BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE– Model Sakhile Simelane has shot her shot at Vogue.
The eloquent runway model has also enlisted help from emaSwati with her multiple videos that she posted for the Vogue Open Casting.
This is a global model-search that will find, encourage, and support a new generation of models that embody a modern ideal of beauty.
The project is looking for femme-identifying individuals 18 and older from all over the world. There, they will be able to submit photographs and a short video, as well as answer a questionnaire to highlight their personality. Applicants do not need to be signed by an agency, and there is no entry fee.
Worth noting is that Some of Vogue’s favourite models were discovered in the most surprising of ways: Kate Moss at JFK airport and Naomi Campbell window-shopping in Covent Garden.
Open Casting is an initiative that will foster the next generation of Vogue talent, with particular attention to the need for more diverse and inclusive representation in fashion.
Simelane in her various Instagram posts said it would mean a lot to her to win and get recognition from Vogue.
“I’m so excited about the possibilities of this opportunity, now we wait,” she said.
In 2020 Simelane hogged headlines when she became the first model in the country to be fully endorsed by Naomi Campbell.
This was after her vogue picture challenge made it to the Vogue Portugal Instagram page.
It clearly caught their attention as it was one of the best worldwide. Speaking to the model, at the time she said she was excited by this gesture and this meant she was on the right track with her passion.
She further mentioned that it definitely served as a motivation and encouragement not to stop with her career.
Meanwhile, her profile reads that Simelane is a fashion model who grew up in the Kingdom of Eswatini. She is also a self-taught fashion designer and fashion stylist and she is a qualified Social Sciences graduate of the University of Eswatini.
Before devoting her full time and effort to the entertainment industry, Sakhile had no idea that this was the path that would steal her heart.
Her modelling career only began in 2016, during which she was in her sophomore year as a University student. Sakhile joined and won the Miss Uneswa pageant from which her passion for modelling was ignited.
In her quest to become a successful model, Sakhile was headhunted by KFC Eswatini to be one of the ambassadors for an Independence celebration campaign in 2016.
As much as things were not as smooth as she had hoped, Sakhile’s resilience and work ethic pushed her into Swazi Plaza advertisement billboards in 2020.
She went on to be hailed by one of the best supermodels in the world, Naomi Campbell after a photograph of her made rounds all over social media. In addition to this, Sakhile continues to create extraordinary work with local photographers and break new ground.
In her last interview with this publication, she highlighted that she has always been great before the Vogue mention, and still going to be great even after. She recalled the mention and accolades from Naomi Campbell as a reminder of her greatness.
