LUJU FASHION SHOW OPENS CASTING CALL FOR ESWATINI MODELS

By Siphosethu Mabuza

MANZINI – Aspiring models across Eswatini have been given an opportunity to step onto one of the country’s biggest fashion platforms after the Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival announced an open casting call for this year’s Luju Fashion Show.

The casting session will take place on 16 July from 9am to 1pm at the House On Fire Amphitheatre, where organisers will be searching for fresh faces to showcase collections from leading designers representing Eswatini, South Africa, Mozambique and Lesotho.

Unlike many fashion castings that require invitations or agency representation, this opportunity is open to all models in Eswatini. Organisers are encouraging aspiring and experienced models alike to attend and compete for a place on the world-class Luju Fashion Runway.

This year’s festival theme, “Kwasukasukela… Once Upon A Time,” invites designers to celebrate Africa’s heroes, heroines, folklore and legends through contemporary fashion. The selected models will play an important role in bringing those creative stories to life on the runway.

Festival organisers describe the models as more than just runway walkers. They will become the canvas through which designers express their interpretation of the theme, allowing every garment to tell a unique African story.

Those planning to attend the casting have been advised to arrive with a clean face or minimal makeup, dressed in a simple outfit such as jeans or leggings paired with a plain-coloured top. Female models are also required to bring heels, while all applicants should carry a printed photograph of their face and a pen.

The Luju Fashion Show has grown into one of the festival’s biggest attractions, celebrating African creativity while providing regional designers and local models with international exposure.

For many aspiring models, the casting presents more than just an opportunity to walk a runway. It offers a chance to represent Eswatini on one of Southern Africa’s most respected fashion stages and become part of a festival that continues to showcase African excellence through fashion, music, food and culture.