Yo Familia! We’re back again, this time with our fourth selection of our picks of the year highlighting some of our favourite people and moments throughout the year
Breakout Model of the year – Malaika Jones
Meet Malaika Jones, the breakout model of the year. Over the span of 2024, she’s built an impressive portfolio, jumping from e-commerce shoots to high-fashion editorials. She’s worked with big names like Shelflife, Steers, and tons of local designers and brands. With a growing presence on the scene, Malaika’s already nailed some major campaigns and stunning editorial work in 2024. Her rise shows no signs of slowing down, and her future in the industry looks incredibly bright.
Commercial Model of the year – Melo Agbohla
I think we can come to agree that this year the bar was raised immensely in the commercial modelling scene with more faces introduced this year than ever before, each bringing an interesting twist to the game and making noise in their own right but I think with Melo there never truly was a break from January to December he’s been on our screens popping off, his year truly served as a testament to consistency, experimenting and hard work. Working with the likes of Nao Serati, Thebe Magugu, Mr Price, Againstallodds, The Fix and many more, and it’s no wonder why he’s become one of the most sought after commercial models. Moving away from brand work he’s also had an extremely successful year on the conceptual front with my personal highlight from him being his “take me to heaven with your angel ways” shoot with @slxck.93, back in Feb.
Fashion Model of the year – Lebo Malope
Looking at the year Lebo Malope had in 2024, it would almost be a crime to not consider him the fashion model of the year, At the ripe age of 19 Lebo has rapidly gained international recognition for his work with prestigious brands and designers across the globe, appearing at the Paris and Milan fashion weeks and working with the likes of Y-3, Gucci, Kid Super, Louis Vuitton, MM6 Maison Margiela, Jil Sander and many more major international fashion houses.
Model to look out for in 2025 – Hloni Shopane
Our selected model to look out for, Hloni is the guy we truly feel eyes need to stay on, it’s been clear how sought after he’s become on the commercial front through his work with local brands from the likes of FYM3021, The saints Club, Brthrhood, Padral and more; it’s this that’s sparked the appeal from retailers like Studio 88, Shelflife and Puma. I think we’re in the period just before the numbers start switching international with his ever growing versatility on the modelling front tapping into some of the best conceptual shoots to come out this year with “THE NEGRO FATHER” and “Denim Dreams”. Hloni is easily becoming one of the most promising emerging models coming out of South Ahh and from this side it looks like he’s only a few posts away from the rest of the country from catching on.
