What will be the difference? The Stage Fashion Showcase 2024.

On 16 June 2024, all streets heading to Mundi Center in the heart of the Kigali City, the Capital City of Rwanda were full of models heading to a heavy model casting call by The Stage Fashion Showcase under the SSANDUINA Ltd. More than 300 models were presented according to the organizers.

Models arriving for the casting at the Mundi Center in the heart of Kigali City [PHOTO IG]

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Big names in the modeling industry in Rwanda were also there and among the guests included Kabano Franco Co-founder of Webest Models Management, Rwanda’s leading modeling agency to help models gain jobs and contracts locally and internationally. Other names who attended the casting call were model Sekamana Luis, model Maboneza Gilbert, Mr. Mutabazi from the Rwanda Models Union, and many others including the casting Judge team members.

[Left ] Kabano Franco Co-founder of the Webest Modesl Management at Mundi Center for the support of the casting process [PHOTO IG]

Talking with Flash TV after the casting call Mucyo Sandrine CEO and founder of SSANDUINA Ltd said that about 900 hundred models were applied

“I am happy but I am not really happy, as you can see we have many models showing up today. For online applications, we received 900 applicants. The total number of those who are here today is 321 models. My plan was to select 50 models like last year, but I have decided to select 63 models including the legend names because I have no choice “

CEO and founder  of the STAGE, Sandrine Mucyo  at the Mundi Center, the  Stage Fashion Showcase 2024 Models Casting  [PHOTO IG]

Even though there were many models who showed up for the casting call some models were scared to attend the casting call added Mucyo” They are so many models who really wanted to come for the casting and they even already registered, but they were scared to show up and some were feeling nervous, we go their text messages”

 Models waiting for the casting to start at the Mundi Center in the heart of Kigali City [PHOTO IG]

A model who talked to the RCFS’S MEDIA said that the modeling casting was confusing and that is why he didn’t show up” Their first poster I saw on Instagram, the STAGE was charging some money for the registration, and then later they announced that it is free to register with a deadline date. For me, I was confused about their communication”

Models waiting for the casting to start at the Mundi Center in the heart of Kigali City [PHOTO IG]

Another model who talked with our journalist said “ Mucyo cannot control her emotions in front of all those old models and “so-called legend models”. Is she looking for old models or new faces? I don’t know. What I know is that few new faces are on that selected list”

[2nd from left Mucyo Sandrine] and her  team members  [PHOTOIG]

Mucyo Sandrine is a former model who is trying her best to help and support young and upcoming models to showcase their talents. Before the casting call was announced, former model Mucyo initiated some meetings with different modeling agencies owners in Kigali to talk about her plans and what models will benefit from the Stage Fashion Showcase 2024 edition. 

“The founder of the Stage Fashion Showcase was joined by The leaders of Rwanda Fashion Models Union and all agency leaders based in Kigali for an insightful meeting that discussed a number of topics in regard to how we can collaborate to effectively develop Rwanda’s ModelingSector. The meeting also was done in regard to setting the requirements and standards of the models to attend the Casting organized with the intention of selecting the best 100 models who’ll be in Rwanda by then to join training sessions, fun activities, and performing on the biggest fashion stage in Rwanda that is set to take place on October 5, 2024” Press release after the meeting Mucyo Sandrine had with modeling agencies in Rwanda 

A Model on the runway for the casting at the Mundi Center in the heart of Kigali City [PHOTO IG]

During the interview on the casting set, the journalist asked Mucyo to share more about the activities of this year's event and replied “ I can not share our activities now but soon you will know. We will let you know, you know this is going to go all the way to the month of October, starting with storytelling and other activities with selected models”

[The stage Fashion Showcase 2024 is looking for fashion designers]

The first edition of Stage 2023, was a success according to fashion lovers and fashion enthusiasts even though the organizers were not happy with the results. Talking with the media after the event Mucyo said "This is a big disappointment from the Marriot Hotel Kigali side. We agreed that we would showcase all of our collections including the Bikini wears, but closer to the event they said someone from the government said that no Bikini in our runway show. This is not fair”

CEO and founder  of the STAGE, Sandrine Mucyo  at the Marriot Hotel Kigali the Stage Fashion Showcase 2023 [PHOTO IG]

The first edition of the Stage Fashion Showcase took place on October 14 at the Marriott Hotel Kigali. According to the Mucyo, this year's edition will take place at the Convention Center, Rwanda’s leading magnificent 5 stars hotel and conference venue

A Model on the runway at the Marriot Hotel Kigali the Stage Fashion Showcase 2023 [PHOTO IG]

Different local media wrote that the Stage Fashion Showcase 2024 models' casting call was in high preparation from the branding to the rules for models to follow with casting. However, some event organizers think Mucyo needs sponsors to keep her project running.  

[RIGHT] Kabano Franco Co-founder of the Webest Modesl Management at Mundi Center following the casting process [PHOTO IG]

“Mucyo is doing a great job because she is providing a platform for models and those are Rwandan youth who are creating job opportunities. Yes, the branding was good and we saw the same thing with Job Bunyeshuli and others. She needs sponsors to keep that project running. We don’t need to see her quite like some past fashion promoters we all know.

A Model on the runway for the casting at the Mundi Center in the heart of Kigali City [PHOTO IG]

 The Stage Fashion Showcase is a hub for models that is not only geared towards booking talent on a national level but also towards planning a fashion show with the goal of discovering, promoting, and growing Africa's models and fashion designers on a worldwide level.  

Casting models check-in [PHOTO IG]

Models waiting for the casting to start at the Mundi Center in the heart of Kigali City [PHOTO IG]

Models waiting for the casting to start at the Mundi Center in the heart of Kigali City [PHOTO IG]

A Model on the runway for the casting at the Mundi Center in the heart of Kigali City [PHOTO IG]

THE RCFS'S MEDIA