Somalia's Iman, one of the world's premier supermodels, is set to jet into Lagos to help select the M-Net Face of Africa 2010 at the glittering live finale on February 6 (19:00 CAT on M-Net). She will share the enviable task of selecting Africa's next catwalk superstar with a team of experienced judges from across the continent, including inaugural Face of Africa winner Oluchi.
Iman began her career in 1975 as a model.The daughter of an African Diplomat, Iman was born in Somalia and grew up speaking five languages.She studied political science at Nairobi University where she was discovered by legendary photographer Peter Beard.She is muse to fashion designers including YVES. St. Laurent, Versace,
Calvin Klein and Donna Karan.During her 14 years as a model, she worked with top photographers Helmut Newton, Richard Avedon, Irving Penn and
Annie Liebovitz.Iman is founder and CEO of IMAN Cosmetics, Skincare and Fragrances, a beauty company that created the first cosmetics and skincare collection designed for women of all skin colours. IMAN Cosmetics, Skincare and Fragrances are sold throughout the world including the United States,Canada, UK, France, Brazil, Africa and the Caribbean.In addition to running a global beauty company, Iman is actively involved in several charities, including The Childrens Defense Fund, For all Kids Foundation, and Action Against Hunger.Being named as M-Net's inaugural Face of Africa established Oluchi as one
of the most sought after faces in the business and she remains one of the busiest New York-based female models in fashion today. Within a year of
winning Face of Africa, Oluchi achieved what few African models before her had done - she moved to New York and made an immediate connection with the
world of art and beauty. Renowned photographer Steven Meisel captured her image for powerhouse publications Vogue and Elle and before long, the
young Nigerian beauty was gracing international catwalks for the likes of John Galliano, Ralph Lauren and Giorgio Armani.Her current portfolio includes work for Clinique and L'Oréal make-up,
Victoria's Secret, H&M, Lancome, Cadillac,Macy's, Gianfranco Ferre,Bergdorf Goodman, Banana Republic and Gap, to name a few.
Oluchi is an inspiration to many women in Africa and across the globe, a fashion icon, a mother to 2 year old Ugo, wife to top New York-based designer Luca Orlandi and Director of her own model agency, O Model Africa.
Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Josie Borain was officially recognised as the first South African Supermodel after securing dozens of international
campaigns during her time in Paris and New York.
By the end of her impressive fifteen year modelling career, she had worked with fashion industry icons such as Bruce Webber, Ralph Lauren, Steven Meisel, Calvin Klein, Irving Penn and Richard Avedon, to name just a few.
Her face has graced the covers of dozens of magazines, TV commercials and advertising campaigns, including the most famous of all billboards - in Times Square, New York.
Her career in fashion continues today - having worked as Fashion Editor for South Africa's Fair Lady magazine and established a comprehensive online database of South Africa's model agencies, Josie has now made a name for herself as a leading photographer with 20 years' experience doing portraits, self-portraits and reportage.
Director of The Shine Group, fashion show producer, stylist, teacher, astrologer and mother, Megan Kruger has spent the past 3 decades in the fashion industry, first as a top model traveling the world and later as a model boss.Despite significant international success, she has remained true to her South African roots and has managed the careers of some of South Africa's most illustrious names in the fashion and beauty industry.Megan is a co-owner and hands-on Director of The Shine Group, a successful
collection of agencies, which includes O Model Africa, Heads Models, G3 Models and Shine Models plus agencies representing photographers, creative
artists and characters.
Kenyan designer John Kaveke studied fashion design both in Kenya and in Spain and worked for four years as a designer for other labels before
taking the plunge and setting up his own label. Kaveke has been involved in a number of prestigious projects including the International Smirnoff Fashion Awards, M-Net's Face of Africa 2001, National Dress design Team,Sarajevo Fashion week, Catwalk Kenya and FAFA Kenya 2008 and 2009.
His style is a contemporary mix with a little bit of an edge. It can be classic or unstructured surrounded by notes of handmade beadwork produced
by Maasai who traditionally use it as jewellery. Utilising fabrics like leather, denim, recycled fabrics, suede, knitwear, tie-dye cottons, linen
and silk, Kaveke's garments are designed for women who want to showcase their feminine charm and express vitality, passion for life and
individuality.Over the five years since he launched his brand, award-winning designer
David Tlale has delivered designs that go far beyond expectations.2008 was a fruitful one for the brand; a year in which Tlale was voted "Most
Stylish Person" at the annual SA Style Awards, Mzansi's Star Fashion Designer at the Mzansi Star Awards and also nominated at the Mercedes Benz
Fashion Awards. He was also invited to judge the Elle New Talent 2008 competition, the place where he began his journey in fashion.Both daring and dramatic, David Tlale is a brand that defies convention and employs unpredictable use and understanding of fabric, colour and texture. He was awarded Fashion Designer of the Year at the recent Arise Africa Fashion Awards, where he presented a Ready-To-Wear Collection that
defied all expectations.This award gave Tlale the opportunity to showcase his collection at the Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week in September
2009, courtesy of Arise Magazine.
THISDAY Editor-in-Chief and Chairman, Nduka Obaigbena, started his journalism career at Nigerian Observer before becoming coordinating editorof The Dawn and stints at publications like Newsweek Magazine and TIME Magazine. He established Leaders and Company - publishers of THISDAY Newspapers. He has championed several cultural initiatives including the ThisDay Music and Fashion Festival, The African Fashion Collective of the New York Fashion Week, as well as in London, Paris and Milan Fashion Week.ARISE Magazine, which he founded, hosted The ARISE Africa Fashion Week in Johannesburg, South Africa. A highly respected media mogul, Obaigbena was co-chair of Africa Media Leaders Summit in Senegal last year and is a member of the Nominating Committee of the Young Global Leaders Forum in Switzerland, where he regularly attends and moderates sessions with world leaders for the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland; Dalian, China;and Cape Town, South Africa.
Helen Jennings is the editor of ARISE magazine, dedicated to celebrating African achievement in fashion, music, culture and politics. Helen has
been at the helm of ARISE since its' inception, instigating numerous editorial exclusives such as a cover story with Alicia Keys, a fashion
shoot with Naomi Campbell, Alek Wek and Liya Kebede and interviews with big names like Don Cheadle, Jay-Z, Mandla Mandela, President Malam Bacai Sanhá and Sean Paul. Helen is based in London, studied at Kings College London and has over ten years journalistic experience both writing and styling for several worldwide titles including i-D (UK), The Face (UK),Time Out (UK), The National (Abu Dhabi), Neo2 (Italy), Touch (UK), Metro(UK), The Fader (US), Trace (US) and Oyster (Australia).
In addition to the judges, a new face joins the Face of Africa model search this year in the shape of Kenyan Fareed Khimani,who will present
the live Finale with Botswana's Kaone Kario. Known across the continent as a field presenter on M-Net's Studio 53 magazine show, Fareed runs his own successful media production business and has twice been voted as Kenya's favourite male radio personality.The BA Communications graduate lists his father as his hero, as he taught
him "never compromise on anything". Fareed loves working in the entertainment industry because he gets to meet lots of interesting people.Kaone Kario captured the hearts of the continent when she was named as the 2005 Face of Africa on her 19th birthday.5 years on, the vivacious young model from Maun, Botswana has graced magazine covers, catwalks and even billboards across Africa and in Europe and has even graduated to presenting the Face of Africa 2010 television
series, a duty she will share with Fareed at the Finale on February 6.Currently based in Cape Town, South Africa, Kaone is studying Television
Presenting while continuing to book glamorous modeling jobs in Africa and beyond.
The M-Net Face of Africa 2010 Finale has it all - international glitz, continental glamour and the opportunity to see Africa's next supermodel
take her first steps to international stardom. DStv audiences can watch the M-Net Face of Africa 2010 Finale live from Lagos on Saturday February
6 at 19:00 CAT, only on M-Net.