Local model Natasha Harper has been nominated for the Caribbean Style and Culture, 2017 Model of the Year Award. The 23 year old model is among a list of several Caribbean designers and other participants who have been nominated for Awards in recognition for their contribution to the fashion industry in the Caribbean Region. The 2017 Caribbean Style and Culture Showcase which will be held on Saturday June 17 at the Silver Spring Civic Center in the heart of Downtown Silver Spring, Maryland, United States.Natasha was born to Guyanese parents in England, on April 2, 1993, but was raised in Guyana. Natasha was always tall for her age, and at 14 years old, her height and unique look caught the attention of Michelle Cole and Trevor Rose of Cole Facts. After hitting the runway for the first time, Natasha was soon being called to walk for other local designers, the likes of Keisha Edwards, Sonia Noel, Ryan Berkley, Randy Madray and Mwanza Glenn.
In 2013, Natasha was approached by Oronde George and Junior Kennedy, Co-owners of Traits Model Management (Guyana) and it is this that she admits was a game changer for her career. Under Kennedy’s guidance, Natahsa was able to sharpen her technique in no time. In the years since then, she has become well known regionally and has walked in shows such as the Caribbean’s premier fashion and lifestyle event, Summer Sizzle in the British Virgin Islands in 2014 and 2016. In 2014, she was also granted the unique opportunity of attending the Mercedes Benz Fashion week in New York where she walked for Cesar Galindo, Mauricio Alpizar, Kortomomolu and Edwin D’angelo. Natasha returned to the New York Fashion Week catwalk in 2015 and 2016 and walked for Guyana’s own Roger Gary as well as Laquan Smith who is known designing for the Kardashians, Rihanna and Beyoncé and several other A Class celebrities.
Her exposure in the fashion industry has also led to her developing her creative skills in clothing design and interior decorating. She hopes to one day establish her clothing line while still being known as one of Guyana’s premier models who is recognized worldwide. This goal, she says, will go hand in hand with her aspiration to be an advocate for women empowerment as she works to ensure that women receive full encouragement in achieving their goals.