Modelling agency brings change to industry

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Friday June 15, 2018 12:36

They said they felt that the agencies were exploiting aspired models.  Unlike other agencies, we have no registration fee and our models don’t have to pay for their photo shoots. We don’t want to prey on our models. We have realised that many modelling agencies locally prey on models. It is not right. Models don’t have to pay us for working for us. We want to change modelling agencies in Botswana.”

Mojoko added that their agency would give everyone a chance and confidence to pursue their dream as professional models regardless of their size and height. She explained that modelling had different categories that accommodated people of different body shape and height.  Their agency accepts people of different ages from children as little as one to adults.

“We want to give children and the youth exposure to the industry at a tender age. Our agency has deliberately made its meetings strictly on weekends because our main objective is to prohibit the youth from engaging in social ills such as drug and alcohol abuse. We have realised that being idle and bored in most cases contributes to drug and alcohol abuse amongst our youth,” she said. Monageng said they also advocate for women empowerment. She said they aim to build plus-size women’s confidence that is why they accept them in their agency unlike others that only accommodate slim women.

“All women look beautiful regardless of their body size. There is stigma when it comes to plus-size models and we are trying to break it. We want to change the mindset of the society that being ‘big’ is okay and beautiful. Our plan is to eliminate the discrimination of these groups of women and introduce them to the ramp,” she confidently said. Monageng added that they would also be working hand-in-hand with unknown local designers.

She explained that there are a number of unknown talented fashion designers who have not had a chance to showcase their talents to the world. She said they intend to unearth those talents and give them the recognition and exposure they deserve. “Since Botswana is not that much into modelling, we want to sell our agency both locally and on the international platform. We are currently enroling a maximum of 30 people including males, females and children. This doesn’t mean that we discard people who want to be part of our team.

We have decided to do class for those who couldn’t make it to our agency, teach them how to model, market and sell themselves to the industry,” she added. So far, Chapt Modelling Agency prides itself in its success as two of its alumni won the Choppies Blue Clothing competition. The children will be part of the country’s biggest retail stores clothing line faces. Moreover, the owners will be hosting a number of events with the intention of raising funds for the agency’s launch. They will be having fashion shows, a winter bash that will be hosted on July 7, 2018 at Riders Valley in Metsimotlhabe, Model Car Wash and will also bake and sell cupcakes to raise funds for the launch.