Top Model of Colour finale in The Gambia

Jan. 3, 2010 - PRLog -- After months of regional heats which saw over 4,500 models apply for the competition, the TMC competition saw over 30 models from around the UK being flown to The Gambia taking the modelling competition into the African continent for the first time ever.

TMC is known as being one of the UK’s leading modelling competitions for models of colour hoping to enter the competitive modelling industry, made even more so by the lack of models of colour on the international runways during fashion week and other big fashion shows that take place around the world.

Models from across the UK including London, Birmingham and Manchester flew into The Gambia for the show. In addition the contestants were honoured with a state house visit and meeting with the President of The Gambia: Yahya AJJ Jammeh and photo shoots in choice locations around The Gambia.

The finale was hosted by award winning UK comedienne Eddie Kadi & top Gambian TV Presenter Fatou Ndure and entertainment was provided by D3, Sing-a- Teh and top Gambian singer Mam Mbala and throughout the night the music was supplied by Homediggy.

The evening culminated with Emmanuel Ogunjinmi and Paula Okunzuwa walk away with the titles of Top Male and Female models of colour (2nd place Evita Dossou-Yovo, 3rd place Charlene Ashong, 4th place Pristyle Loko & 5th place Rachael Naome Nambozo. In second place for the men Emeka Okakpu & 3rd place Timothy Akinyemi). After having been judged on a range of abilities including runway walk, physique and understanding of the modelling industry. Industry experts on the judging panel included Arise editor Helen Jennings, leading British fashion entrepreneur Samata Angel and Yemi Adegite, CEO of Glasgow Fashion Week.

Judges for the different heats of the competition, which ran for months up to the finale in the Gambia had included international makeup artist Eryca Freemantle, Afua Acheampong, the acting editor of Black Hair Magazine, who both joined the troupe travelling to The Gambia and top Nigerian model Ibukun Jegede. The winners secured a contract with Mahogany Models which is sure to provide a launch pad for their respective careers within the modelling world. The competition also saw both commercial models and high fashion models given the opportunity to compete on an equal footing, assessing their potential within respective industries. Sola Oyebade, the founder of Mahogany Models and the Top Model of Colour competition is an influential figure within the British modelling industry and has worked tirelessly to secure a place for models of colour within the modelling industry.

Sponsors of the event included Fabecs Promotions, Africell and Global Properties. For further information visit http://www.topmodelofcolour.com

Image photography credit: Azza (azphotographer)

ABOUT THE TMC Top Model of Colour Competition
The Top Model of Colour (TMC) Competition are providing models with exposure to the modelling industry as well as giving them the chance to find out from professionals, their true potential to becoming a professional model.

TMC runs every year and is opened to female and male models of Asian, African, Caribbean, Hispanic, Oriental, and Mix Heritage decent aged between 18 – 30 years of age and a minimum height of 5.1”. This year over 4500 models entered the competition, 575 made it through to the regional heats and 32 competed at the grand finale


ABOUT Mahogany Model Management Agency
Mahogany Model Management is fast becoming the most talked about and joined agency for models of colour in the UK.

Our Mission:
Our mission is to hand pick and promote every type of model of colour we can find (both men and women) who are typically from the following origins: Caribbean, African, Asian, Hispanic, Oriental and dual heritage, we are aiming to “Inject more colour into mainstream fashion.”

Operating through five divisions: Women, Men, New Faces, Special Bookings and Personal Management we are determined to nurture and develop our models career long term, whilst ensuring that they do not run before they can walk. We treat all of our models as individuals and put their careers, safety and happiness above all else.

Key Points:
•   Largest agency for models of colour in the UK
•   Agency established for over 3 years (official agency name is Mahogany Model
       Management AKA Mahogany Models) – www.mahoganymodelmanagement.com
•   Mahogany productions are the producers of Top model of Colour

Editors Note:
•   Top model of colour is produced by Mahogany Productions in association with
       Mahogany Model Management
•   2009 winners are Paula Okunzuwa & Emmanuel Ogunjinmi
•   To book Paula or Emmanuel, arrange interviews or obtain pictures please contact
       Deborah St Louis – press@topmodelofcolour.com or call 0845 388 7249
•   2010 competition starts in January 2010 and the Grand Finale will be in November
       2010
•   For sponsorship information contact Sola Oyebade 0845 388 7249
•   For more information on the Mahogany Group of companies please contact Sola
      Oyebade 07971 388687 0845 388 7249 or visit www.topmodelofcolour.com – www.mahoganymodelmanagement.com or www.mahoganygroup.com

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TMC it is the only competition that caters to ethnic minority models, what we call models of colour. Therefore due to the above our competition in just one year has become the most popular competition in the UK & caters for young people 18 - 34.