Styling her future

This is the fashion philosophy that TV host and actress Pearl Modiadie lives by. As a contributor to the Woolworths Modern Range for winter collection, Modiadie wants to encourage youngsters to find their own perspectives on fashion.

Modiadie got her first big break on e.tv’s Crazed Out in 2007 and has since become a sought-after television presenter and general “It” girl.

She currently hosts Zaziwa, a lifestyle show that gives viewers a chance to get to know their favourite celebrities through the music that has helped shape their lives. But it’s her life at the centre of local entertainment that has sparked her love for fashion.

“My job also requires me to attend big events and the first thing I’m asked when I step onto the red carpet is who I’m wearing. So I always need to put my best foot forward.”

STYLISH. Pearl Modiadie wants to increase her involvement in the fashion industry.

Together with TV presenter Minnie Dlamini and fashion bloggers Melody Molale and Neo Leoka, Modiadie makes up a quartet of style-loving girls called The Fashion Crew who are using their social media platforms to discuss winter fashion, from their favorite style moments to the fashion faux pas they’d rather forget.

“Style defines a person,” says Modiadie. “It’s a mode of expression.”

Even though she looks gorgeous in almost every outfit, she doesn’t consider herself a fashion mogul yet.

“I won’t lie and call myself an expert, I just always bring my own style and my individual interpretation of fashion. I enjoy putting different pieces together to see what I come up with,” she says.

While Modiadie will do just about anything to maintain her style, she won’t compromise comfort.

“You can’t be uncomfortable and look amazing,” she says adamantly.

Modiadie is also passionate about young women and girls and uses her media platforms to highlight issues that affect them. She recently joined the Child Trace team as an ambassador for the Child Identification Initiative – a non-profit organisation that develops child identification and verification systems in South Africa to help combat child trafficking.

COOL. Minnie Dlamini is known for her relaxed and modern look.

She also presented Sistahood, a show dedicated to women, for six years before moving on to become the show’s content producer.

“When you work on a kids or youth programme for a long time, you get typecast as ‘that girl from the kids’ show’. I would go to auditions and they’d tell me that they loved me, but that I still had a ‘kids presenter’ image around me. I wanted to shrug that image off because I wanted to grow in the industry,” she says.

WEB GURUS. Fashion bloggers Melody Molale and Neo Leoka love street fashion.

Leaving Sistahood allowed Modiadie to focus on becoming an actress, a radio DJ and a presenter. And being a major player in the fashion industry is also at the top of her to do list. “I’d like to be that go-to person for style inspiration whether it’s through partnering with a fashion brand for my own line or being a fashion adviser or trend-spotter. Being part of this winter fashion campaign has been a big highlight.”