NewFacesFiji to Build Budding Models
If ever scouted, the project will prepare the models on how competitive the industry is and to equip them with the skills and determination that is expected to deliver, regardless of age when scouted.
Internationally acclaimed model is set to start her own fashion project NewFacesFiji, to empower budding models and build their portfolios.
Fiji’s very own model, Phillipa Steele has initiated this project to provide a safe space through professional training, mentoring, counselling and mentally preparing local models.
Ms Steele said: “If ever scouted, the project will prepare the models on how competitive the industry is and to equip them with the skills and determination that is expected to deliver, regardless of age when scouted.
“We focus on branding and exclusivity,” she said.
“Models and artists are always taken advantage of -their work is always overused but this is not met through proper payments. “Therefore, we will try to teach our artists that keeping your brand exclusive, which is your face, and your name is important in building a career for yourself.”
Ms Steele said she did not have the support she aspires to become when she left the country’s shores for New York in the United States at the age of 17.
“This is something I’ve actually thought about when I was working in New York because something like this would have been a huge help for me while working as a fashion model in a foreign country.”
She said such support or agencies was an advantage for international models from other nations who she has met in her career.
“They have an agency back at home they turn to for everything and the agency also looks after them when they are abroad for assignments.”
Ms Steele said because of her experience on international runways and projects, she would be providing her expertise knowledge to the fresh faces scouted by NewFaceFiji project.
“As of this moment we are building our team to ensure we have the best talent, photographers, makeup artists, and stylists on board who share the same dream.” The project is set to be launched later this year.
NewFacesFiji Upcoming Plans
Ms Steele said 10 budding models were chosen through modeling auditions on March 6 of this year to walk for the upcoming Wearing Fiji – A Fashion Project.
“For now, we are hosting a competition where our favourite Top 10 new faces of this season will be walking for Wearing Fiji on May 1 at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Suva,” she said.
“We will have 2 categories ‘International Face’ and ‘Pacific Beauty’ where the winners, based on public voting, will be announced on the same night.”
She added there were other plans underway which will be made public later.
Originally from Sigatoka, Phillipa Steele was scouted by International Modeling Agency Trump Model Management, New York when she was 16.
She has since then moved over to New York Model Management, New York and signed with Independent Models in Milan, Marilyn in Paris, Storm Models in London, Uno Models in Barcelona and Vivien in Sydney.
She has flown to over 10 countries in the world to work with names such as Teen Vogue America, Vogue Italy, Cosmopolitan, Prada, Kanye West, Rodarte, and Roberto Cavali.
Ms Steele has also worked with designers who design for stars such as Cardi B, Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Gwen Stefani, Paris Hilton and many others.