Model citizens Local models making it big
Give it up for these stunning four local models who walked the runways of New York, London, Paris and Milan for autumn/winter 2017!
Nina Milner Androgynous style, wit and smarts make for a standout.
In the last 10 years, Ice Models’ Nina Milner, 29, has divided her time between Cape Town and the US. During her first international fashion week season, Nina walked for Alexander Wang, Fendi, Moschino, Versace and Lanvin. What was your Fashion Week experience like? I didn’t expect to walk in the shows, because I was only meant to be in the US to do some admin. I’m grateful to have seen inside the workings and the architecture of operations on that level. What was your favourite show? Lanvin. No heels, just flat shoes on a carpeted runway, which was the best. The venue, the Hôtel de Ville, was spectacularly ornate and has a wild history, as with many buildings in Paris. Everyone involved was calm and I felt so comfortable. What were your favourite trends? Lanvin’s classic femininity, combined with boots, hoods and leather. What did you want to take home? The suit I wore for Versace was flattering without being a particularly feminine cut. What really happens backstage? It feels like hundreds of makeup artists, stylists and photographers are all looking busy, while the models look like they’ve been waiting forever. What were the other models like? Some are open-hearted, some are guarded, but many of them are doing great things, like Hanne Odiele’s intersex awareness campaign and Adwoa Aboahs ‘GURLS’ initiative for educating young people about mental health. What was the best moment? Alexander Wang’s kind and gentle manner at the fitting helped me feel more grounded. And the worst moment? Walking for Alexander Wang and Fendi. I was just so inexperienced and my nerves took over.
Patricia Akello A dazzling smile and a fierce walk, are just two of the reasons New York City is loving this Ugandan beauty, and she’s here to stay.
Patricia Akello, 24, had just moved from Kampala, Uganda, to Cape Town in 2014 when she was signed to Fusion Models. After numerous local campaigns and editorials, she was placed with the prestigious Muse Models in New York City. Most recently, she strutted her stuff at Georgine, Zero + Maria Cornejo and Tadashi Shoji. What was your Fashion Week experience like? This was my second Fashion Week since moving to New York and it felt great – being more familiar with the city made for much less stress! What was your favourite show? Thom Browne featured a lot of models, but it was so organised and his designs were amazing! What were your favourite trends? I loved Naeem Khan’s prints. I didn’t walk for Libertine, but I loved the colour palette from the latest collection. What did you want to take home? There was a short, gold metallic Georgine dress with a cool key detail on the neck that I really loved. What really happens backstage? Imagine teams checking that models have arrived, hair and makeup artists, photographers taking beauty pics – often when I’m trying to eat! How were the other models? There were over 50 models at my first casting – intimidating! Then I realised that no one knows exactly what the client wants. And all of the girls were great. What was the best moment? Just doing New York Fashion Week was overwhelming, so every time I stepped onto the runway was my best moment! And the worst moment? Walking down a long runway in super high heels that were too small for me. I’d been called in at the last minute and my shoe size wasn’t available.
Ansolet Rossouw After walking in Paris, Ansolet has her sights set on New York.
Bloemfontein-born Ansolet, 17, was discovered on Instagram by the director of Fanjam Model Management. This year, she turned heads at Miu Miu and Valentino. What was your Fashion Week experience like? Busy, successful and pure excitement! What was your favourite show? Valentino’s timeless beauty and soft colours. What were your favourite trends? The bleached eyebrows at Maison Margiela. What did you want to take home? The Valentino handbags, obviously! What really happens backstage? Everything from motivational chats from other models to styling. How were the other models? They’re not that bad once you get to know them. I made a lot of friends from Denmark. What was the best moment? Booking Valentino on a semi-exclusive basis. And the worst moment? When I didn’t book Balmain. I feel alright about it now, but it motivated me to work harder.
Chane Husselmann This fresh face is taking the fashion world by storm.
Chane, 16, hails from Bloemfontein and was discovered on Instagram by Fanjam Model Management. After turning 16, she took her first trip overseas, and landed a coveted Versace gig in Milan. What was your Fashion Week experience like? An incredible dream come true! What was your favourite show? Chanel is an inspirational brand and I got to model with Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner and many models I look up to. What were your favourite trends? The rocket-shaped Chanel clutch bag. What did you want to take home? All the makeup and accessories, plus a personal makeup artist! What really happens backstage? It’s chaos! Everyone is running around and there is no time to relax. How were the other models? I made a lot of friends, mostly from the Netherlands. What was the best moment? When I heard that I was confirmed for the Versace show in Milan. And the worst moment? When I realised that the whole trip was over! Although my feet were in such agony, I had to have a foot treatment.