Durban - The annual Durban Fashion Fair (DFF) is an event I look forward to – it’s our answer to the fashion weeks that happen in Cape Town and Joburg.
For four days all eyes in the industry are on the city. The best designers in South Africa showcase their collections and the front row seats are filled with A-list celebrities and socialites. It’s a fashion feast and everyone comes dressed to the nines, ready to dine.
I am by no standards a model. In fact, I have never looked at it as a career. Yes, I take good selfies now and then but that’s about it. However, when I was invited to attend the professional models' casting for the DFF a few weeks ago, I decided to attend it as a “model”. You know, go through the casting process as a real model, stand in the long queues and attempt to walk down the runway.
With the assistance of Steven Brown, the publicist involved with DFF, my day was all planned.
Although I knew that I was only going through this for a story, I got nervous when I saw how many people had turned up. There were hundreds of models waiting for their turn. I decided to walk around for a bit and get a feel of the vibe and clear my head.
Most of the guys were taller than I am even though I am taller than most of my friends. Most of them had muscular physiques or were at least toned and were not as slight as me.
Before I saw the judges who were going to be choosing the models, I was given a few tips by one of Durban’s leading male models, Vuyo Ngwabe.
First step: Fixing my posture. I do have a tendency to slouch but Vuyo helped me stand up straight, which helps when walking on the ramp.
Second step: My walk. It was not too difficult after the first 10 tries. “You have to walk as if you are a warrior going to war,” Vuyo advised. “Think of Shaka Zulu.”
A few strides on the grass and I had the hang of it.
Third step: The “ramp pose”. Luckily it wasn’t too difficult. I nailed it after a few tries.
At the end of our session, I wasn’t nervous anymore, even though I still felt I looked silly walking around the gardens practising. Soon after, I had to get registered and stand in a queue to try my luck against some of the best models in the city – trust me, it’s daunting.
Because I was the “new face”, many of the models wanted to know who I was and offered tips.
I was eventually called in – time to face the music. On the panel sat designers Karen Monk-Klijnstra, Kathryn Kidger, Zama Mathe and Terrence Bray, with DFF convener, Simphiwe Tshabalala.
Although I know all of these designers as Liam Joyce the journalist, I did not know them as Liam Joyce the model. No smiles, no “so good to see you again”, and no eye contact. Along with the three models that were called in with me, we had to stand in line and then model down a ramp, all at once and then one at a time. It was over within five minutes, I had practised my walk in the office for at least an hour, to different genres of music and I had a Model 101 with Vuyo.
The designers kept it real when it came to their pointers on me as a model.
Zama Mathe
“You have a great walk but I would not put you in any garment of mine because I think people will be interested in you and not the garment because you are extremely gorgeous. In fact, you’re a pretty boy, even with some facial hair your features are striking.”
Terrence Bray
“You are the perfect height, your shoulders and proportion are great and so is your walk. I love that you have presence when you walk into a room and your confidence is on point. My concern is the same as Zama’s, however. When we look for models we obviously look for good looking people but it’s got to be a commercial look – your look is unique and your features will dominate. As a model, you are meant to sell the garment, people will be more concerned by you – Europe would love you and your look, and you are also slight”.
Kathryn Kidger
Although Kathryn does not design menswear, she said: “Today, I learnt something new about the proportion of your shoulders and height when looking at male models. When I look for female models the criteria are different. I agree with Zama and Terrence, we could put you in anything and you would rock it because of your confidence and commanding presence – you are beautiful, darling.”
Karen Monk-Klijnstra
“I think you are absolutely beautiful and I would really like you to model in my show at the fashion fair.”
My overall experience
Well, first I did not expect to be picked out to actually model so you can only imagine my excitement. It was great putting my feet in someone else’s shoes and seeing exactly what they go through. Even with all my nerves, I enjoyed myself. I walked away with a new-found respect for models and I made many new friends. The next time you see me, I will be working the runway in a Karen Monk-Klinjstra original :)
Liam Joyce, Sunday Tribune