With an illustrious career spanning over two decades, Phuti Khomo has solidified her position as a resilient and talented entertainment industry powerhouse. Her remarkable journey began with her reign as Miss SA Teen, a title that continues to inspire her.Phuti's versatility has led her to excel in various fields, including radio host, acting, presenting and recently founding the Phuti Khomo Modelling Expo.
As a renowned modelling expert, Phuti has created a nurturing platform that fosters, growth, education, and success for the next generation of models. Driven by a passion to empower, Phuti Khomo's vision ensures a supportive environment where aspiring models can thrive with expert guidance and mentorship
At the recent Hair and Beauty Masterclass our Editor-In-Chief Nontando Mposo sat down with Phuti Khomo to find out more about the Phuti Khomo Modelling Expo.
What inspired you to create the Phuti Khomo Modelling Expo, and how does it align with your personal experiences in the modelling and entertainment industries?
What inspired me to create the Phuti Khomo Modelling Expo was the countless young aspiring models who looked up to me as a role model after being crowned Miss SA Teen in 2002. Whenever I met with them, they'd ask how they could follow in my footsteps. Their eagerness to follow in my footsteps sparked an idea. However, I realized that I couldn't connect them to opportunities due to my lack of affiliation with agencies at the time. Since then I dedicated myself to creating a space where aspiring models can be scouted by top local and international agencies.
Through extensive research, my team and I uncovered a disturbing reality: human traffickers posing as modelling agencies to exploit vulnerable individuals. This alarming discovery solidified our mission of creating a safe space for models to be scouted without the risk of being trafficked. Having navigated the challenges of the entertainment and modelling industries myself, I understand the dangers involved in pursuing this career. The Phuti Khomo Modelling Expo is my way of giving back, fostering a supportive ecosystem that promotes growth, education, and success for the next generation of models.
As an accomplished actress and radio DJ, how have your experiences in these fields influenced your approach to organizing an event specifically for aspiring models?
My experiences have taught me the importance of simplicity and preparation in the entertainment industry. I've seen many talented individuals struggle due to lack of guidance and clarity. When entering the industry, it's common to feel overwhelmed and uncertain about what to expect. To bridge this gap, I decided to host workshops across all 9 provinces, empowering aspiring models with industry knowledge and readiness.
These workshops are like mini-expos where I collaborate with industry experts to ensure models are equipped to showcase their best selves. They provide a platform for models to understand the industry's inner workings, develop essential skills, and gain confidence before meeting top local and international agencies at our main expo.
The expo emphasizes safety and integrity, particularly in preventing human trafficking. Could you elaborate on the measures you’ve implemented to ensure participants' security?
At the Phuti Khomo Modelling Expo (PKME), safety and integrity are paramount. To prevent human trafficking and ensure participants' security, we've implemented agency vetting: Our team personally verifies the credibility and legitimacy of all local and international modelling agencies invited to participate. We also focus on parental education and Involvement: Recognizing that many young models enter the industry without parental support hence exposing them to scammers.
We offer sessions to educate parents on, industry dynamics, effective communication, guardianship responsibilities, payment structures, potential risks and warning signs.I believe that by empowering parents, we reduce the risk of exploitation and encourage open dialogue, ensuring models have a supportive network. Some of our safety protocols include:
• Strict accreditation processes for attendees
• Secure event venue
• Trained staff and volunteers
• Collaborations with anti-human trafficking organizations
How does the expo aim to empower young women and aspiring models, and what support systems are in place to assist them in navigating the industry responsibly?
Our greatest mission is to educate models about showcasing various modelling styles helping models discover their niche. We support them by Offering comprehensive resources and guidance through our Workshops where they get expert assessments of their skins, walks, bodies, and posing techniques. They also get personalized model passports for tracking their progress gathered from the assessments feedback.
Our Expo creates networking opportunities, connecting models with industry professionals, including nutritionists for healthy lifestyle guidance, skin experts for natural skincare advice, fitness coaches tailored to specific modelling needs. Our holistic approach fosters physical, emotional, and professional well-being, ensuring models navigate the industry responsibly.
With agencies from major fashion capitals participating, how do you ensure diverse representation and inclusion at the expo, especially from a local talent perspective?
Our expo is a platform for all kinds of modelling, welcoming talent from every background. We believe everyone deserves a chance to shine, that’s why we're dedicated to empowering aspiring models from all walks of life, including children, young women and men, plus-size models, transgender individuals and, models from under-represented demographics in South Africa. To ensure inclusive representation at our expo, we partner with agencies committed to diversity and inclusion, we vet agencies' representation policies and track records. The fashion industry's shift towards inclusivity is exciting, and we're proud to contribute to this movement. I’ve always looked at modelling as non-binary because it focuses on how a person looks more than what gender they are. Modelling now celebrates individuality, breaking boundaries and stereotypes, showcasing relatable, everyday people and embracing diversity in all forms and the PKME reflects this.
Reflecting on your career in acting and radio, what are your long-term goals for the Phuti Khomo Modelling Expo, and how do you envision it impacting the modelling industry in years to come?
Looking ahead, I envision the Phuti Khomo Modelling Expo (PKME) as a global platform, providing a safe space for models to be scoured across the world. I believe that everywhere in the world there is a girl or boy child that dreams of being the next supermodel, and as a means to curb human trafficking that happens in the name of modelling the PKME aims to reach them before the traffickers do.
Our long-term goals also include, establishing Model Houses, These Model Houses are facilities planned to be established in major cities, initially in Johannesburg and Cape Town, with future expansions to fashion capitals like New York, Paris, Milan, and London. These houses provide a supportive environment for models at the start of their careers. The houses will have security and rules like a curfew for models and regular drug testing. The rules will be there as guidelines for the models and ensure security for the models parents.
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