The costume is named,’Ike Nke Obodo”.It means strength of a Nation ,as this costume is a shining display of strength and courage as it represents ,Nigeria’,s national bird .
The eagle is considered to be one of the most powerful featured creatures in the world .
The eagle is fearless, tenacious , powerful and high flying bird that is seen is a symbol beauty ,bravery,courage,honour, pride , determination and grace .
The bird sits at top Nigeria’s coat of arms and represents the strength and courage of the country’s 200 million citizens.
Just like in the coat of arms,the red colour of the National costume is associated with vibrance ,leadership , sensitivity, strength and vigor.
This inspired costume was conceptualized in October 2021 and took months to complete the costume is rooted in Nigerian Culture.The costume was selected as top 5 best National costume
Titles &Awards:Mr Valentine Zimbabwe king 2022 |Mr Valentine Zim Best Talent|Mr Valentine zim Top model
Besides model I am : Actor ,poet , musician ,Brand owner ,arts and culture Activist.
Aspiring:Aspiring to be the newly Mr Africa because I believe in my roots ,and as an cultural activist i believe the title of Mr Africa will surely help in my activism towards our diverse culture as a continent thus making me aspire to be Mr Africa
Paulino Alan is a 20 year old model who is 1.88 m tall, Born in Angola and in residency Namibia for more than 10.He took his first step in KFW he said, that is when he entered in this Fashion world out of curiosity and the I fell in love with fashion. In an interview with him,he shares with us some of his experience during the KFW and what he hopes to see this year if he headlines the fashion Week .
Q: Describe for our viewers what is the status of Namibia’s modeling industry?
A:Starting to say that the fashion industry in Namibia is something that has been growing in recent years, however there are few opportunities for models. In my opinion I believe that there is no qualified modelling agency for such and which come with their interests that the model has to pay monthly to stay in the agency and some come with false promises that deals with the model to give up their dreams and everything becomes very difficult for us models and the development of the fashion industry in the country
Q:What type of empowerment is needed in your country’s modeling industry?
A:In Namibia the modeling industry needs to focus more to educate other models and fashion designers and the main focus needs to be the reaching of braking borders where people from another country travels for the fashion week in Namibia. I feel like it should be a competition of who’s doing the best fashion show let’s help each other and make something big and interesting for the world not only for the closest countries of Africa.
Q:Many have lamented over the lack of fashion shows in your country,what do you think has contributed for Namibia to have few fashion shows?
A:First of all we are small country, is just now that people in Namibia are more into fashion and for us to have more fashion shows owners of local brand cloth needs to host their private fashion show for every new collection they make.
Q:Who is your inspiration in the music ?
A:My inspiration in music is Tayc he values his dreams and tells you never to give up because you have you are strong enough to make that dream real.
Q:Do you have some donts in the modeling runway that you can provide to models?
A:Do’not be scared of the end of the runway and do not mistreat the clothes, get to that runway do your best because you never know who’s the other side watching you.
Q:You headlined one of the biggest shows in Namibia Katutura ,what did it mean to you ?
A:Katutura fashion week means a lot for me because it was my first fashion show, it’s were everything began and made me comfortable enough to take my career serious and that I have the potential to be on the bigger runway shows.
Q:What are you expecting from this year’s show?
A:I’m expecting more international people in the event which means we are all going to have opportunities to go aboard and braking the borders.
Q:Given a chance to work with any designer in Africa which designer would it be and why ?
A:Duro Olowu the fact that he takes the African culture far recently he was Showcasing he’s new collection in vogue fashion show.
Q:What word of advice do you have to models in Namibia?
A:Your positive action combined with,positive thinking results in success.
When the 21 year old model,Rashied Katongonara dreamt about being one of the leading models in Zimbabwe he never let his dream to pass away.Instead he applied the dream into reality as he began to search details on how one can become a professional model. Check out his story .
Q:Tell us about who is Rashied Takunda Katongonara ?A:I am 21years old .l always wanted to be a model from the age of 12 and was so in love with fitness modelling (fitness model) .
Q:Since you were keen into venturing into Modeling ,what were the first steps you took ?
A:I began to work on myself then in 2021 l joined this modelling agency called Cimztech Modelling Agency and was groomed there .
Q:Can you tell us how you won the title ,Mr Summer Zim A:A pageant show was hosted , which was about the search of Mr Summer Zimbabwe and l then qualified (through votes) to be the Mr Summer Zim .
Q:What did you benefited from the pageant ?
A:Just a week after ,I was called and signed a contract with the Ihub electronics and l became the brand ambassador and l’m also the face of Cimztech modelling agency in Harare.
Q:How did you manage to achieve your goals?
A:As you know everything has ups and downs l did not just make it overnight it really required some hardwork and to be standing out and giving the best l could .For me to just start walking in the journey of my dream .There will be many discouragements and critics and also some misconception from the parents about the industry making it hard to accept some of your dreams.that was it the thing l really wanted ,but as time went on .
Q:Are you hoping one day to catwalk at the ramp?
A:I have been engaging into fitness however I am looking forward to take part in a Runaway modelling show in the coming days and l dont just rest on just being a national model ,l want to take it international and recognized globally and in short l see myself as the SuperModel and doing advertisements with the big companies .on Billboards,international magazines and just raising the Zimbabwean Modeling Banner high and l know all this doest happen overnight it takes courage and dedication and God’s presence for me to make and as l believe l do all things through Christ who strengthens me and l believe as l have already in engaged in action to it ,its already done.
Meet Tanzania’s award winning model, we caught up with him and asked him about his experience as a model during the Swahili Fashion Week. He also further tells us what lessons ,African models can learn from the previous New York Fashion Week .
Q:Can ou tell out yourself?A:My name is Ahmed Lincoln Mgaza. I am 22 years old. I was born on 05/05/2000 in Tanzania in Dar es Salaam. Temeke Hospital is the last child in a family of two. I have not been able to get enough education. and I decided to get involved with fashion . 40% of my family members went through modeling and dancing
Q:What makes catwalking in Africa’s biggest fashion show, Swahili Fashion Week unique to you ?A:How you represent your unique walk on stage is the uniqueness you get during the show ..
Q:Whose designs are you hoping to catwalk for in future why?A:It’s fengchenwang ,I like his collections.
Q: Fashion shows such as New York fashion week are taking part,what do you believe fashion models in Africa can learn from these shows?A: First of all like New York Fashion Week, all models are participating there are professional which is the first step Africa can learn from there, they got amazing walk we can gain from them the energy focus and confidence .
Q:What advise can you give to models can you give to runway models in Africa?A:I would like to tell them to be naive in industry because we gain or learn from big shows .
Q:Can you state some of the designers you have worked with?A: @Neah collection, @Martin Kadinda, @Ek_an_tik, nkoyexecutive, @sukainkermaliapperel, @jonjoofashions, @haute_couture_chez_marie_kaba @6kasso
Q:Who is your style Amuse?A:@alton mason
Q:Aside from Swahili fashion Week which shows have you headlined?A:Lad in Red, Tanzania Fashion festival, Uganda Fashion show, Safari Fashion show, Zanzibar Fashion week .
Q:What are your 2022 goals?A:Am focusing to attempt the biggest shows international and to reach the steps I wished to be in , all in all I want to is to became a professional model in Africa.
Zimbabwe’s award winning model,Tatenda Njanike was among the few Zimbabwdan models who had an opportunity to catwalking at Style Icon Awards. He was dressed by Zimbabwe’s multi award winning designer ,Ishmael Tsakatsa’s brand Zargue‘sia .Tatenda provided an insight of what it means working with Zimbabwe’s number one fashion brand, Zarguesia.
Q:Can you describe for us how was the Runway show that was held at the Icon Awards ?
A:It was quite an unforgettable experience. We got to showcase extraordinary garments from the “Cisterns of Crystal Waters” Zargue’sia Haute Couture Prefall 2022 collection. Among those who attended were some of the greatest creatives and industry leading brands and it was an honor to showcase in front of an audience rich with so much talent and whose impact paved way for people like me.
Q:This is actually your first runway show in an exclusive event such as these awards . What would it mean if more shows are opened for you as models in the country ?
A:If shows of this magnitude happen more often it would not only mean more opportunities for me but also for every other model with dreams of soaring high. Opportunities to tell these stories through our artform as well as bring to life various concepts that designers imagine during the creation of their collection. If we do our job well in front of such great audiences our elevation would be eminent.
Q: From the experience that you had what lessons did you learnt about runway modeling that you will apply in the future ?
I learnt to improvise when the designer allowed room for it. And to improvise meaningfully you must refine your gift offstage continuously through constant practice. We have very little time in front of audiences to showcase a collection. And there is a lot of preparation and hard work that goes into the designing process when no one’s looking that must be honored during those few seconds on stage.
Q’Ishmael is rated as the country’s number one fashion designer ,what did it mean working along side with him and to catwalk for his brand ?
A:I was beyond excited to get that amazing opportunity. We spent the greatest part of the show backstage preparing and even in those moments I couldn’t be more grateful. I was right where I needed to be, i knew many people were waiting to see his works and the caliber of people eager to watch were quite phenomenal themselves.
Q: What words do you have for him and his brand that gave you the opportunity.
A:I would like to thank him for being such a kind and outgoing person to work with, for creating a safe working environment for all people present and for the opportunity to shine in his garments. Lastly I’d like to thank him for embodying Proverbs 18 verse 16 which says “A man’s gift (given in love) will bring him in the presence of great men.”
WORLD OF FASHION & MODELLING 