Home | Entertainment | THE WORLD OF A MODELLING AGENCY GURU

THE WORLD OF A MODELLING AGENCY GURU

Font size: Decrease font Enlarge font
image

The word ‘model’ evokes a life of glamour: lounging by pools, eating celery sticks and shopping for size zero dresses. In reality, most models spend their days schlepping to casting after casting, usually being rejected from each one.
They live in model apartments with three other girls, and celery is for dinner only because they can’t afford much else. Well that’s just the life that models go through.


But these people that have the bigger job of casting these hopefuls, what is it that they get to experience on a daily basis?
This week Gcwala sat down with one of the biggest modelling agencies to ever exist in Swaziland. The CEO who wasn’t afraid to bare it all out about the industry and the challenges that she had faced while running it.
Mbalenhle Manana from Mankayane is a mother of two who is an accountant by profession. She is the CEO of Top Models Swaziland (TMS). The bubbly persona describes herself as a dreamer and a go-getter who is passionate about life.


“Call me Capricorn, you know with Capricorns you can’t read their minds, very much unpredictable. My motivation and inspiration comes from all successful women who have worked hard to attain greatness in their chosen profession (s).”


Confesses


Being a former from Platinum Blue in SA. Mbali has always wanted to contribute to the growth of the modelling industry especially in Swaziland. Her love for it was lead by the fact that she loves fashion and fashion shows even though she confesses  that the industry  has its own challenges and it’s a constant struggle because of the stigma which is attached to it that all models are of loose morals. 


“Modeling is actually a profession and I will continue to knock on corporate doors until people in general start to regard it as a serious business. We are all surrounded by models in our everyday lives either direct or indirectly. The people /models we see in advertisement, television, magazines, billboards, and on modeling ramps are all working models that either marketed themselves or were marketed by a modeling agency like TMS.
Most people don’t know they are a brand. But once you know that everything you stand for - your ideas, opinions, choices and actions, even the clothes you wear brands you as a person. Then you start to see the possibilities of starting your own.


Convincing people that modeling should be taken seriously is one of the biggest challenges. Unfortunately, unless a model gains regional or international recognition, which comes with a huge amount of money, it is difficult to make head way in the industry as they are considered models who are in it for fun. I think if corporate companies start paying premium salaries to hire models for their corporate advertising campaigns, corporate events and functions then the models will start to gain the respect of the skeptics.


Corporate companies should always consider using models from agencies. I also lament the fact that designers show a lack of respect for the models that ultimately market and advertise their clothing during fashion shows. TMS is a brand. A lot of models want to be a part of Top Models,” the CEO says.


She reveals that there have been a lot of challenges while running the agency and that the biggest would be the lack of support from potential investors. However the biggest reward she says is seeing her models explore and reach their potential. Currently Top Models Swaziland have been invited to participate  at the ALITI Africa-Dubai Fashion Week. Top Models Swaziland will walk the runway alongside models from the Reality TV Show ‘ALITI Africa-Dubai Model Boot camp’ that will have 12 models.


Opportunity


During the interview Mbali points out that due to financial restraints they may not make it to Dubai, therefore, she is pleading with the public that they donate towards this opportunity.
It is required that should they as Top Models confirm to be part of the AADFW then they would need to handle all travel and accommodation expenses and this would eventually lead Top Models to be the official model partners of the 2017 ALITI Africa-Dubai Fashion Week with heavy and substantial marketing included.


“To be honest challenges have been plenty. The biggest would be the lack of support.  However the biggest reward is seeing my models explore and reach their modeling potential. It always gives me great joy to watch new models become more confident about themselves.
‘‘Also we lack support with retail stores as compared to other SADC countries they sponsor and pay their models, to them modeling is a career they earn a living through. Most companies and retail stores use faces we don’t know instead of using Swazi models. Even on billboards it’s people we don’t know,” said Manana.


With the misconception of models being sold off to ‘blessers’ Mbali brushes that off immediately. 
‘‘Models in most cases sponsor themselves and they don’t give in because they are driven by passion. The greatest reward is being recognised by international fashion gurus in Dubai who invited 12 runway models for a fashion week and made TMS a platinum title sponsor for their show. I have always dreamed of this it came as a surprise that if I impress I’ll also do the USA show in Summer.


 This will be the beginning of good things. That’s where TMS models belong I actually have no fear at all cause I know what they are capable of.. The misconceptions of the modeling industry will always be there. Admittedly some models may lose focus and flaunt themselves and be used by so called blessers and unscrupulous individuals who will gladly use them for non-modeling related gigs in their night clubs.
‘‘At TMS we don’t do night club gigs. However, we do get invitations to similar events.

Our models will be under strict supervision by our management team to ensure that they maintain professional conduct.”
Due to some challenges that as a CEO she has faced, Mbali reveals that she was too close to giving up.


“At some point in time I stopped for a while and was working. I would meet the models and they would ask when is my agency coming back. Some would send me messages asking why was I killing TMS. Some would say they are waiting for my comeback. Not even one joined the other agencies.
Struggles
‘‘Till one day, one model sat me down and begged me, reminding me of great achievements and said look back and see how you have helped the youth, from nothing look at them now. We need you back. I was like, God you know all my struggles, needs and desire.
Let me help your people I don’t know how long it will take for me to reach my destiny all I know is one day is one day. The people who make it at the top whether they are musicians or whatever are addicted to their calling. They are the ones who’d be doing whatever it is they love even if they weren’t paid. Modeling is in me. I just love it. I was born for this! Focus and determination,”


It is not all the time that it becomes easier for one to scout models. However Mbali says that she believes that she has a good eye when it comes to business.
“I have a great eye for the talent. I scout mostly tall girls and guys they do well with runways. TMS does a lot of runway shows compared to other gigs.

We have been in all shows locally and we opened doors for ourselves in SA, Botswana Zimbabwe. We audition for all shows in SA including the Mercedes Benz where the competition is very high strictly tall girls and guys with good experience. I also host my own shows like Fall winter, Celebrity, Socialite Fashion Show, SADC Fashion Festival where I mix Models and designers from SADC countries. To mention a few.


Talk about the countries Queens and Kings majority are a product of TMS. He/she must have passion and desire. Know that fame doesn’t pay any bills work hard till it pays of. It’s never easy but knows thyself, position yourself as needed to identify what sets you apart from others with similar experience.


Awesome


Stand out from the rest do it best. Keep it consistent for example no one will deny that image counts.
It’s important to make a good impression visually. Back up your awesome image with great performance. Last but not least networking is a valuable tool in your personal brand and marketing. Believe in yourself. Be clear on what you are, your role and what you want to achieve.


‘‘All of my models are different and have something special thats sets them apart from each other. I am happy with all my models and treat them equally. I call them queens and kings of the ramp.
‘‘At TMS we love one another we respect each other very well. They know I’m their mom/olady. They call each other siblings that create unity. However we are all from different background you turn to see different characters at different times.”

 

Comments (0 posted):

Post your comment comment

Please enter the code you see in the image:

: FPE grant
Should the free primary education grant increase based on inflation?