By Gboko Stewart, gboko@journalrage.org
Monrovia-When November Cole walked into a hall to audition as a model for the Runway Liberia fashion show 2017, it did not occur to him he would be chosen automatically without cat-walking for the judges.
“It was the first audition I went for,” he says. “When I went for the audition, it was so funny—the lady saw me and told me ‘go on the other side, don’t walk. I started arguing with her why I shouldn’t walk and she said the reason was she already saw me walking when I was entering.”
That was a wakeup moment for Cole, 23, as he hasn’t looked back ever since. The 5’9’ slender and lanky model, who also studies sociology and criminal justice at the United Methodist University, has since strutted many runways, showcasing the apparels of several Liberian designers.
“I’ve showcased for so many designers – Alieu Bah, Nani and I’m the only male model at Jojo 2 best. I did a magazine shoot for Ghana Runway Fashion show—I was the only selected model from Liberia.”
But strutting the runway also has its own rules and it is one which Cole says he’d learn early on. “Some designers are very harsh—you should walk in their clothes the way they want you to walk in their clothes. Due to your structure, some designers discriminate also.”
Cole says working with some designers can be difficult as it can be when doing a fitting. “A designer from Ghana told me I could not walk in his clothes because I don’t have six-packs,” he says.
However, it’s a live and let live moment when he lands on the runway. “I add sauce on the runway. I’m free when I’m on the runway and can cut up and carry on to entertain my audience—being on the runway is fun.”
Stacking two years of experience under his belt, Cole has opened his modeling agency, found time to serve as a fashion instructor at Chrisetta Beauty Institute and regularly trains pageantry contestants.
“It’s already opened and my first audition will be at Millennium Guest House this September. I don’t’ want my agency to be ordinary—the motto for my agency is ‘walk with brains.’ I want intelligent people in my agency; it’s not going to be all about modeling, it’s going to be about talk shows, charity, etc.”
For the foreseeable future, Cole says the horizon looks brighter and he’s optimistic he about landing a deal to be the face of the Millennium Guest House Suites.
Cole says working with some designers can be difficult as it can be when doing a fitting.
A designer from Ghana told me I could not walk in his clothes because I don’t have six-packs.”
I’ve showcased for so many designers – Alieu Bah, Nani and I’m the only male model at Jojo 2 best. I did a magazine shoot for Ghana Runway Fashion show—I was the only selected model from Liberia.”
I don’t’ want my agency to be ordinary—the motto for my agency is ‘walk with brains.’ I want intelligent people in my agency; it’s not going to be all about modeling, it’s going to be about talk shows, charity, etc.”
Some designers are very harsh – you should walk in their clothes the way they want you to walk in their clothes.”
Due to you structure some designers discriminate also.”