Soweto model makes big time

FRESH from walking the prestigious AFI Cape Town Fashion Week ramp, Louisa Phagwaya yesterday notched up another milestone.

The dazzling teenager was chosen by SA Fashion Week casters as one of the models to grace the upcoming SA Fashion Week next month. To be held at Arts on Main in Johannesburg, it will run from September 29 to October 2.

The 19-year-old was nervous before the casting at Design District in Rosebank yesterday, which attracted more than 50 new models. She told Sowetan that she was relieved when the casters picked her.



"The casting was nerve-wrecking. I was the only one chosen in the line of three beautiful models. I could not believe it when they told me to stay behind," she said.



Now it is up to designers to pick her to model their clothes. She was a hit at the Cape Town Fashion Week, where she modelled for top designer Marrinne Fassler.



The lanky model from Protea Glen, Soweto, says she is confident that the SA Fashion Week designers will like her.



Phagwaya was spotted by Aesse Modelling agent at the Bree taxi rank in Johannesburg in June.



"I was approached by a lady who told me I was beautiful and asked me if I was a model. When I told her that I was not, she convinced me to give it a try."



The University of Johannesburg accounting student caught her first flight ever to Cape Town last week.



SA Fashion Week founder Lucilla Boysen said they were looking for fresh talent to mix with experienced models.



She said Phagwaya had the look they were looking for.



"She is young and has a fresh look. She is very tall and not very skinny but toned and thin."