adminIndeed, it could be appreciated that the profession has been female dominated in recent years, but it seems that realisation is so rigid that male models are finding it hard to be appreciated in society.
Men who take modelling as a profession have finally got to be viewed as professionals, but there is still a long way for them to be accepted.
However, Bulawayo models have revealed to Saturday Leisure that modelling countrywide was more accommodative to women than men and that was hindering their growth.
The models, who were slowly turning to socialites in modelling circles, noted that although men have also taken part in various modelling contests they still find it rather difficult to penetrate into the industry as they are faced by a lot of challenges.
Reflecting his trials and tribulations in the few years he has been in the modelling industry, a Bulawayo-based model, Qinisani Ndlovu, said although he had got recognition as far as South Africa, it was hard for people in his hometown to appreciate his line of profession.
“Here people associate being a model as being gay, that in itself tends to deter us in the industry and some of the youngsters that want to take up modelling professionally,” said the 24-year-old Ndlovu.
He said it was disappointing that there was a tag of loose morals attached to most models in Bulawayo.
“People always think models are uncultured probably by the way we dress, but that needs to be reviewed because our dressing comes with the job.
“We have to follow fashion trends, plain and simple,” said Ndlovu.
The Mr Bulawayo 2009 second prince said local agencies were to blame for the demise of the industry in the city
He said females dominated the profession to an extent that young men end up losing heart.
“There are certain stereotypes that models are gay so most us end up losing heart to follow their dreams,” said Ndlovu, who is also linked to a South African modelling agency, Faces For Africa.
He said the number of males taking up modelling was gradually increasing, but at a slow pace.
Mr Bulawayo, Keith Siamboloka, said the major challenge that Bulawayo models face is that they are sidelined in the industry.
“Every male model is sidelined. Bulawayo models are always left out, even in local fashion shows, Harare models are first preference, so it would be hard for us to step up and grow in the industry,” he said.
He also bemoaned the lack of sponsors in the city saying this was a factor aggravating their plight.
“The modelling industry for males is in bad shape. There are no sponsors who are willing to work with models and that has worsened the situation for us,” he said.
He added that local modelling agencies should revise their syllabus.
“Modelling is all about selling yourself, being an ambassador, but local modelling agencies do not teach that, they teach us to walk on the ramp.
“They forget to teach us to sell ourselves and how to be ambassadors,” he said.
Dean Banda, Mr Bulawayo first prince, said the major challenge that male models face is that the industry seems to favour women than them.
“The industry favours females. There are a lot of beauty pageants held for them than us. There is Miss Tourism, Miss Zimbabwe, Miss Bulawayo, and Miss Teen among others but for us there isn’t much. So just after walking on the ramp one does not dream big because there is nothing else to do,” said Banda.
He said Bulawayo was behind in terms of male modelling because there was no one or any activity to promote male models.
“Unless we wake up and do it ourselves there is no one to take it up for us and there is not much in terms of fashion or modelling shows,” he said.
He also highlighted that another major challenge that a model has to put up with was to put up their best behaviour in public.
“As a role model one is expected to be at their best all the time as they are vulnerable to public scrutiny,” he said.
Dean is now an entrepreneur in the city.
Online Reporter