Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Banner Left
Banner Right

The Challenges Faced By Male Models

For a long time the fashion scene has seemed to be the domain of female models, while their male counterparts struggled to make their mark, particularly in Namibia.

This is slowly changing as more male models make good, but they still face unique challenges.

Bernneddicco Divoli Uirab (26) has been a model for the past five years and says there is a small market for male models.

“The reality is that there is nothing much happening in the industry for male models,” says Uirab, who has walked the runway for South African fashion label House of Saint Luke, Namibia fashion house MN Creations, well-known fashion designer Melisa Poulton and C-Square, among others. He also represented Namibia at the Mr Africa International pageant.

“We hardly have anything focusing on male models so most of the time we are left to create our own content on Instagram or other social platforms.”

Uirab emphasises that male models need more opportunities to flourish, just like their female counterparts.

The heart-throb, who is known for his ultra sexy half-naked photos, says Namibia needs to host pageants for men and urges designers to create more for men.

Due to a lack of opportunities locally, Uirab plans to spread his wings in future.

“There are more opportunities outside the country.”w

He advises upcoming male models to focus on being original as that is the only way to stand out from the crowd.

Teemus Joe Nakapela, popularly known as Joe White, started modelling in 2012 and agrees that the industry is tough to crack, especially for males.

“Fashion designers don’t really like using male models,” said White, who has modelled for different modelling agencies as well as at fitness clothing companies.

The 27-year-old urges designers as well as corporates to establish platforms exclusively for male models. In the absence of opportunities, White is also eyeing the international market.

His advice for fellow male models is to take the job seriously, as one never knows when they will next get a gig.

“Try hard to do any fashion show just to get some experience and you should always work out,” he says. “A male model should have a sickening pose.”

Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!

Latest News