Entertainment / Local
Bulawayo model for Toronto Africa Fashion Week
06 Jul 2014 at 11:38hrs | Views
BULAWAYO born internationally acclaimed and award-winning high-end fashion magazine model — Tholakele Dlamini - has been invited to participate in this year's prestigious Africa Fashion Week to be held in Toronto, Canada in August.
After setting her eyes on giving a new meaning to what has been perceived a cliché in the local modelling industry, Tholakele says she has set her eyes on turning the industry around, through imparting the knowledge and ideas she adopted internationally.
"I have been invited to participate as an Avant-garde model for the designers showcasing their couture. The industry in Zimbabwe is dying because many Zimbabweans undermine their capabilities and this is the main reason why there are few Zimbabweans making it big out there in the industry," she said.
Tholakele has been actively involved in the high-end fashion, glitz and glamour industry since 2009.
She first took part in the Face of Africa competition in Nigeria, where she was exposed to the international world, owing much to her magnificent talent.
She said she was happy to have had the opportunity to experience what most Zimbabwean, let alone African models fail to go through.
"I started modelling in 2009 and managed to make a breakthrough in my career in 2010, after taking part in the Face of Africa competition held in Nigeria.
"I also had the opportunity to take part in a fashion event, where I shared the ramp with world-renowned model Naomi Campbell. Thereafter, I signed with an agency in Johannesburg and another in Cape Town. During my stint in South Africa, I managed to tour parts of Europe and Africa, sharing the ramp with other famous models such as Tanzania's Ajuma Masenyama and America's Secille Lopez. I am so honoured and happy to have been part of history. Through my talent I was able to represent the girl child who dreams of taking up their talent and living out of it," she said.
Tholakele also said she was very much interested in partnering with other models and imparting what she had learnt while abroad and what she had also picked up from the agency she was affiliated to — Hunnar Management Agency.
"My growth in the industry has been a journey not only for my career but as a person. Being a professional and a role model to others changes your life and you just have to set the standards. I have learnt never to take work for granted and the people I work with," she said.
Tholakele said after returning to Zimbabwe she started an online fashion house, which only showcases Zimbabwean designs and focuses on local trends and labels.
"Having returned back home I started my own online fashion house, which particularly focuses on promoting local trends and labels. Through this I have deep hopes of seeing Zimbabwe marked as a multi-talented nation in all aspects," she said.
Tholakele added that she was driven by her love for Africa and its traditions and expressed hope to share them with the world.
"I am inspired by Africa and embracing your roots wherever you are in the world will surely make a difference and drive you to the top," she said.
After setting her eyes on giving a new meaning to what has been perceived a cliché in the local modelling industry, Tholakele says she has set her eyes on turning the industry around, through imparting the knowledge and ideas she adopted internationally.
"I have been invited to participate as an Avant-garde model for the designers showcasing their couture. The industry in Zimbabwe is dying because many Zimbabweans undermine their capabilities and this is the main reason why there are few Zimbabweans making it big out there in the industry," she said.
Tholakele has been actively involved in the high-end fashion, glitz and glamour industry since 2009.
She first took part in the Face of Africa competition in Nigeria, where she was exposed to the international world, owing much to her magnificent talent.
She said she was happy to have had the opportunity to experience what most Zimbabwean, let alone African models fail to go through.
"I started modelling in 2009 and managed to make a breakthrough in my career in 2010, after taking part in the Face of Africa competition held in Nigeria.
Tholakele also said she was very much interested in partnering with other models and imparting what she had learnt while abroad and what she had also picked up from the agency she was affiliated to — Hunnar Management Agency.
"My growth in the industry has been a journey not only for my career but as a person. Being a professional and a role model to others changes your life and you just have to set the standards. I have learnt never to take work for granted and the people I work with," she said.
Tholakele said after returning to Zimbabwe she started an online fashion house, which only showcases Zimbabwean designs and focuses on local trends and labels.
"Having returned back home I started my own online fashion house, which particularly focuses on promoting local trends and labels. Through this I have deep hopes of seeing Zimbabwe marked as a multi-talented nation in all aspects," she said.
Tholakele added that she was driven by her love for Africa and its traditions and expressed hope to share them with the world.
"I am inspired by Africa and embracing your roots wherever you are in the world will surely make a difference and drive you to the top," she said.
Source - Sunday News
