Australia: Teurai Chanakira collaborates with Zimbabwean Designers for Miss Fashion Australia 2011
Teurai Chanakira, an Australian-based Zimbabwean model, is collaborating with Zimbabwean Fashion and Accessory design labels, Chenai Chic, Ma Manaka and Terrie Gunz, for the Miss Fashion Australia 2011 competition, in which she is a Finalist. She is also being sponsored by Brazilian Fashion and Accessory design labels, Totem and Marzio Fiorini.
Miss Fashion Australia is an annual competition which is to be held in Townsville, Australia from 14-16 April 2011. The $100,000 Fashion Bash is Australia’s richest Fashion Challenge and has achieved immense global success since its inception in 2003. It is organised and run by Henry Petersen, its Founder and his organisation, Fashion Bash.
Henry Petersen is a well-known and respected Australian Talent Scout who discovered the last three Miss Universe Australia’s and 22 international models. The most well-known is Rachael Finch, who was crowned 3rd Runner-up in the Miss Universe Finals 2009. He invited Teurai to enter the competition in May 2010, making her the first black/African contestant since it began. She qualified as a Finalist a few months later. Joining her in making history is a Sudanese model, who will be competing in the Teens category of the competition.
There are three categories in the competition: Day Wear, Active Wear and Hollywood Glamour (Evening gowns). The Lead Designer for Chenai Chic, Susan Tafeni, is working with Teurai to come up with a stunning evening gown. Miss Tafeni said, “’I am proud and thrilled to be designing the evening gown for Teurai”. Ma Manaka will provide accessories for the evening gown. Ma Manaka said, “I am excited to be making some stunning accessories for Teurai’s evening wear, as she makes history in this competition”. Clothing and jewellery will also be provided by Terrie Gunz and Brazilian designers, Totem and Marzio Fiorini.
The prize for the winner is a seven day trip for two to Los Angeles, including the opportunity to go to Hollywood castings, not to mention the amount of offers that will come in for work in the Modelling/Arts & Entertainment sector. The designers will receive global exposure in the lead-up to, throughout and after the competition as the Australian media will be avidly watching this annual event. If Teurai wins the Miss Fashion Australia 2011 title, the designers who have sponsored her will receive 24/7 branding on Australia’s number one youth fashion website, the Fashion Bash.
Teurai is working on several projects including being in the process of registering the Elizabeth Chanakira Cancer Trust in Zimbabwe, in partnership with Zimbo Jam and UK based Quartz Marketing. She said, “I am excited at the prospect of making history and representing Zimbabwe as the first African Finalist, in an industry where there are not enough models of colour.”
Links:
http://www.fashionbash.com.au/miss_fashion_australia.php
