Sheliz Wambui

Remember the Fashion Photography Contest last year? The incredibly talented Max Anish Gowriah won ( I posted about it here). I remember seeing those images, revelling in the brilliance of them, and also wondering who is that girl? Why haven't I seen her before?

I introduced her as Mercy (her real name), though she goes by professionally as Sheliz. 

Sheliz Wambui, from Kenya, is Mauritius' great addition to the modelling industry, bringing it up to a whole new standard. She has everything - the measurements, the height, and such ethereal grace in her pose, such power in her facial expressions. This is the model of 2012/2013.

Campaign for Obann, by Anastasia Ramlall

Photographer: Kunal Jankee

Assistant Photographer: Arvind Mattadeen

Stylist: Anastasia Ramlall

Make-up: Nadia de Robillard

The movement, the expression - radiating power - look at her face. It's like she embodies the spirit of the clothes and transcends them at the same time, she looks divine. She imbues the clothes and the campaigns with incredible energy.

Campaign: Perry Ah Why (Mauritian born designer established in Paris)

Photographer: Julien Venner (Pixel In the Box)

Sheliz Wambui was born and raised in Central Province, Kenya, twenty-six years ago.

So how did she get to Mauritius? Well lucky for us, she got married and relocated here in January 2012!

Sheliz has been modelling since July 2012 and has been an instant hit with designers and photographers, who understood immediately that she could lend enormous power to their work. 

That, and from what I've understood from our email exchanges, she has been such a hit because she is an absolute sweetheart. Not in the slightest way a diva. The best type of model.

She has modelled for BeeJoos, Lionnet Fauzou, Obann, Perry Ah Why, Sanjeet Boolell amongst others, as you will see from the photos below. 

She describes her life as a model in Mauritius so far as "amazing" - back home, she only used to do photoshoots, whereas here she also walks down the runway. 

"I have been able to interact with different kinds of people from all walks of life, adjusting to different cultures, and staying away from home has taught me new things. Modelling in Mauritius has shaped and sharpened my career, and I’ll always be grateful for the new experience. Mauritians are lovely and their hospitality is great, even though I am miles away from home I have this feeling that this is my home too, and I’ll never regret coming here."

I told you she was a sweetheart.

Her plans for the future are to continue modelling, and to work internationally: "I know I have what it takes." There can be no doubt about that.

This is one of the photos taken by Max Gowriah for the Fashion Photography Contest:

Measurements:

Height: 1m75 

Bust: 85cm

Waist: 62cm

Hips: 92cm

BeeJoos Campaign

Photographer: Kunal Jankee

Fashion Show for the opening of Festival Opera Mauritius.

Photos: Fabien Dubessay

Outfit created by Anne-lise Wong and Heidi Mucktoom

Outfit created by Insheera Ramjan

In Essentielle Magazine

Fashion House Campaign

In'Am by Llup Campaign "Sous Le Soleil Exactement"

Photographer: Kunal Jankee

Campaign for Lionnet & Fauzou

Photographer: Julien Venner

Campaign for Nokia 808 Pureview

Photographer: Kunal Jankee

Sanjeet Boolell: Aurora Borealis Fashion Show

Photographer: Fabien Dubessay

I let the pictures talk for themselves. I'm sure you understand how valuable she is to Mauritius - she will push the work produced up to a whole new level.

Talking about a whole new level, Raquel Rault has never looked as good as she has in the latest issue of Lifestyle. Shot by Sachin Sagar at Eureka, and styled by Laurent Theveneau, this is the best she has ever looked and probably ever modelled. Laurent excellently produced mood, depth and feeling in these photos which are flooded with sensuality - perfectly styled. The content of Lifestyle Magazine has improved tremendously since he joined the team as fashion editor.

And that's it for Mauritian fashion for this week! I'll probably be posting on Tuesday too, so watch out for that.

Finally, to all the Durham students out there, you should seriously buy one of Katja Garson's origami paper cranes - they bring good luck, and are such a beautiful addition to anyone's room! The proceeds will go to fund her charity trip to India. There are also other intricate origami pieces you can find here.

xoxo

Alex

Email: Stylemauritius@live.com

BeeJooS + NYFW

(Yes, I know, I didn't say that I would be posting today. I'm also posting on Friday. Thing is, there is so much material coming through, so much stuff to write about, I can't pack it in one ultra long post!)

You probably know BeeJooS through Kunal Jankee's stunning work for their Fall collection:

It's travel meets fashion, blended with ethics. BeeJooS (Aborigine for jewellery) sells jewellery sourced from around the world online on their website www.beejoos.com. They offer the most wonderfully intricate, eclectic, sensational statement pieces you could want, made by local artisans and emerging designers (so by buying their products, you are supporting them, which is awesome!) But that's not all: the company also donates a portion of their revenue to the local charities that tackle the important issues facing the communities where these artisans come from.

(Now, who is this gorgeous model on the three photos above? Who is this woman who has such power to her facial expressions, such grace in her pose, such a stunning figure? Her name is Sheliz Wambui. And this Friday, I have a whole article dedicated to her. I can't believe the local press hasn't caught on yet, though the fashion industry certainly has. Anyway, you will be the first to truly know who she is, what she does and who she has worked for, here on Style Mauritius)

As I said, statement pieces.

Moving on to New York Fashion Week, where the Fall/Winter 2013/2014 collections are going on full force at the moment! Here are some of the key looks showcased by the designers so far. All photos from Style.com.

Michael Kors, sporty and athletic as ever - is that a mesh panel skirt? It reminds me of the sport luxe trend that is still on a roll from 2011 onwards.

Peter Som - luxe sweaters now are a winter staple.

Narciso Rodriguez and that slipdress!

Oscar de la Renta - though John Galliano is designer-in-residence at the brand, his influence is certainly felt in the pieces showcased. I hope he returns to fashion in his own right soon, clean and sober.

Elie Tahari - very streamlined, very athletic.

Naeem Khan - glamour at its finest. He really does the most sumptuous pieces, more celebrities should be wearing him at the Oscars.

Jenny Packham is another designer who creates dream pieces.

Rodarte - it's not exactly an 80s throwback, though you wish the 80s looked this good.

Vera Wang - Colours of Fall

Marc by Marc Jacobs - 70s sexy

How can you not want the edgy, oh-so-apparently-easy sophistication of The Row?

Take note of Victoria Beckham's outfits for fall - you have to love the chic styling. And I think that's another athletic piece we have here...

And you know that the cool girls wear Theyskens' Theory

Thakoon - "summer captured and stoppered."

The ultimate Rag&Bone woman. Look at the coat!

Prabal Gurung's modern-day Amazon goddess.

It's casual textured luxe at Philosophy

Monique Lhuillier's dresses are always on the red carpet for a reason. It's her signature.

Jason Wu - "Extreme Femininity"

Helmut Lang - the prints!the tailoring!

Carolina Herrera and her 1940's women.

Altuzarra and his Carine-Roitfeld-chic cool.

The asymmetrical shearling lapels are going to be an instant trend, at 3.1 Phillip Lim

Such covetable capes at Derek Lam

xoxo

Alex

stylemauritius@live.com