Strut It Afrika Taking East Africa by Storm

There’s a new fashion movement in town - Strut It Afrika. The agency is much more than a model management business; it’s a brand with personality. The founders (former models, who still look like models) literally assembled the fashion industry’s young, popular models to be a part of the Strut It Afrika team. Founded by 24-year-old Malaika Nyansi and 26-year-old Moses Mukiibi (both Ugandan), a beauty pageant stint in 2009 inspired them to establish the company.

Strut It Afrika’s models are “It” personalities. “Charisma, personality – you’re more than a model”, Malaika states before narrating the company’s beginnings wistfully. “When [Moses and I] came to Kenya we came for school, some friends and my boyfriend at the time managed to convince me to contest for the Mr. and Miss USIU [beauty pageant]. I said I’m not doing this by myself, I forced [Moses] to do it as well.” Moses won the 2009 Mr. USIU title, while Malaika clinched the First Runners up Miss USIU crown. “From that day people noticed us and we kept getting called for job after job. I eventually left for Japan for about a year. Before I left we had talked about starting something like this. [Moses] set the ball rolling then when I came back I joined him and we proceeded with it.” The agency has to date scouted models in Kenya, Rwanda,Burundi, Ethiopia and Uganda, some of who participated in the inaugural Strut It Afrika Fashion Week this year. Held between September 28th and October 5th at various city venues including: Imax Cinema, Shift Eye Gallery and Westhouse; the event merged elements of fashion, art, music and dance. “We wanted to create a different experience.” There were 15 designers from Burundi, Uganda and Kenya who showcased their designs and collections.

 

 

An important requirement at the agency is a 6’0 foot prerequisite for men while women must be well toned. They currently represent 30 models including top Kenyan male model, Joe Kisila, the 6’0 man with razor-sharp good looks. Strut It’s other gem is model Sharon Kaari, her hard-to-miss smoldering gaze has made her popular with many. Among other high profile events that under Strut It’s belt this year include the Nairobi Fashion Market, Absolut Fashion and the launch of Zara Fashion Line in Kenya by Deacons Kenya Limited; where apart from having their models strut it, they also organized, managed and produced the runway shows. “People don’t seem to realize is that this is a career”, notes Malaika. Nevertheless, Strut It Afrika is fast becoming a symbol of young entrepreneurship and the undisputed face of East Africa’s coolest modeling agency.

For more info on the agency and recruitment, log onto the Facebook Page: Strut It Afrika.

 

By Josephine Opar