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Rumbidzai Mhlanga, Sunday Life Reporter
FOR quite a long time Bulawayo has been the power house for the modelling industry in the country but it looks like it has lost its lustre.
Unlike before where 90 percent of Miss Zimbabwe and Miss Tourism winners came from Bulawayo, it’s been long since the city had a winner. Samantha Tshuma, a former Miss Tourism winner and co-ordinator of Open Eye Studio modelling agency highlighted some of the problems models face.
“Nothing much has changed, but probably it’s because of the economy and affordability of things. It’s quite an expensive industry especially the pageantry because models are given a list of things they should buy for themselves for example outfits, do their nails and hair, hence it’s really challenging.
“We do have great models but even though they are good some of them cannot afford to look the part, that’s why people haven’t been hearing much about and from the modelling industry, the pageantry is different from the fashion industry where designer dresses, hairstylist and makeup artists are provided,” she continued.
She said modelling agencies are still casting their nets wider in search of fresh talent to mould.
“There are programmes that groom and scout young talent and while scouting when I see great potential I groom for free although other classes for grooming and etiquette are paid for, I also do sponsorship for Miss Nust and Poly where I groom queens and sometimes princesses for free.
“My agency is just two years old hence I haven’t gone as far as grooming people from rural areas but I’m yet to tap in that market but so far I groom girls from high density areas where I meet girls at vocational centres and groom them about etiquette and modelling on weekends for free,” she added.
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