18/08/2020
KAONE KARIO BRINGS MODEL COACHING HOME
After becoming Nokia Face of Africa, Kaone Kario has been making strides in international markets and has become a force to be reckoned with in the modelling industry.
The model has been signing deals left, right and centre with big brands such as Nivea, making it to billboards and television ads both locally and internationally. The petite beauty has made a decision to pay it forward by shaping and shining the rough diamonds that lay hidden within the modelling industry in the country.
For many years now models have been crying foul about the conditions in the industry. While only a few are finding breakthroughs, the majority of them are still fighting hard to make it as well as have a well-defined career and profile. “I am proud to announce that in association with Creative Chaos and Mos Syde Worldwide Entertainment Group, I will be hosting a modelling workshop across Botswana at a date to be announced soon.
The purpose of the workshop is to use my professional experience in modelling to coach aspiring models on how to build a rewarding and sustainable career as a professional model. I am looking forward to engaging with you as we build our local modelling industry,” she said on her page.
In an interview with WeekendLife, the Chief Editor of African Vogue, who is known for working closely with local models, Raymond Geofrey, said he is glad that Kario is coming into the picture as she will help to shape local models. “This is actually interesting because this is the first time she will be doing something like this.
She has never really had workshops in Botswana. I am hoping she will be able to open up about her journey in the modelling industry and also share some insights into how models from Botswana can ultimately get booked for jobs in cities like New York,” he said.
Having spent a significant amount of time working with local models, Geofrey admits that the industry still has a long way to go as models are still struggling with the basics of modelling, which is a great concern. “The main issue is branding power. Most models don’t invest time and resources in building a brand for themselves.
Most of them also don’t understand that there is a real art to modelling. Modelling is a job, it’s a business and most models in Botswana are not running themselves as a business. They lack the basic knowledge and information about modelling. Models need to learn to research and investigate their craft and business,” he said.
“A lot of models lack the requirements needed, like updated Zcard and measurements. A lot of them are using old images for castings on their Zcards. Some don’t even have Zcards and Lookbooks. Most models are not using social media to market themselves. The content they put up online is not reputable or presentable.
The working conditions for models in Botswana is a joke. Models are forced to compete for jobs in Botswana where they get paid very little and their payments come after months sometimes after a year and the condition they work in are not okay at all.”
By Keamogetse Mokone, WeekendLife, Weekend Post (Botswana)
