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.”
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