Hall.
In other local models,Bulawayo Models Awards, Open Eye studios will be contesting along with other modeling agencies in the province as they are nominated under the Outstanding Modeling agency and some of their former students and current students are nominated in different categories.

CELEBRATING A MILESTONE OF A 10 YEAR PLATFORM OF COMMUNITY CHANGERS

Mister Africa International is the longest,African male pageant till date. With at least 8 candidates have been previously  crowned as Kings. We celebrate a platform that was ‘created not only to build the confidence  of the winners but of community changers. 

In an exclusive moment with the patron of Mister Africa International and House of Twitch , Ayotunde Twitch who shares with us some of the fonding memories of 

Mister Africa International  since the pageant was founded and how Africa has benefited from the projeft. 

Q.Firstly let me congratulate you for turn 10 years,what does it mean that you have achieved a decade in the pageant ?A.I am elated and beyond grateful to God and everyone who made the event possible.  When we started , we did not even think we were going to survive more than 5 years but to stay this long and get stronger , we are excited. 

Q.Take us to the first Mister Africa International  pageant what was the vision of the pageant?A.We were inspired by the amazing work international pageants were doing and as such  we wanted  to create a similar platform for Africans. We wanted a platform that would project a young African into the eyes of the World and launch his entertainment and modeling career.I am happy we have been able to do that in the last few years. 

Q.Have you managed to achieve those achievements and how have they benefited the African boychild?A.We have a huge support system from the national directors in each country. Each year before the candidate comes to the finale, they would have embarked on projects and initiatives in their country. Because our projects are centered around talent and education, we have been able to provide scholarships to the boy child as in the case of 2020 winner, Emmanuel Umoh and even built a school as in the case of Akol Dok in South Sudan 2016 . 

Q.Many in Africa believe modeling is about masculinity and nudity do you believe MAI has managed to bring a positive picture of what modeling is all about in Africa?A.Mister Africa International in a year travels to a different country to embark on a project and also in some cases have walked on the biggest runway shows in the world including New York  , London, Accra  and Lagos . All these inspire the younger generation to grow up knowing they can achieve anything as long as they set their mind to it. The Mister Africa International aims to be aspirational and with the wonderful works of our past title holders we have been able to do that in the last few years.

Q.We have seen from the previous  winners and current winner,unlike other modeling pageants you have pushed them to  reaching out to communities before and after the pageant why is it important? A.We created the platform to not only build the confidence of the winners but to also ensure that they leave the title better than they came in and that requires some work on our part . Thanks to our long standing relationship with producers and agencies who ensure that the winner is always kept busy and growing . We particularly want to thank Hadja models for grooming and managing our current winner, Eryvaldo .

Q.What has been the main challenge that you faced  in the beginning  and its  still an obstacle?

A.The first is getting more countries to participate.Although for a regional pageant we have done great , with over 30 countries having participated one time or the other. In 2019 , we had 25 countries participate and it was a fun time but there is still much work to be done . Secondly is financial support , we have so many projects we want to embark on and we need to support to be able to do this .

Q.Among the previous kings title holders who stood out for you and why (lol)?A. That’s a hard question ! everyone has brought their unique gifts to progress of the pageant.Its notable to state no two winners have been the same or had the same purpose , but they have all added immensely to the growth of the competition 

Q.This year the celebrations  are in Angola why?A.Part of our mandate is to promote tourism in Africa . Each year, we create campaigns with the candidates promoting the city or country we are producing the show.  Angola  has produced two of the winners of the Mister Africa International,the only country to do so and we are happy to share the beauty of Angola with the world . 

Q.What words do you have to the MIA team?A.The MAI team is just amazing! Even though over the years it has evolved , they are all amazing people . I have been blessed to have the perfect team.

Q.Laslty what should we expect to witness in the next ten years?A.We are working on more opportunities for the winner and also the runner up. So expect more stars to be created from the MAI platform. 

MISTER AND MISS TSHWANE WINNER TO TAKE PART IN INTERNATIONAL  PAGEANTS . 

Mr and Miss Tshwane are regarded as one of the biggest pageants in South Africa,with a vision to promote local models into the international  modeling world. 

This year the theme of the event was influenced  by what is happening in the environment of South Africa, ‘Fighting against Gender Based Violence ‘.

South Africa is regarded as one of the countries in the world with the highest cases of gender based violence. 

According to the patron of the pageant,Mister Mahlangu this year’s competition was unique and challenging  as all participants qualified  to be winners. 

However judges had to come up with one winner who had different qualities from others which included,public speaking, leadership skills and someone who can be a brand ambassador of Tshwane. 

Mr Mahlangu further said, all crowned winners will get an opportunity  to represent South Africa in various international stages. 

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Our 2022 winners are:

*Miss Pre-teen*

Queen-Minenhle Mohohole from KwaMhlanga

1st Runner up- Kholofelo Malapi from Soshanguve

2nd Runner up- Naledi Moeti from Watervaal

*Miss Teen*

Queen- Kamogelo Setsiba from Garankua

1st Runner up- Sinothando Mahlangu from KwaMhlanga

2nd Runner up- Bokang Chauke from Hammanskraal

*Miss*

Queen-Jennifer Gumbi from Johannesburg

1st Runner up- Rhoda Mwepu from Pretoria

2nd Runner up-Lebogang Rampedi from Soshanguve

3rd Runner up-Daisy Khotsa from Hammanskraal

4th Runner up- Fhedzisani Tshivhidzo from Hammanskraal

*Mr*

King-Stephen Mukumbi from Hammanskraal

1st Runner up- Lazarus Gafane from Garankua

2nd Runner up-Arnold Nefolovhodwe from Pretoria

3rd Runner up- Tshwarelo Mamorobela from Pretoria 

4th Runner up-Siyabonga Mgonene from Mabopane

Former title,winner were awarded honouring certificates this was due to their success in winning International titles and for their duties.