THE modelling industry has been dominated by females which perpetuates the belief that males cannot enter the professional scene.
Commercial and runway model as well as entrepreneur Takudzwa George Machingura had the same belief while growing up.
In an interview with NewsDay Life & Style, Machingura said his modelling journey began in 2018 when his aunt Mary Mankola introduced him to the sector he had initially thought had no room for men.
However, challenging such gender stereotypes, discrimination and having an understanding that the industry is open to both genders, Machingura became part of the Mr Zimbabwe pageant from 2019 to 2020.
“I did not win but the pageant opened doors for me. Since then, I have done commercials with big brands such as Econet and the National Building Society, among others.” he said.
The model also pointed out that although the industry is inclusive and offers room for both genders to pursue their passion fearlessly, models generally face challenges such as cyber-bullying in online spaces.
He also added that it was crucial for models to have managers to improve the modelling industry because some companies tend to take advantage of models working alone. Machingura further encouraged aspiring and fellow models to build appealing portfolios through working with respectable brands.
The model was inspired by British actor Damson Idris who has made a name for himself both in fashion and in Hollywood best known for starring in the crime drama Snowfall and played co-lead in Netflix's 2021 sci-fi action film Outside the Wire.
- Modelling is for both genders: Machingura
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Machingura believes the sky is the limit for all aspiring male models and has urged them to keep chasing their dreams putting God first.
