As Botswana’s modelling grows, international agencies are setting their eyes in the country for their next big model. Future Face Africa is currently looking for models to sign for international platforms such as London.
Renowned local model who hails from Maun, Kakanyetso Gabatshole, has been given the opportunity to spearhead the search.
Now an international model, Gabatshole – who is with Isis Models Africa-Johannesburg – was once given an opportunity by MYSC to do AFI (African Fashion International) fashion week-Johannesburg and that’s where she was scouted by Isis Models Africa-Johannesburg. She says the opportunity will help grow the careers of local models.
“Future Face Africa is a platform that will give local models a chance to showcase their talent, earn an income and gain exposure in the international modelling industry because they will meet well established fashion gurus across Africa and worldwide,” she told Executive Life in an interview. The models will also have a chance to be signed to international modelling agenies that will help them to work in Europe.”
Elizabeth Isiorho, who is the Head of Scouting and Development for Beth Model Management and Future Face Africa, says Future Face Africa was supposed to be a female-only competition. However, due to overwhelming demand, males can now apply too.
Future Face Africa is an explosive new talent search that is poised to become the largest model scouting competition Africa. This will be the most comprehensive model search ever done in the continent and will provide maximum opportunities for African talent to participate in.
The project is being spearheaded by a pioneer in the African modelling industry and the founder of Africa’s biggest modelling agency, Beth Model Management Africa, representing over 200 models, more than 50 of whom are placed with top international agencies around the world.
Over the last 16 years, Beth Model Management Africa has served as an industry pacesetter, helping to launch the careers of dozens of internationally placed models and has cultivated some of the best talents in the industry.
Now with Future Face Africa, Isiorho is taking things a step further by expanding her model search to countries across the African continent. The platform aims to discover promising African talents and give them a pedestal to become supermodels internationally while promoting and developing the modelling industry within Africa.
Future Face Africa will be giving opportunities to people from various backgrounds and skin tones, aiming to go beyond the buzzwords of “diversity” and “inclusivity” to create an initiative that truly celebrates the range of beauty that the industry has to offer. It will equip selected models with the knowledge and skills to achieve international success and to have long-lasting careers in a very highly competitive industry.
“Africa is filled with beautiful and raw talents who are yet to be discovered and may sometimes be overlooked,” Isorho said. “Africa has produced some of the world’s most exquisite models. In the past decade, a number of these African beauties have shone in the limelight at international fashion weeks, on the catwalk and as muses for some of the fashion world’s most highly respected designers.”
The aim and purpose of Future Face Africa is to discover the next supermodel in Africa and give them a pedestal to succeed internationally. It also aims to promote and develop the African fashion and modelling industry.
Future Face Africa’s finale will be held in Lagos, Nigeria in December 2021.
FFA is keenly aware that some of the factors that keep models stagnant is exploitation and abuse. “We don’t give room for that when we place our models internationally as their mother agency,” Isorho stated. “We are looking for ‘that face,’ a true fashion model who would grace the world stage and get their big break in the modelling industry; one who has that unique look and stands out.”
