“HURRY up and wait.” That’s one of the most used phrases in the fashion industry according to young fashion model Sune Botes.
The 18-year-old Queensburgh beauty was recently chosen to be the First Face of this year’s Durban Fashion Fair (DFF) which took place between 22 and 25 August at the Durban Exhibition Centre.
The First Face of any fashion show is the first model to hit the ramp, and Suné, had the honour of modelling for 17 designers, including Jaqui Emanuel, Gavin Rajah, Kathrin Kidger, Terrence Bray and Francois Vedemme .
Queensburgh News went backstage to talk to Suné about her DFF experience.
“There are moments of glitz and glamour but what most people don’t see are the extremely long hours of fittings, rehearsals and dealing with a lot of different personalities. It involves long hours of running around and then waiting around, hence the saying ‘hurry up and wait’,” she explained.
Born and bred in Queensburgh, Sune started modelling at the tender age of four, prancing up and down her make-shift ramp at her Escombe home. Home schooling meant Sune had the pleasure of studying fashion design in the comfort of her own home which also allowed her to view the modelling industry through the eyes of a designer and a model.
According to Sune, a sense of unity among the models at DFF made it somewhat different from all the other fashion shows she has modelled in.
“When I started doing high fashion events five years ago there were a lot of cliques. At DFF everybody hung out together and supported one another. I think everybody acknowledged one another’s professional capacity and strongpoints. There was a sense of respect.”
“The two moments that stand out to me as a model were being booked as the “First Face” of DFF. I was wore a stunning black dress designed by Jacqui Emannuel and all eyes were on me. I was also fortunate enough to be the showstopper and group leader in Katrin Kidger finale. It will forever be one of my most treasured moments.”
