We like to catch up with our favourite industry players and see what they are up to. This week we find out about how the beautiful and talented Lorna Mabuku will be representing Namibia at Angola Fashion Week.
How has 2017 been?
2017 has been a great year for me. I began the year being the face of Chopsi’s, I went on to become the face of McKane Mixers for the 2nd consecutive year, I was also named a brand influencer for Kiyomisandz and Listify Namibia thereafter while doing other projects in-between. All of these are proudly Namibian brands. Now I am going to Luanda for the first time ever, to participate in the annual Angola International Fashion Show.
The year is almost over but there is even more in store for me this year! Watch this space.
Your favorite (model) project this year?
This year, I must say that my favorite model project must be Angola International Fashion Show (AIFS). This is due to the fact that I will be representing my country as an international model over in Angola. I feel special, thankful and BLESSED.
Talk to us about Angola International Fashion Show, how’d that come about?
Angola International Fashion Show is an annual event which, in my opinion, seeks to promote Africans via a platform based on the collaboration of models, fashion designers, stylists, media, brands & sponsors from all over Africa as a form of connecting and building one another. As an African, I constantly find myself thinking about, and looking for ways in which we as Africans can break our borders and collaborate with one another. This is why AIFS speaks to me. It is not just a fashion show but is a fashion show with a great initiative & cause. It provides people like me with the platform, experience, great networking opportunity & exposure. AIFS also donates some of the funds from the ticket sales to those in need.
I heard about AIFS back in 2013 and have wanted to participate since then. Even though I learned at a very late age that I should “go after what is mine” I eventually learned this and kept “going after” what I believed was mine (AIFS in this case). Long story short; I am here today because of my ability to understand persistence, effectively.
I will be in Luanda for 1 week. I hope to do sightseeing in between rehearsals & fittings since this would be my first time in Angola. I also plan on filming a VLOG about this experience so stay tuned (Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/MsLolo01 )
I would like to say THANK YOU to my sponsors once more:
Winnie Guesthouse – A quiet, lovely and affordable guesthouse located in 9 Range Street, Pionierspark Ext.1, Windhoek.
My second sponsor is Dinelia Productions & Events which is in charge of the production of the show and is based in Angola.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my sponsors and to the Angola International Fashion Show organization.
What does that mean to you and your career?
Last year I started feeling as though there are not many modeling opportunities for me anymore since I am getting older as the years go by. AIFS solidifies to me that my career is not even at its peak yet, but that it is just starting to arrive at its peak. This is refreshing as it reminds me why I started modeling. I am not stopping anytime soon. AIFS has shown me that although I am not 19 years old anymore, I am probably becoming better with time & age and this is why I believe I am here in this point in time; I am a firm believer in timing.
Advice for aspiring models?
Modeling is not for everybody. Just because you are tall etc., does not mean that you must be a model. Try it out though; give it a chance because I always say – how would you know that something is not for you if you do not at least try it out? You owe yourself that. Try it out, if it does not work for you, try something else. If it does work for you, run with it! Whatever you decide to do, to maintain it, you should simply:
1. Believe in yourself. 2. Be persistent. 3. Never give up.
It will all be worth it, trust me.
Plans for 2018?
I plan on furthering my studies (learning is very important to me, whether formally or informally) I also plan on developing my writing skills since I enjoy writing and for the benefit of my blogging career. I also plan on writing a book one day, so this progression will come in very handy in the future.
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