Dior’s Durban hunk gets a bite of the Big Apple
When Durban-born amateur rugby player Luntu Kili’s friend recommended him as a model for a local gym two years ago, he thought his acne would be a stumbling block.
But his face cleared and now the 21-yearold’s six-pack and chiselled looks have earned him a spot on the runway as he prepares to strut his stuff for Christian Dior in Manhattan.
Kili is likely to rub shoulders with such celebrities as Batman star Robert Pattinson and Korean boy band TXT, who are among Dior’s brand ambassadors, at the fashion show in SoHo, New York City, on Saturday.
“Honestly, I didn’t think I was going to be selected but when I got the news I was over the moon,” he said. “My mother is so excited and everyone at home, even my relatives in the Eastern Cape, are very excited. Dior is such a big brand and modelling for them gives me so much joy.”
Kili said he had been told he would get straight to work doing fittings once he landed in New York.
Growing up, Kili was passionate about rugby in high school he had no thoughts of becoming a fashion model. After matric, he studied supply chain management but is now focusing on modelling.
He said he would go back to his studies for his second year.
“I was into sports, especially rugby. When I decided to study after school, I continued with my rugby and going to the gym. My friend recommended me to Planet54, who needed a model at the time. I didn’t think it was possible because, in high school, I had pimples and acne.
“After I decided to do it, I started getting booked weekly and was commissioned for runway shows for local designers. I realised this was something I was good at and there was a future in it, so I decided to go all in.” Kili said his breakthrough came when he auditioned at the International Modelling & Talent Association show last year. This year he was selected to take part in an event in New York where he competed with models from across the world.
During the three-day event Kili won awards as male commercial model of the year, as “fashion prince” and as fashion runway model of the year. “This is just the beginning and I’m going to branch out to other things such as acting,” he said.
Elsubie Louwrens, CEO of Kili’s local agency 33 and Me, said Kili would be the only South African modelling in the SoHo show.
The agency’s models have previously secured contracts with brands such as Hugo Boss, the NBA and Dolce & Gabbana. Louwrens said Kili would motivate local models to believe their dreams can become reality.
“Luntu is a living example that Africa gets noticed by the world. Taking on the Christian Dior show in New York is a statement to aspiring models in the South African fashion industry,” she said.