By Daniel Haynes
IN the last two years, the amount of models on the local scene has increased by 100%, with females and males from the ages of 15-23 clamouring to an industry that’s finding new life. This boom has been contributed to by social media providing access into the lives of international models and the introduction of newcomer, Traits Model Management (TMM).
However, the question is: Is modelling just another trend? Are models just a pretty face? It seems as if every other day, a new “model” creeps onto the Facebook or Instagram scene, and fits the stereotype.
However one agency is striving to change the image of models and what they are about: Trait’s Model Management

TRAITS
The Traits Model Management, or just Traits, that Guyanese have come to know was officially registered as a business in April 2014. However, long before that date, Traits was proverbially “in the works” when Hugh O. George approached fellow college graduate, Junior Kennedy.
Hugh O. George is an established and respected Guyanese entrepreneur; Junior Kennedy is a former signed model in New York. The two had a lot to talk about, with most of the discussion focussing on the shortcomings of the modelling industry in Guyana.
“We had several discussions on Guyana having a lot of potential but just not a bridge to cross between potential and opportunity and how we could build a bridge to cross the gap.” Provide that bridge they did; since their inception Traits has been providing opportunities for models to take part in International Fashion shows. The Traits difference isn’t just the fact that they have had models take part in New York Fashion Weekend or even one model signed to a New York agency, but the simple fact that they have models sign written contracts. Something that sounds as simple as simple as having a written contract speaks to the professionalism of a “baby agency”.

BREAKING THE BARRIER
In Guyana, the biggest obstacle to modelling is the stereotype of just being a pretty face with no substance with many models thinking it is a career. This stereotype has been plaguing the industry not just with the latest boom of model wannabes but long before. “From the time these models are signed at Traits we tell them that modelling is just a hobby. Few of you will make it a career and this is something that shouldn’t define your existence.” Something else Traits brings to the table is the way they redefine commercial beauty with the diversity their models have. Traits features models from all the ethnicities Guyana has. “We have models that don’t fit what people thinks a model should look like…. Before it was just one look, one standard, but now fashion and style is changing and so are we.” The agency takes what it is doing seriously and offers a number of services including commercial, editorial and high fashion modelling to advertisement for print and television as well as brand ambassadors. Traits’ models are groomed and trained to the highest levels of preparedness. “A lot of people think it’s just a pretty face that makes a model but that’s not the case, we train models to walk the runway, pose for shoots, develop their unique sense of style because that’s all fashion is about, a sense of style.”

TRAITS’ GIRL
It’s hard to mention everything that Traits is doing on the local and international scene without talking about one of Traits treasures: Delesa Archer.
Standing at 5’ 11”, this Guyanese-born beauty is a commanding figure that embodies the spirit of Traits.
Delesa Archer was born November 28, 1995 and at 20 years old, the former student of President’s College is capturing the world’s attention. Delesa, currently studying at the University of Guyana, is a signed model to Traits Model Management Guyana, as well as AIM Model Management in New York.
She has participated in fashion shows locally as well as on the international scene. Delesa first hit the international runway at New York Fashion Weekend in September 2015 where she strutted her stuff in shows for music mogul Kanye West and renowned designer Anne Bowen. Now quickly a rising star and an international success, Delesa is back and forth between Guyana and New York. She has recently participated at New York Fashion Weekend 2016 in shows for Gypsy Sport Fall Ready to wear collection Jerome by Jerome LaMaar and Padram Karimi.