Breaking the stereotype of modeling
Spira Tlhankane | Friday May 12, 2017 11:30
But the society is slowly rejecting the old ways with the introduction of plus size models on the ramp and many people are starting to reject the old stereotype by forming movements of their own. The fashion industry is too big after all and everyone can have his or her equal share.
A petite model from Empire Modeling Agency has done the impossible by following her dream despite being called ‘too short’ at modeling auditions. Now that she is in the centre of it all in spite of her so called vertical challenge, Segolame Ramolefhe has now formed a fashion movement called Imperfect Models and will host a conference on June 3 at Woodlane Hotel in order to advocate for models of different imperfections in the modeling industry.
Many international models have managed to make it into the fashion world despite their imperfections and such example is Melanie Gaydos who has no teeth because she was born with Ectodermal Dysplasia. There is an Australian model, Andreja Pejić who is a transgender woman and was billed as an androgynous male until 2014.
A victim of abuse during her childhood days, Tess Holliday is the first-ever obese woman signed by a modeling agency in the USA. Diandra Forrest is an African American albino model popular for her unconventional looks.
A Latvian super model, Viktoria Modesta is the world’s first amputee pop star and model. Jillian Mercado is suffering from Degenerative Muscular Dystrophy and she still marches on the ramp on a wheel chair. Daphne Selfe started modeling at the age of 86 and broke all stereotypes of aging and beauty. Jamie Brewer became the first-ever model with Down Syndrome to walk the runway at the New York Fashion Week.
With all these imperfections, these models have managed to make it big in the fashion industry against all odds. Ramolefhe, who began her passion for modeling at young age in beauty pageants, believes Batswana aspiring models can achieve the same feet if the industry advocates for everyone.
“I am a short individual and I know I am good on the ramp but unfortunately it’s very hurtful when people don’t want to work with me because I am too short,” she said. She said it is hurting even more when these agencies do not want to work with someone because the latter posses an imperfect trade they cannot change about themselves.
She said she has formed the ‘imperfect models’ movement to advocate the recognition and realisation of people with equally robust potential to prosper within the modeling industry but are not regarded as perfect.
“Though they are a bit shy, these people have potential, the local industry should look in a different angle and work with people with equal potential,” she highlighted. Ramolefhe said the local industries have had auditions and picked skinny girls who they feel are perfect. “The modeling industry, advertising agencies should stop turning a blind eye to imperfect models,” she said
She said with the Imperfect Models conference she wants to educate upcoming and potential models about different types of modeling from commercial to editorial modeling. She said they will invite speakers in the form of designers, photographers, models, just to mention but a few.
Ramolefhe said they will give away free incentives like portfolio shoots and makeup tutorials for potential models. She said they have invited former Miss Botswana Rosemary Kefitlhile to speak about pageantry. She said the single ticket cost P130 while the double tickets cost P200. Ramolefhe said she is working with Thapelo Odirile on the movement.
Looking back, the 23-year-old said she was just doing pageantry for fun as a child and did not know it would develop into modeling. “It was a time passer but it eventually turned into something I was passionate about,” she said.
She said she encountered the stigma of being short in pageantries as she moved higher in education.
After completing her Form Five she auditioned for Miss Botswana and made it to the top 16. “I got to learn more about myself and the industry as a whole,” she said.
Ramolefhe said when the competition built up at Miss Botswana fashion show she realised her passion for modeling. “It was a learning curve and since then I have never participated in any beauty pageant,” she said.
“Now working with Empire, everything has been blissful, awesome, but full of huddles, I meet designers, models, photographers with different characters and a network of people who helped me to grow myself,” she said.
Ramolefhe said models have to invest in themselves and create their own image and brand. “You need to identify what kind of style you identify with,” she said.