Traits Model Management – Upsetting the status quo
Mercene DeAbreu (sitting) and Shameka Jones. (Photo and Makeup by Clinton Duncan)
Mercene DeAbreu (sitting) and Shameka Jones. (Photo and Makeup by Clinton Duncan)

By Shauna Jemmott
Photos by Traits Model Management
Riding high on fashion waves with models blazing New York catwalks in big name designer clothing, Georgetown’s Traits Model Management has launched above hurdles and is making a name for itself as well as its models.In just a year since the agency’s launch, four of its twenty models have made it internationally to high profiled fashion shows at the New York Fashion Week (NYFW) last month.

Tiffani Bonner (Makeup by Clinton Duncan)
Tiffani Bonner (Makeup by Clinton Duncan)

Showstopper Delicia Archer landed a contract with New York’s Aim Model Management, graced pages in British Vogue in a Malan Breton gown, and secured the coveted ‘Cosmo Girl ‘ spot in Cosmo Magazine for being the only black model in the world selected by designer Anne Bowen to model her Spring Summer creations this year. She was also spotted in Glamor, another popular fashion and beauty magazine, and selected by several big name designers to showcase their garb.
Kanye West “Yeezy” showcase which created a stir and controversy because the designer just showed up with his pieces, also featured the Guyanese girl. And according to Manager Orande George, she was properly compensated for her debut appearance.

Natasha Harper (Makeup by Clinton Duncan)
Natasha Harper (Makeup by Clinton Duncan)

Natasha Harper, the agency’s first signed model was also present. Though Harper was recalled to British Virgin Islands (BVI) Fashion week this year again, she chose to refuse because bigger callings were on the other side of the world for her. New York Fashion Week (NYFW) designers loved her too and she landed several jobs.
Kimberly Sattaur and reigning Miss Guyana Talented Teen Reesa Sooklall also did a lot of high profile fashion shows.
Traits Model Management, with which the models are contracted, boasts of its accomplishments and announced that an international fashion gala awards is organized for December in Guyana to honor the accomplishments of designers and models.

Xameira Kippins (Makeup by Clinton Duncan)
Xameira Kippins (Makeup by Clinton Duncan)

Renowned overseas designer Roger Gary and several others from New York Fashion Week are expected to blend their creations with Guyana’s leading designers to make the show a truly international and colourful one.

Traits’ Guyana-based Managing Director Oronde George said a top-of-the line show is also scheduled for October 29 at Aura Lounge where the fashions of Mwanza Glenn, Kesha Edwards, Randy Madray, That Look, Street Stylz boutique and Veron Kee Fashions will be on showcase.
He gave credit to the work of Harper at the BVI show which he said was responsible for the New York fashion networking. The BVI show was their first assignment,

Tariq Dakhil
Tariq Dakhil

and their journey already shows that they are headed for the skies.
Though Traits targets every level – local, regional and international – on the fashion market, they have been catching the eyes of the international seekers.

“In terms of jobs, we’ve been getting more traffic internationally,” he stated.
“The level that we want to go to, I don’t think the local fashion market would embrace it,” he further stated.
TMM6Locally, the agency has done shows, commercials, posters, charity, clean-up campaigns and health assignments, including a domestic violence walk across the Demerara Harbor Bridge with Roger Gary.
The agency is inviting hopefuls with an interest in commercial, editorial, runway, pageantry or other modelling for casting.
He said that fashion has moved away from the concept of models being only pretty face girls, but instead they are seeking males and females ages 16 to 24 with that outstanding look.
“It’s not about looking for a commercially beautiful woman, it’s about uniqueness.”
“We are very meticulous about what we do and we only want do the best of anything,” he said.

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