Two rising East London stars seized the opportunity to showcase their talents to international audiences and walked away winners.
Singer Josh Hayes, 20, from Stirling, snagged the coveted award for the overall best male singer at the International Modelling and Talent Agency Competition (IMTA) in New York.
Designer Yemihle Ndadlana, 24, from Mdantsane has been invited to showcase his collection as part of the Fashion Week-Studio (FWS) runway at Paris Fashion week later in September.
Both have been working with powerhouse Chantel Pillay from TC Model Management Agency.
Hayes travelled to New York after cracking the nod at auditions in Johannesburg, where all seven judges had to say “yes” to take him to the rounds held in the US.
I prepared for nine months and competed in three categories, singing, modelling and acting. I was training three hours a day for the IMTA Convention. It was crazy
“I prepared for nine months and competed in three categories, singing, modelling and acting,” he said.
“I was training three hours a day for the IMTA Convention. It was crazy.”
Hayes said the aim of the four-day convention had been for participants to be able to network with some of America’s top agencies at one of the largest modelling conventions in the world.
“You want to bank callbacks and get meetings with the top professionals in the industry.”
After multiple qualifying rounds, Hayes move through to the finals and sang Half a Man by Dean Lewis in front of more than 3,000 people and 300 judges.
“I had to get a ‘yes’ from two judges at the tertiary round, then to qualify for the finals — 22 judges. Only five people qualified from my group of more than 100 people.”
Hayes said he was getting a US work visa and had received seven major offers and invitations to sign with two LA agencies, attend a performing arts school and work with a producer from Chicago.
“I don’t do this for the fame or fortune,” he said.
“I love to perform and just want to spend my life on the stage. It’s like I’m living in a dream.”
Before my mother died she was also a fashion designer. My collection pays homage to her, to my ancestors, thanking them for being with me to keep going
Ndadlana, whom Hayes has modelled for at various TC events, started making clothing in 2016 and said his passion for fashion had been inherited from his mother.
“Before my mother died she was also a fashion designer,” he said.
“My collection pays homage to her, to my ancestors, thanking them for being with me to keep going.
“This is a mix of ancient culture and modern streetwear. I operate at home, I buy fabric, I cut my patterns and sew everything.”
Ndadlana applied with his brand HEADBANDPAPI (HBP) to be a part of the Fashion Week Studio walk during Paris Fashion Week, where international designers have the opportunity to showcase their clothing in front of major fashion publications like Elle and Marie-Claire at the end of September.
“I took a leap of faith,” he said.
“I met designer Sonwabile Ndamase at the TC Met Gala event and he told me he had been invited to go and showcase his clothes with FWS, so I went to their website and applied to participate.
“I got a positive response and they officially invited me.”
Ndadlana said the launch of his online clothing story and Instagram presence had been the catalyst for the invitation and he was the only East London designer accepted.
“At first I couldn’t believe it, but when they sent the official invitation I said there’s no way this is real. I thought I’m not being seen in my own city, maybe they will see me overseas.”
The biggest challenge was the exorbitant entry fee, which is R150,000.
“I’ve been sending funding requests to certain government departments and even brands like Mr Price, but they didn’t respond.
“But even though I might not be able to go to Paris, I might be able to show at their other events in Milan or New York next year.”
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