When the going gets tough… Get Tougher!

When we think of a model we generally have this perception that they just randomly landed their dream job, being this big time supermodel whom we see grace the covers of ELLE ,Glamour or Cosmo or those we see working it on the runways wearing the likes of David Tlale & Gert-Johan Coetzee.The “Work less ,Play Hard” perception we have is pretty jaded come to think of all the information we lack regarding what these generally stunning creature’s actually do. Tumi Monare , a 22 year-old model under Zo-Har Model Management in Johannesburg - South Africa ( Tumi, who might I add is a close friend of mine ) says that its not all moonshine and roses. She recalls her 1st encounter with modelling as something that she dreamt of but had a Bittersweet side. “I always had a passion for Fashion, took great interest in Fashion Magazines and constantly followed up on my great fashion icons !” Says Tumi giggling at the thought of her dreams finally being a reality. She admired models by the likes of Kimora Lee Simmons , Chanelle Iman and Naomi Campbell just to name a few. The instant high most women feel when in front of the camera is amazing but can also be as daunting as the thought of being home alone at night,its frightening but becomes natural as you go along,the statement “either you have it or you don’t” plays a big role and snaps reality into far fetched dreams of some young aspiring models. Like Any career modelling is tough,hardcore ,cut throat and just plain brutal when it comes to the truth. Its no easy way to the top .Tumi recalls having to be consistent in her quest and becoming so thick skinned that no rejection could ever let her back down from her goals. Regardless of turn downs , rejections and losing hope there was always a silver lining to each chapter. She soldiered on and entered Miss South Africa in the year 2010 where she got to the Quarter finals and was 1 of the 2 girls that were selected to represent the North West province in the pageant. One thing that Tumi has learnt is that hard work and persistence does in fact pay off “I’ve been turned down, I’ve signed up with messed up agencies and dealt with unprofessional agents that still owe me payments even though I did my part and delivered work which the clients were happy with! Its a constant hustle, there’s always someone taller than you, sexier than you, younger than you,but one thing you have to do is believe in yourself and just do it”, says Tumi. Its not about who’s better than you its about how you climb your way to the top. Modelling is a struggle in SA as height requirements restrict many girls that have amazing potential to do well but can’t because they’re either too short or rather “curvy”! In the end its really not about what you think of yourself,but what others think of you,that’s the sad reality of agents , agencies and your overall self image that’s portrayed to society. Tumi Monare now proudly boasts as the new face of SUDBURY HILL ,a line of botanical body & Skin products , A total Beauty with a Law & Politics degree behind her name, we surely shouldn’t mess with her! This girl is surely going places . Remember With every cloud comes a silver lining! Ladies this just proves to keep going keep fighting and keep believing as Success is earned not just passed on! xoxoxo Style By Zen Zenobe Fredericks