The search for Africa’s next modelling sensation kicked off at World Football House in Johannesburg on Friday with the launch of the “World Face of Fashion” competition.

Judges in the competition include cover girl and top model Joelle Kayembe, current Ms South Africa Nicol Flint and former Ms South Africa Claudia Henkel, who were all among the fashion stars who attended the glitzy launch at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

Eighteen finalists in this year’s Miss World, drawn from the nations participating in the FIFA 2010 World Cup, were also on hand to lend some glamorous support.

Auditions for the international model search are already under way. The winner will be announced at the African Fashion Awards on 5 July.

Adding beauty to the beautiful game, during the auditions up until 4 July, successful candidates will be shot in the Face Of World Fashion Studio at World Football House, in the same high-calibre studio where celebrities, wags and footballers are being photographed by top South African photographers.

(Cannelle de Ruig, MD of World Fashion Month; Joelle Kayembe, Cover Girl & Top Model; Claudia Henkel, former-Ms SA; & Shashi Naidoo, actress and television presenter)

The World Face of Fashion also includes a reality TV element as winners will be shown every Thursday on various lifestyle shows on SABC 2 and 3 up until 4 July.

As part of her prize, the winner will receive over R250,000 worth of prizes and be the first face for the international fashion & lifestyle event, World Fashion Month, the next of which will be held in the UAE in 2011.

(Miss Slovakia; judge Joelle Kayembe (Cover Girl & Top Model); Miss New Zealand; Miss Ghana; Miss Chile; judge Cannelle de Ruig (MD of World Fashion Month); judge Claudia Henkel (former-Ms SA); Miss Portugal; Talent Director Shashi Naidoo (actress and television presenter)

Apart from launching the World Face of Fashion, the world’s premier lifestyle event World Fashion Month is an annual event that is synonymous with the best global fashion-related brands & designers and international models.

“World Fashion Month is a glittering month of shows, expos and accessory events culminating in the black-tie World Fashion Awards which celebrate and acknowledge outstanding achievement in global fashion,” says Cannelle de Ruig, MD of World Fashion Month.

(The launch of World Face of Fashion at World Football House in Johannesburg)

As part of its World Cup celebrations, World Fashion Month is hosting its own exclusive lounge and professional photographic area for celebrity and VIP fashion shoots at World Football House, which has transformed the Sandton Convention Centre into the premiere area for hospitality and brand & country promotion for the duration of the FIFA World Cup. It also includes a Fan Area complete with big screens, a spa, boutique and excellent hospitality.

“With our commitment to the fashion industry as a whole, we will also be selecting eight South African designers to participate in World Fashion Month 2011 in the UAE where they will have a platform to showcase their designs to the world,” adds Cannelle de Ruig.

World Face of Fashion

Entry to the World Face of Fashion is via the website, www.worldfashionmonth.com

World Football House

Sandton Convention Centre – Johannesburg
Maude Street Sandton 2196,
Johannesburg, South Africa

www.worldfootballhouse.com