BULAWAYO – Reigning Mr. Zimbabwe and two time Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards (RBAAs) winner for Outstanding Male Model, Shadel Noble, holds several titles to his name. He has earned himself the ‘King of the Ramp’ title owing to his drive, hard work, good looks and killer-smile. His down-to-earth and demure nature brings about his unique attributes that separate him from other models.
The basketball player, coach and Brand Ambassador for Male Models in Zimbabwe finds balance in his demanding careers not only to live up to his legendary father’s name, ‘King of the Court’-Ernest Noble, but also to be an internationally acclaimed model from Zimbabwe.
Speaking about his experience in the fashion and modelling industry, Shadel had this and more to say:
“I was a shy and reserved guy, straight from the basket-ball court with no experience what-so-ever about modelling. A friend invited me for casting and I was bit reluctant but my curiosity took me there. The immense support from my family and friends gave me confidence and I made the cut and I later enrolled at Fingers Modelling Agency. My first show was Ministers Fashion Show in 2015 and the experience was nerve-wrecking but exciting.”
“Ever since that show, I have grown and improved my modelling skills. I have featured in local, Nigerian and South African fashion shows for David Tlale, Ara Kani, SABC’s Expresso, Terrence Brayer, Maxvive, Chullap, Kid Hunter and many other designers,” he added.
Shadel also revealed that juggling basketball and modelling can be a bit of a challenge.
“Sometimes my team members tease me about how careful I am whenever I’m in the court and how I always avoid having my face being hit by the ball or whenever I fall and scrape my knee or elbow,” he laughed.
Scooping the RBAA award for the Outstanding Model of the year for the second time in a row came as a much welcome surprise for him.
He said, “The other nominees in the category work very hard to be where they are and it is both humbling and exciting to have my efforts and talent appreciated. I did not think that I was going to win the award again.”
The multi-talented #city’sfavouritemodels fashion designer, applauded Jarmaine, Ben Chest, Mazisi and Dean Banda, some of the city’s male models he looks up to for paving way for young models like himself and those to follow saying,
“It is not easy to be a male model in our country because the female models get first preference and most of the times you don’t get paid for your work and it makes one lose interest in pursuing modelling as a career. There is little to no sponsorship for us and that is crippling the industry. Most models are now opting to do gigs in South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Nigeria and other countries. More should be done to train male models and to educate those interested.”
His words for upcoming models were that they should not expect their agencies to find them gigs.
“Those that have made it in this city did not become overnight sensations, they are self-driven individuals who worked hard to build a name for themselves.”
“A person makes a name for themselves and no one is in the same boat because we have different dreams and prospects,” he continued.
Shadel was crowned Mr. Bulawayo in 2016, Mr. Zimbabwe in 2017 and Best International Male Fashion Model in Zambia. Earning these titles has taught him self-discipline and humility and these are the attributes that are taking him so far.
