Tamiris Souza Freitas

Production Paradise says"...Beautiful Brazilian Tamiris Souza Freitas became popular through her campaigns for Benetton and Top Shop. She has now had her big break-through: ten pages of main fashion for ID and four pages in Allure - both jobs with star photographer Michael Thompson..."

Photo Courtesy of modelwerk

Sylvia Owori

Cape Fashion Week says "...After studying at Newham in London Sylvia Owori returned to Uganda, started her own modelling agency under the name 'Ziper Models' (now called ZIPA), to date providing the bulk of models for the Ugandan market and opened a shop selling imported clothes from the UK and the US.

Following the success of the shop and the modelling agency she took on the challenge of revitalising the then defunct organisation of the 'Miss Uganda Beauty Pageant' which within the last four years turned into the largest event on the Ugandan social calendar. In 2000 she designed the outfits for the participants of the MNet Face of Africa regionals in Dar es Salaam and Cape Town to great acclaim from the public and the fashion commentators.

She now owns her own label 'Sylvia Owori' which is exclusively sold in her flagship shop in Kampala and in an outlet in Nairobi. These clothes, mostly of easy wear fabrics, are an affordable mix of classic office and formal clothes designed for sophisticated career-oriented women who follow fashion.

She successfully participated in the Kenyan Fashion Week last year having her designs published on the front page of Kenyan and Ugandan daily newspapers. The work she has done so far has attracted the interest of the makers of the Hollywood movie 'The Last King of Scotland" who have asked her to design and manufacture the costumes for the main characters and part of the cast of this prestigious movie, filming of which will start mid-June in Uganda.

Apart from her work as a designer and organiser of 'Miss Uganda', Sylvia also owns a trendy bar called Little Maama and will shortly start editing a new Ugandan women's magazine called 'African Woman' focussing on the interests of the modern African woman of today.

The next step in her career will be her participation in the 'Nokia Cape Town Fashion Week' in August this year..."

Photos Courtesy of Miss Uganda and Sylvia Owori

Nabli Dahani

Nabil Dahani website says "...Born in Rabat, Morocco, Nabil DAHANI attended the renowned Canadian Fashion Institution, "College Lasalle", before perfecting his skills in the Paris based "l'ecole de la Chambre Syndicate de la couture Parisienne..."

Photo courtesy of Nabil Dahani

Amsale Aberra

Bride Power says "...Amsale Aberra left her home of Ethiopia in 1973 to further her studies abroad. She began her college career in Vermont and eventually moved to Boston. It was after graduating from Boston State College that Amsale decided to pursue her love of fashion in the place that fashion thrives; New York City.

She attended the school at the New York Fashion Institute of Technology and finished in 1982. Armed with her degree in Fashion, Amsale Aberra served as a design assistant for some well known and established designers. As she learned more and more about the fashion industry she became intrigued with the bridal industry. Not able to find a satisfactory dress for her own wedding, she simply designed her own. From there, Amsale introduced a classic and sophisticated bridal gown design that caught the attention of many in the bridal industry.

Amsale’s use of luxurious fabrics along with accents such as satin ribbons, soft bows and light beadwork make her a sought after designer for brides all over the world. Her silhouettes curve and accent any body shape. Amsale Aberra has been a pioneer in the bridal industry and will continue to dress brides and influence the bridal community with her modern and elegant appeal.

Photos Courtesy of Amsale

Ali Adam

Cape Fashion Weeks Says"...Ali Adam is a man of many faces, of many worlds, of many cultures. But essentially he is a man of Africa. Although a relative newcomer to haute couture, having recently launched his own label in the latter part of 2004, he is rapidly making his mark amongst discerning socialites.

Born in Kumasi in 1971, Ali’s mother, a skilled seamstress, instilled a sense of fashion in him from an early age. He spent the first 17 years in his native Ghana and was greatly influenced by the rich colours of the traditional Kente fabrics and diverse textures of this vibrant nation, which are evident in his exquisitely made garments today.

After completing his high-school education, Ali moved to Nigeria to study at Eleyele School of Fashion, honing his skill of traditional Ghanaian hand & machine embroidery techniques, which has since become his signature.

In 1993 he relocated to Johannesburg in South Africa to take up a job offer with Remote Clothing for 18 months. During this apprenticeship, interest from a Danish client prompted his next move.

In 1996 Ali moved to Copenhagen, where he spent two years working for an exclusive fashion house – Øhrolos. Exposure to the sophisticated European fashion scene left its mark indelibly on Ali’s work, yet the spirit of his creations continued to stem from a truly African soul. The result is an extraordinary fusion of Euro-African styles.

“ My creations combine those elements of life, of change and of surprise with a sense of luxurious comfort and exclusive well-being ”

His latest evening wear collection, named in honour of his home town – Kumasi, overlap textures that would otherwise never meet. Shot Taffata’s, combined with contemporary structured tailoring, embellished with silk thread and beading are sculpted into exquisite bodices defining the beauty of the female contours, complimented by heavy satin panelled skirts which skim the ground. His daywear is equally arresting, a shocking pink natural fray knee-length jacket with un-selvaged edges, over pagan orange crushed silk culottes would not look out of place worn in London’s, Kings Road.

Not surprisingly, his designs have attracted an exclusive list of clients from as far away as Washington DC, New York, Switzerland and the Netherlands. A highlight in this young man’s career was in 2004, when Ali was commissioned by Miss Sierra Leone, Miatta Dabo to dress her for the prestigious Miss Africa International 2004 Beauty Pageant held at the Lincoln Centre.

After these two consecutively successful shows, Ali was contacted by SABC 3 Free Spirit to dress their popular presenter Thame Ngubani

And perhaps the most important recognition of this young designers incredible talent comes from his peers. Notable among others are Sisterbucks and Zikomo who have both embellished their own ranges with the exquisite embroidery created by Ali and showcased at last years Cape Town Fashion week and the Civic Centre respectively.

Today, Ali lives and works in the heart of Cape Town, where he recently opened his first design studio in Shortmarket street..."

Photos Courtesy of Cape Town Fashion Week

Umzingeli

Umzingeli, meaning hunter and gatherer in Xhosa and Zulu, defines the vision and mission of the company, having made its hunting ground the continent of Africa . The company's logo symbolizes its readiness for the challenges of the 21 st Century and believes passionately in promoting and showcasing the talent of Africa .

Umzingeli Productions specializes in the production and direction of special events for stage and television in the fields of fashion, lifestyle and music.

Jan Malan, director of Umzingeli Productions, a Namibian by birth, is one of the leading show producers in Africa . He conceptualised and spearheaded the Face of Africa Model Search in 1997, which was broadcast to more than 44 African countries and the United States . He pioneered 'Africa Designs', for the first time giving African designers the opportunity to showcase their talents at New York Fashion Week. Subsequently Malan has staged productions in more than twelve countries, including the finals of the Ford Supermodel of the World in the Dominican Republic and in Miami , USA .

He was also responsible for the direction of high profile events such as Afridesia for AngloGold (At New York Fashion Week) and the launch of the African Renaissance Blue Train..."

Noemie Lenoir

Askmen.com says"...Five-foot ten-inch stunner Noemie Lenoir (pronounced "Linwah") hails from the equally breathtaking town of Versailles, just outside of Paris, France..."

Sara Templeton of Webwombat says "...Noemie Lenoir appears to be the next big thing in modeling circles: Like Laetitia Casta, she's not only French, but has all the hallmarks of becoming the mid-naughties' most wanted model.

Noemie has conquered the modeling scene in Europe and America in less than four years, with much of her success down to her image.

She has what industry types would call a "fresh" look: Her mother is from an island off the coast of Madagascar, while her father of French blood. With her emerald eyes, striking hair and 'best walk' according to many, Noemie isn't likely to disappear from the modeling A-list anytime soon.

Talking about her meteoric rise to fame, Noemie said: "I never really enjoy being recognised. I'm not from a show business background, and it is strange to realize that everyone is waiting for me."

Well, in actual fact she said: "Je ne me réjouis pas réellement d'être reconnue. Je ne suis pas issue du milieu du show business, et c'est curieux de réaliser que tout le monde vous cherche," but we just translated.

Born in 1980, Versailles, Noemie was 'discovered' in a post office purchasing stamps when she was 16, by a Ford Models representative.

Soon after being signed up with a Ford agent, she got her first gig doing a shoot for French Marie Claire. After this she landed a GAP clothing campaign, then Ralph Lauren. But before things got too hectic, Noemie decided to finish her schooling and to increase her knowledge of English.

These agenda items completed, she set off for the Big Apple - New York, New York - in 1999 to persue a career in the fashion in industry.

And what a career it's been! Having worked with some of the industry's most recognised photographers - and not by chance, either - such as Mario Testino, Ellen von Unwerth, Peter Lindbergh and others, Noemie Lenoir is as far from the stereotypical model as one could be.

For instance, when a conversation turns to top models, most think of binge drinking, huge A-list parties with more celebs than you can shake a stick at and lots of nudity and raunchy sex. Noemie, however, is the exact opposite, a model preferring to sleep a lot, and who has fresh attitude towards her job.

Some of her work includes the world-famous Pirelli Calendar, campaigns for Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren Jeans and L'Oreal, has done shoots for magazines Allure, Glamour, Mademoiselle, and multiple internationals for Elle, Vogue and Marie Claire.

She has cat-walked for more than 18 designers, including Gucci and Oscar de la Renta, has been part of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue on more than one occasion, has modeled for the US lingerine line Victoria's Secret and has even starred in her first movie - Astérix & Obélix: Mission Cléopâtre, alongside Gerard Depardieu and Monica Bellucci..."


Photo Courtesy of Noemie Lenoir

Juliana Imai

Part Brazilian, Japanese and Portuguese and recently mentioned in I am Fashion blog as one of the top Asian Supermodels. This lady educated in Buddisim and found at the age of 15 recently modeled for the winter 2005 collection of Gucci.

Juilana Imai a.k.a Mega also has a 1 year old son Ricardo and her family lives in Brazil.


Photo by Don Ashby and Courtesy of STYLE.COM

Waris Dirie

Waris Dirie says "...Female Genital Mutilation has nothing to do with culture, tradition or religion. It is a torture and a crime, which needs to be fought against..."

Hello Magazine says "...One of 12 children born to desert nomads, Waris escaped being sold into marriage for five camels at the age of 13 by running away to London, where she worked as her uncle's maid. There she taught herself to read and write, and five years later got her big break when a photographer spotted her working in a fast food restaurant. Soon she was gracing catwalks and magazine covers, and even appeared in the 1987 Bond film The Living Daylights.

A decade on, Waris, whose name means "desert flower" in her native tongue, left modelling to campaign for the UN against female circumcision, having been a victim of the process herself aged five. She recorded her extraordinary journey in a best-selling autobiography, Desert Flower, along with its sequel Desert Dawn, and hasn't looked back since leaving the profession. "I can enjoy anywhere, and I can leave it," she says. "Life is about moving on."..."


Photo Courtesy of Uknownpoets

Vera Wang

Nadia Mustafa of Time Magazine says"... When Vera Wang married businessman Arthur Becker in 1989, she gained more than a husband: she found a calling. Frustrated by her search for a fashion-forward wedding dress, the aspiring designer launched her own collection the following year. Today she is one of the world’s best known bridal-gown designers and the Council of Fashion Designers of America's reigning Womenswear Designer of the Year.

She also presides over a $300 million company, which she's expanding into ready-to-wear,fine jewelry,eyewear and home décor. The daughter of Chinese immmigrants, Wang grew up on Manhattan's Upper East Side. She summered in Paris, attending fashion shows with her mother..."



Photo courtesy of DigitalHit

Frida Giannini

Frida Giannini is the 33 year old Creative Director of Women's Wear, Gucci. Nadia Mustafa of Time Magazine says ".... The new brain behind the Gucci woman is nothing like Tom Ford. "[Tom's] obsessed with [selling] sex, and I'm not," says Italian Frida Giannini, who calls herself tamer than her brazen former boss. Giannini, who replaced Alessandra Facchinetti as creative director of women's wear at the $2 billion luxury house last spring, is known for her talent as an accessories designer. Now she will have to prove herself in apparel.

Her plan is to bring a timeless quality to Gucci. She cites as an example the success of the Flora line of accessories introduced last year, inspired by the print of an old Gucci scarf made for Grace Kelly. "I want to continue to develop it, not sell it or mark it down," she says.

Giannini landed a job at Fendi in 1997, designing ready-to-wear before switching to leather goods. In 2002 she jumped to Gucci, where she oversaw handbags. In 2004 she was appointed creative director of accessories, which make up more than 80% of the company's sales. "I can't imagine the next fashion show without any jewelry or bags," she says.

Giannini, an avid equestrian, lives with her husband, a Web designer, in Florence. When she isn't finding a muse in objects as mundane as a doorknob—the shape of which she used for the heel of a Gucci shoe—she draws inspiration from the house's archives—for example, prints from scarves of the 1960s and '70s, which she has applied to dresses and shirts in the cruise collection.

Giannini's personality is already finding its way into the label's image. "The Gucci woman enjoys life, is successful in her job and leaves a lasting impression every time she walks into a room," she says, just as easily describing herself...."

Photo courtesy of Klik

Yasmin Warsame

Yasmin Warsame says " I hope my face is not my only fortune...I believe I had a life before modeling and will always have a life after modeling". This Somali native was discovered in Toronto while in her early 20's by fashion photographer Steven Meisel. She was even told she was " too couturier" in Toronto before she went to Paris to model for some of the top names in Fashion.

Some excerpts quoted from Fashion File Video Collections

Photo Courtesy of Photo by Don Ashby and courtesy of Style.com

Ai

Fashionwatch says"...Ai Tominaga has taken the modeling world by storm with her sweet porcelin look and unforgettable walk. Starting out in Kanagawa Japan, Ai was discovered in Tokyo and shortly after appeared on the cove of Vogue Japan.

With her tall lean feminine form, Ai has taken the catwalks by surprise, using her piercing brown eyes to attract the attention on the runway appearing in New York, Paris, Milan and more!...."

Photo by Don Ashby and courtesy of Style.com

Heather Marks

This doll-like elegant model from Canada, born of British parents was apparently spotted on the street at first.
Modelsource.ca says "...When Heather Marks was 12, her mother watched in horror as a panel of judges leaned over their table to gawk at the timid youngster's abnormally large feet.

Mother and daughter had been at the Calgary Women's show when they were cajoled into entering Heather, dressed in jeans and running shoes, into the Mode Models' model search. "If I had known about it I probably would have put her hair in ringlets and put some makeup on her," laughs Pat Marks.

Far from dainty heels, it was Heather's size ten running shoes that carried her down the runway. "And as she walked by, all the judges looked over the table at her feet and were laughing. She was so conscious of her big feet, and I'm like 'Oh my God she's going to just freak.'"

Despite her casual appearance and crimson complexion the super-shy Heather won the model search, and thus a superstar was born.

Voted the current favourite by modelresource readers in our year-end poll, Heather has lit up the modelling world in the past year, posing for the likes of Marc by Marc Jacobs, Moschino and Just Cavalli. She's also become a fixture on the world's runways, doing 77 shows last season alone!..."

Photo courtesy of Supermodel.nl

Ujjwala

Ujjwala means brilliant or lustrous in Hindi, and a briliant talent she is because she's one of india's most accomplished supermodels.Ujjwala's Official Website says "...Ujjwala Raut was born and raised in Bombay. Being one of five sisters she never had childhood dreams of becoming a model. That was before she was entered into a modeling contest by her older sister, this is the start of Ujjwala's new found career. Ujjwala has become one of India's most sought after models, and an international star with much success on the catwalk and print work...".


Photo Courtesy of Steve Landis

Jaunel

Kimbely Stephenson writes "...From age 16, when Jaunel McKenzie burst onto the scene, this Portmore resident has continued her ascent up the ladder of success in the fashion industry. McKenzie was the winner of the inaugural Caribbean Model Search in 2002 and ranks 39 in the world.

Jaunel was raised in Nannyville Gardens, Kingston, and attended Excelsior High School. After leaving high school, she was discovered quite by accident. With two months to spare and no solid plans, Jaunel decided to enter the Pulse Model Search; a search she initially thought had more to do with model training. She was unaware of the fact that she had signed up for one of the biggest competitions Jamaica sees annually.

"It is easy to be overwhelmed by the temptations of the industry and those temptations can easily lead to your downfall," she said.She admits to occasionally sneaking some KFC or Burger King into her diet, with the explanation that she has no strict exercise regimen. She dislikes make-up and frequently reminisces on the days when she was able to wear any pair of jeans she wanted to. In her still young career, however, she has had to stick to designer jeans such as Levi's, Guess and Calvin Klein.

Jaunel disagrees with the notion that promiscuity is a hallmark of the profession, and a requirement for getting ahead. "I haven't seen it and it hasn't been presented to me.yet".

She aims to eventually own her own accounting firm and clothing line. She believes she has not yet been changed by her career and hopes she doesn't. "I am still the same person. I haven't changed at all since my modelling career began..."

Photo by Don Ashby and Courtesy of STYLE.COM

Liya

Models.com says "....fashion’s most coveted girl right this minute, pops through her front door, precisely on time . I’m taken aback not because the model is punctual, but because her skin...the Ethiopian stunner is positively glistening. Her complexion is so pristine, all of Grand Street’s morning light seems to be swimming and coiling just beneath the surface of her cafe au lait skin..."

"...And indeed Liya is seven months pregnant , an eventuality that did not impede her last five bookings: Steven Meisel for American Vogue, Mario Testino for the cover of V, Micheal Thompson again for American Vogue, Ines van Lansweerde and Vinoodh Matadin for the latest Vidal Sasson campaign and now Eric Fischer for this MODELS.com cover session.
Hers has been the model success story of the year..."

She has also recently been appointed World Health Organisation's WHO's new goodwill ambassador for maternal, newborn and child health.


Photo Courtesy of Models.com

Myo

In Vietnam the popular folk music of Ca trù was originally associated with beautiful woman singers, the music charmed it’s listeners who watched such performances in geisha type lounges in Vietnam in the 15th century.

We describe Myo Nguyen as a Vietnamese Ca trù that charms the fashion modeling world with her beauty and character.

Photo Courtesy of SuperModels

Kimanee

Little is known about this 5'10 1/2 Jamaican model that has sealed modeling contracts for Oscar de la Renta, Givenchy and Levi's. Introduced to the Fashion world by Elite we are yet to see more of this lady.

Photo Courtesy of STYLE.COM

Lily Cole

Some refer to her as the new Kate Moss but we describe her as a lady that sticks to her principles while modeling for the top names in the world of fashion.

Following the footsteps of Iman by refusing to model for De Beers over claims that Bushmen were evicted to make way for future diamond mining in Botswana.This Stance has brought her a lot of admiration from people outside the fashion modeling community.

Wikipedia describes her as "... a model, whose trademark is her pale skin and red hair. She has been on the cover of magazines such as Vogue and Numero, and in several campaigns, including Chanel and Prada.

She has been compared to Kate Moss. Cole stopped being the spokes model for De Beers after strong lobbying from Survival International. She is currently the spokes model for Topshop, Hermès, Moschino, and Anna Sui cosmetics.

She is seen as part of a new wave of models, who have "doll-like" or "elvin" features, along with models Heather Marks and Gemma Ward. She appeared on the April 2004 cover of British Vogue with Ward, and again, this time solo, in July 2005...”


Photo courtesy of the Telegraph