The ´Founkie´ Truth About Modelling

Fashion models use their appearance and natural chemistry to sell goods or services. A model would commonly work in promotional production settings, including still photography sessions, video recording studios and venues featuring live fashion shows on runways.

A model’s marketability in the fashion world depends upon the image that is desired by his employer or dictated by the product or service he is promoting. While an image of athletic virility may be required to advertise youth-oriented goods, a more mature image may be preferred to promote services and products normally purchased by older consumers. A model who can convincingly portray a wide range of ages, styles and personalities, can significantly improve his/her marketability.

The life of the fashion model in T&T is definitely filled with alacrity and skepticism, although there is much to be revered with those who have both pioneered and revitalized the title ´fashion model´, and made the Caribbean proud. There is much to be developed both within the industry and with the general frame of reference, of what people credit to be a fashion model.

Seemingly the industry is punished with photography, photoshop, large egos, local ´ba-John´ model agencies, that promise lies and social media. Everyone and ´dey tanty´are models. The modelling industry doesn´t exclusively mean glamour, but also hardwork, sacrifice and dedication.

“The secret to modeling is not being perfect. What one needs is a face that people can identify in a second. You have to be given what’s needed by nature, and what’s needed is to bring something new.”  - Karl Lagerfeld

However, this ideal of the ´fashion model´ locally can be likened to Bachannal and Hototo. With the upsurge of so-called model agencies, they jockey on the hopes and dreams of persons who are none the wiser - giving some a false/chupidie impression and understanding of who and what a fashion model is. Also, some photographers that may just want to see some women ´dreevay´ in a swimsuit. Robbing them worse than the ´Midnight Robber´, of their image, money and pride, all for a few hundred facebook likes.

Fashion modelling, to many, has seemingly become another approach to reach the social and popularity world of ´snakes and ladders´. However, the craft requires much more than just a ´pretty face´. Modeling is a highly competitive industry. In addition to being attractive, one must be charismatic, photogenic, and must require a strong work ethic and a positive attitude.

Positively, there have been those with Trinibagonian blood, who have made remarkable headway in the international fashion world. To name a few - 

Michelene Auguste – 

(Signed to Models1 in London, England) 

With such an haunting gaze. Michelene Auguste has definitely made her mark as a working model internationally. 

In 2005 Michelene began her initial fashion model training with Coco Velvet International Fashion and Model Management, Trinidad. 

Portfolio Excerpts

• Shoots with Rankin for the Harrods Fashion Lab Campaign and Magazine,
• Aqua by Aqua now AQ/AQ Campaign.
• PPQ for Sleek Makeup Campaign.
• Appeared in Garzia Magazine and Volt Magazine
• Worked with designers such as Moncler Gamme Rouge, Issey Miyake , Mark Fast ,Ktz, Antipodium, Mario Schwab, Felipe and
  Oliveira Baptista 

Crystal Noreiga – 

(Signed to Elite Model Managament, New York) 

Everyone has the potenital to be extrodinary and 21 year old Crystal has taken her abilities to another level. Crystal Noreiga’s breathtaking, chocolate-brown skin and sharp features, not to mention her waif, 5’11 body suggested her prestigious position in the industry.

Portfolio Excerpts

• Flaunt Magazine
• Catherine Habour, London 
• Marc Hibbert for Volt Magazine
• Ben and Zee
• Worked with designers such as Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klevin, Emanuel Ungaro, Allude, Valentine Yudashkin 

Another product of Coco Velvet International Fashion and Model Management, Trinidad.

There are countless others, such as Leah-Marie Guevara, Avionne Mark and Athaliah Samuel but I must make  special mention to another model that I have always been proud of.

This Caribbean Queen from the costal village of Moruga, Trinidad, the exquisite beauty and arresting charm, Soowan Bramble. A truly gifted model..

Soowan Bramble –

She has undoubtly fascinated the fashion community locally and regionally. Every moment on the runway is brought to life with her embodiment of symmetrical glamour.

Portfolio Excerpts

• Face of Campari, Italian Company
• She Caribbean Magazine
• Wow Magazine
• Caribbean Belle 
• Best Model of the Universe Pageant, Panama
• First professional fashion model as a fashion sketch model at the Caribbean Academy of Fashion Design (CAFD), University of Trinidad & Tobago. 
• Worked with designers such as Meiling, Heather Jones, Claudia Pegus, Shaun Griffth Perez, Wadada Movement and more. 

Product of The House of Jacqui Fashion Acency and Coco Velvet International Fashion and Model Management, Trinidad.

In a 2013 interview with the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian Newspaper, Soowan said, ¨Modelling has helped me in many ways, beginning with my self esteem. I was somewhat a shy child who didn´t act out on things, I inwardly wanted to.¨

Source - http://www.guardian.co.tt/lifestyle/2013-05-09/brambles-best

Soowan continues to make us all proud, with her warm/doux-doux darling personality, fashionable appeal, and her assiduous spirit. As she continues to place her stamp on the fashion world, her promising future keeps us guessing. 

It´s great to know that our Caribbean people are blessed with so many talented individuals, and that one day, we will have a fashion industry, which will flourish and be internationally accepted .  

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