... Female models, to be precise. The male models of 2012/2013 article will be posted next week!
This article serves to update the Mauritian fashion industry concerning Mauritian models, for the past year through to March 2013. You can read about the entire career of the models featured in my Models of 2011 article.
Without a certain standard, without meeting a certain level of professionalism, we are left with nothing.
Without a certain standard, without meeting a certain level of professionalism, we are left with nothing.
Without a definitive list of who is and should be considered as working as a model here, we are left with a swamp of people all claiming to be models - some are truly the case, some think they are as the result of numerous Facebook 'like' contests, or because they have a pretty face. It's not about that.
It's about your ability to transform yourself, to become something else that the concept you are working on demands of you. It's about showing the product to the best of your ability. It's about having that quality that few have.
This article serves to showcase those that I consider as models working in Mauritius today. As in 2011, I can't divide the models here into specific criteria - no-one only does bikini, or lingerie, or catalogue - but generally I consider models that are less than 1m70 to be campaign and catalogue-specific (though they occasionally are on the runway), and those that are curvier than the measurements below are considered as plus-size.
As I have said above, the models can't be divided into anything specific, so the measurements given here are general and adapted to Mauritius - If I had to conform to international standards I would be left counting the number of models on one hand.
So, to work as a model here (bikini/lingerie/fashion/runway), you should fit the following criteria:
Height: Around and greater than 1m70
Bust: Around 89 cm
Waist: Around 65 cm
Hips:Around 89 cm
It must be said that as much as I wanted to include Jasmina Ruben in this article, as she is one of the absolute best models here, she has retired from modelling and is now devoted to The Preppy Muse. She brings her own contribution to this article in helping me find the new faces for 2012/2013.
The It Girl of 2012/2013:
Sheliz Wambui
I wrote a full article on her here, already announcing her as the model of 2012/2013.
Photo: Kunal Jankee, for the In'Am by Llup campaign
Height: 1m75
Bust: 85 cm
Waist: 62 cm
Hips: 92 cm
Photo: Kunal Jankee for Obann
Photo: Kunal Jankee for the BeeJoos Autumn Campaign
2012/2013 have been huge for Sheliz. The Kenyan stunner has worked with some of the best photographers here, such as Kunal Jankee and Julien Venner, has walked in the biggest shows - Sanjeet Boolell's Aurore Borealis collection and Perry Ah Why's fashion show, to name but a few. She has appeared in Essentielle magazine, fronted the BeeJoos Autumn campaign, as well as starring in campaigns by Lionnet Fauzou, In'Am, Obann, amongst many others.
The One to Watch:
Eve Isambourg
All the photos of Eve in this article are by Karen Pang
Age: 14
Height: 1m75
Bust: 89 cm
Waist: 67 cm
Hips: 90 cm
This girl has such piercing facial expressions, such grace in her pose, and such purity in her look - it's like you just know she is going to be very successful. The photos taken of her by Karen Pang make you stop and stare - and stare some more!
The beautiful Eve is French and arrived in Mauritius late August 2011. She is the one to watch, not just for this year but for all the years to come – at only 14 years old, she is already of the height required to model internationally. She has an amazing body, the result of the amount of activities she engages in: kite surfing, ballet, surfing, triathlon, mountain biking, trail sports amongst others and also practices ballet, plays the piano and the violin.
She has already modelled as a child for French and Belgian magazines such as La Redoute and 3 Suisses. In Mauritius, she has starred in a campaign for the prestigious Touessrok hotel, and for Aca Joe. She has worked with Karen Pang and the pictures were also featured in Scope Magazine.
The Professionals
Raquel Rault
Photo: Khatleen Minerve
Height: 1m71
Bust: 89 cm
Waist: 69 cm
Hips: 89 cm
Photo: Sachin Sagar for Lifestyle Magazine February 2013. Fashion Editor: Laurent Thevenau
Raquel is the only Mauritian model to ever make five lifestyle covers and to star in the Body and Soul campaigns three times. She is also Style Mauritius' most searched person ever.
In 2012/13 she featured in a photoshoot at the C Beach Club for In'am by Ilup, starred in the Forever Young/Ibiza campaign, the Rohm Optics campaign and worked with the likes of Peter Jackson for the La Pirogue hotel campaign amongst others. She also walked for the C Beach 'Under the C Stars' fashion show.
Gwen Elle Chan
Photo: Lennart Brede
MUA: Valerie Lee
Height: 1m75
Bust: 82 cm
Waist: 58 cm
Hips: 92 cm
Red Heart by Chloe Ip
Gwen had a busy year in the time that she was in Mauritius during 2012. She starred in the In'Am by Ilup and Angsana Hotel campaigns, featured in the editorials of Lifestyle Magazine (February 2012) and Essentielle Magazine (August 2012), walked for the Bank One fashion show and Under the C Stars at the C Beach Club. She has also worked with numerous photographers, such as Lennart Brede (Germany), Khatleen Minerve, Chloe Ip, Max Anish Gowriah, Karen Pang, Brian Dean and Siddick Mohamed. Very much the photographers' muse!
Judith Rouillard
Photo: Khatleen Minerve
Height: 1m75
Bust: 79 cm
Waist: 62 cm
Hips: 85 cm
Photo: Anne-lise Ramooloo
Though currently busy with exams, Judith walked for Sanjeet Boolell's Aurore Borealis collection, has participated in a design showcase held at the Hennessy Hotel, and worked with photographers such as Jacques Rocca Serra, Shamsheed Sobha, Khatleen Minerve and Anne-lise Ramooloo. She has matured and blossomed considerably since 2011 - look at her gorgeous bone structure, as seen in the pictures above.
Katia Moochooram
Photo: Tania Saraiva
Make-up Artist: Nathalie Fong
Height: 1m69
Bust: 83 cm
Waist: 63 cm
Hips: 84 cm
Photo: Tania Saraiva
Make-up Artist: Nathalie Fong
The It Girl of 2011, she is one of the most successful Mauritian models today, and possesses such incredible magnetic beauty.
In 2012 she was on the cover and in the editorial spread of Lifestyle Magazine and Essentielle Magazine. She has appeared in numerous campaigns for brands such as Body and Soul, Fashion House, Legende Kreol, 'Icon' jewellery for Fashion Follies amongst others, and is the new face of Michel Herbelin. She walked for Sanjeet Boolell's Aurore Borealis collection, collaborated with photographers such as Kunal Jankee (Lustre) and Tania Saraiva (Beauty of Mauritius). She is also the face of 'Africa Cries', short films that are used to raise awareness of endangered animals in Africa.
In 2012 she was on the cover and in the editorial spread of Lifestyle Magazine and Essentielle Magazine. She has appeared in numerous campaigns for brands such as Body and Soul, Fashion House, Legende Kreol, 'Icon' jewellery for Fashion Follies amongst others, and is the new face of Michel Herbelin. She walked for Sanjeet Boolell's Aurore Borealis collection, collaborated with photographers such as Kunal Jankee (Lustre) and Tania Saraiva (Beauty of Mauritius). She is also the face of 'Africa Cries', short films that are used to raise awareness of endangered animals in Africa.
Janita Deerpaul
Height: 1m73
Bust: 85 cm
Waist: 66 cm
Hips: 94 cm
There is an undeniable exotic charm to Janita, one that consistently appeals. She has been on the cover of Energie Magazine and Essentielle Magazine (appearing in Essentielle twice in 2012), has walked for the fashion show of the Fashion and Design Institute, the Floreal Knitwear Fashion Show, the Fashion TV Show, Sanjeet Boolell's Aurore Borealis collection, the Fashionation Show (featuring Sweetie Ramlagun, Samuel Yeung and Alexandra Juglall) and currently fronts the Poncini campaign.
Laetitia Sauzier
Photo: Sachin Sagar, for Sanjeet Boolell
Height: 1m 73
Bust: 84 cm
Waist: 60 cm
Hips: 89 cm
Laetitia Darche, now Sauzier, is one of the most in demand models working today, and in 2012/2013 she has appeared in Essentielle twice (the editorial spread for Possal by Sweetie Ramlagun, and for a shoe-centred spread), was featured in the Denim Roots campaign, as well as that for Rhom glasses and Fashion House. She famously starred in the editorial spread for Cosmopolitan India at the beginning of 2012.
She has appeared in a video for the prestigious Royal Palm hotel and the Face of Prince Maurice international campaign, and has walked in numerous fashion shows such as that of Floreal Knitwear, the SAFIRE fashion show, the Annees 20 fashion show for the opening of La Traviata, Billabong, Tafta, Fashionation, Sanjeet Boolell's Aurore Borealis fashion show, Essentielle's Pin-Up fashion show and the C Beach Club Beach Party fashion show.
She has appeared in a video for the prestigious Royal Palm hotel and the Face of Prince Maurice international campaign, and has walked in numerous fashion shows such as that of Floreal Knitwear, the SAFIRE fashion show, the Annees 20 fashion show for the opening of La Traviata, Billabong, Tafta, Fashionation, Sanjeet Boolell's Aurore Borealis fashion show, Essentielle's Pin-Up fashion show and the C Beach Club Beach Party fashion show.
The Rising Stars
Some are more experienced than others, all are making a name for themselves. In about a year, depending on the amount and quality of modelling jobs available, most will have graduated to professional level.
Emily Bauluck
Photo: Khatleen Minerve
Height: 1m71
Bust: 82 cm
Waist: 69 cm
Hips: 88cm
Photo: Khatleen Minerve
There is a very sensual element to this woman, and it works so well on camera and on the runway. Emilie, who works with the Gold Models Agency, has booked all the major jobs in 2012/2013: she has walked for the Bank One Fashion Show back in 2012, for Floreal Knitwear, and for numerous designers such as Samuel Yeung, Sweetie Ramlagun, Sanjeet Boolell (Aurore Borealis collection), as well as for the fashion show of the Fashion and Design Institute, the Pin-Up Fashion Show of Essentielle Magazine, and the fashion show of the C Beach Club Beach Party. She has also participated in photo shoots for Remington, Nana, Aima Dora lingerie amongst others.
Delphine Dholah
Photo: Khatleen Minerve
Height: 1m69
Bust: 78 cm
Waist: 60 cm
Hips: 87 cm
Photo: Khatleen Minerve
She has incredible bone structure – and those eyes! I doubt many have ever seen eyes of bright liquid gold.
She has worked with the photographer Khatleen Minerve on many occasions, and has also collaborated with Max Gowriah and Tony Cla. She has featured in En Mode Magazine and in an editorial for Lifestyle Magazine, and has featured in campaigns for Coco Millen, Fashion House, Fabindia and Cinnamon. She has walked for Sanjeet Boolell’s Aurore Borealis collection, the SAFIRE show, for Sweetie Ramlagun’s 77 collection and also for Alexandra Juglall’s debut fashion show last year.
Yoshina Ranjaya
Forever Young Campaign, photo: Vidour Nunkoo
Height: 1m69
Bust: 76 cm
Waist: 65 cm
Hips: 87 cm
Black Widow: Photo Brian Dean
Yoshina has gorgeous bone structure: very feline, with delicate high, thin cheekbones. She started modelling back in 2010, coached by David Stafford and Karen Nicolini, and since then has walked for fashion designers such as Lida O'Reilly, Perry Ah Why and Sanjeet Boolell. She stars in the latest campaign for Forever Young/ Ibiza.
Gabriella Chan Sin
Photo: Khatleen Minerve
Height: 1m70
Bust: 80 cm
Waist: 63 cm
Hips: 92 cm
Photo: Khatleen Minerve
Gabriella is fierce - she has the same vibrant power in her look as in 2011.
In 2012/2013 Gabrielle worked with photographers such as Khatleen Minerve, Sylvian Sebille, Joel Capillaire, and has also walked for numerous brands such as Billabong, Habit, Mademoiselle Boutique, Cotton Blanc, IV Play, Tendances, GUESS, ALDO, Levis and for the designer Gaelle Breulu amongst others.
In 2012/2013 Gabrielle worked with photographers such as Khatleen Minerve, Sylvian Sebille, Joel Capillaire, and has also walked for numerous brands such as Billabong, Habit, Mademoiselle Boutique, Cotton Blanc, IV Play, Tendances, GUESS, ALDO, Levis and for the designer Gaelle Breulu amongst others.
The Campaign/Catalogue/Print-focussed Models
These are the women who, although considerably smaller than the models on this list, are very successful as they are fantastic during shoots and in print. So photogenic, very enviable.
Angelique d'Hotman de Villiers
OGEM
Height: 1m65
Chest: 82 cm
Waist: 66 cm
Hips: 94 cm
Photo: Frederic Melotte for Hope
It's amazing how a delicate elfin-like face paired with big doe eyes works so beautifully well on camera.
Angelique Descroizilles, now d'Hotman de Villiers, has starred in campaigns for Ogem jewellery, Fashion House and Ronde et Belle, and has also featured alongside her sisters in the Defi Life Magazine. She is also a HOPE ambassador (Ravior).
Annelise Nuteau
Reactive Studio
Height: 1m 64 cm
Chest: 82 cm
Waist: 68cm
Hips: 81cm
Helios Campaign
Doll-like, capable of transforming herself on camera from the height of innocence to sensual seductiveness, Anne-lise has always been in demand when it comes to campaigns over the years. She is familiar to many for her role as brand ambassador for Remington products and is also currently fronting the Helios sunglasses campaign.
The New Faces
Some have just started working as models, others have been here for a while but in 2012/2013 have truly started to shine. Here are the new faces; take note!
Vanessa Hardy
Photo: Karen Pang
Height: 1m 65
Bust: 90 cm
Waist: 68 cm
Hips: 91 cm
Photo: Khatleen Minerve
Vanessa has a very earthly, sensual, retro-glamorous beauty to her. She has worked with Khatleen Minerve and Karen Pang, and has recently represented The Preppy Muse - where she was the quintessentially perfect pin-up girl.
Kelly Rousset
Photo: Hubert Rouillard
Height: 1m68
Bust: 85 cm
Waist: 68 cm
Hips: 87 cm
Photo: Hubert Rouillard
Kelly really made her debut into the modelling industry this year, and is one to look out for. She has walked for the Out of Africa fashion show, the Coco loco fashion show, Fashionation (featuring Samuel Yeung, Sweetie Ramlagun, Alexandra Juglall), Perry Ah Why amongst others, and has appeared in Essentielle Magazine.
Melanie-Ann Martingale
Height: 1m80
Bust: 84 cm
Waist: 71 cm
Hips: 88 cm
Superbly leggy with a fierce, intense look.
Melanie has already appeared in Essentielle and Lifestyle Magazine, and I predict that she will be walking the runways very soon.
Ophelie de Chalain
Height: 1m65
Bust: 85 cm
Waist: 66 cm
Hips: 95 cm
Photo: Kunal Jankee
Photo: Julie de Chalain
Angelic, Brigitte Bardot-esque Ophelie starred in In'Am by Llup's 2012 Architextures campaign. I'm expecting that she will be the face of a couple of designer brands soon.
Victoria Catteaux
Photo: Karen Pang
Height: 1m70
Bust: 89 cm
Waist: 66 cm
Hips: 90 cm
Photo: Khatleen Minerve for Coco Millen
Victoria has beautifully delicate, feline features and will make an excellent fashion model - she already has starred in a campaign for Coco Millen, has appeared in Essentielle magazine and has worked with brilliant photographers such as Karen Pang, Khatleen Minerve and Anne-lise Ramooloo.
Apeksha Boodhoo
Photo: Sachin Sagar. Fashion Editor: Laurent Thevenau
Height: 1m67
Bust: 85 cm
Waist: 62 cm
Hips: 89 cm
Photo: Sachin Sagar. Fashion Editor: Laurent Thevenau
This article ties in well with her major debut - the cover and editorial spread of the March issue of Lifestyle Magazine. The 21 year-old has previously worked with Sachin Sagar, and has also starred in a campaign for Fabindia. I'm predicting that she'll appear in more magazines and campaigns very soon!
xoxo
Alex
Email: stylemauritius@live.com
Twitter: @StyleMauritius or @Alex_W_Isaacs
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