Opportunity for models to shine

Tawanda Matanhire Arts Reporter
Iconic Model Management has embarked on a project to promote less privileged models by offering them a platform to showcase their talents. Models from all walks of life were engaged to take part in what is dubbed “The Exquisite Summer Photo Shoot” held at Rocklands Dart Club in Hatfield last weekend. “We have taken into consideration the current economic situation and understood that not every model is able to create their portfolios because of the expenses involved,” said Nilton Makazhu who is the head and founder of Iconic Model Management.

The model management agency is meant to help launch the careers of promising upcoming models as they will create portfolios as well as catalogues to send to various advertising companies who already are waiting for them free of charge.

“We have several advertising companies who have checked in with us to make models available to them but most upcoming models do not have resources to launch their carriers so we have taken it upon ourselves to help them,” said Makazhu.

As various advertising companies are waiting for professional models Makazhu said November is going to be a busy month for the models after their portfolios are ready. Iconic Model Managemnet agency was formed in August 2014 and has raised a number of models including the current first princess for Miss Universities Yolanda Manhenga and also Vimbai Mukandi who is doing well in commercial modelling.

They have also worked with Eugenia Chiyangwa who is the current Miss Cultural Zimbabwe and as a model organisation they take pride in bringing up more successful models from the grassroots. Makazhu also said they are preparing models for upcoming events like the hair show and anniversary celebrations in Victoria Falls.

“As an agent we are active in seeing our models have something to look forward to,” he added. Models are finding it hard to penetrate the market which puts them at risk of abuse and exploitation as many of them end up desperate and would do anything just to make sure they take part and even win beauty pageants.