Trouble on the runway models claim not being paid

Malawi fashion industry needs more than just clothes, models and runways for it to grow. The fashion industry is not as well paying for many players involved. Models being the least paid. The worst tragedy is when an industry that needs more nurturing for its growth, money seems to be standing in the way of its advancement.

Three months after strutting the runway at Malawi Fashion Week (MFW), donning different Malawian designs, models claim not to have been paid their modelling fees, Chill has established. According to sources, the models had a two-week boot camp where they were drilled in modeling.

After the boot camp some models were selected for Malawi Fashion Week.

According to the contract agreement form which has been made available to Chill, the models were supposed to be paid K30 000 (US$75) as a commitment fee and once selected to perform at MFW, they would be paid K2 500 (US$6) per outfit that they showcase. One model who showcased different designs at Malawi Fashion week confided with Chill that the models were supposed to have a second phase of the Boot Camp but it was moved to Lilongwe at Elegant Resources offices in Area 47.

Another model said the contract was sugar-coated and at that point, they felt the K30 000 was justified.

“The contract stated that we would be provided with a gym, Fashion TV, a food and nutrition menu by former Big Brother house mate Hazel Warren but we did not see any Hazel Warren or Fashion TV or gym, we felt cheated but because of the passion we have for modelling, we continued with the Boot Camp,” said one disgruntled model.

“Already it was hard for those who were coming from Blantyre, Mzuzu, Zomba and other distant areas as food and accommodation were not provided as they had promised, we had to source our own food and accommodation,” said the anonymous source.

The models report that they were trained by Alice Musukwa, a former Miss Universe Top 10 finalist from Zambia. During the second session, Malawi Fashion Week CEO Dawa Loga-Lemberger suggested that they bring in another model trainer Neetasha Singh from South Africa who demanded K40 000 (US$100) per model for a one day session and although the models rejected her, MFW went ahead and hired her.

After the Malawi Fashion Week, the models were only given K4 000 each.

“We were told by MFW officials that we would receive the balances for the modelling fees the following week but weeks have now turned into months. We were trained to live a poshy life and never to work for free and yet they are not the ones paying their bills. We learnt from the best so we want our money,” said one model who participated at MFW.

Our source, who sought for anonymity, claims MFW owes her K16 000 (US$40) from the event.

On her part, Loga-Lemberger confirmed that some of the models are still waiting to be paid because they had low turn-out at the event.

“We had potential sponsors like KIA that came after the event but we still were not sponsored regardless of what other people thought,” said Loga-Lemberger.

Contrary to what some models told Chill that after receiving K4 000, MFW went silent, Loga-Lemberger claimed that she has been trying to source some money to pay the models and has been updating them on the status of the situation.

Loga-Lemberger assured Chill that they are trying as much as possible to look for money to pay the models.

“The models did a great job at the event and we appreciate their efforts and patience in this time as we work together in promoting the fashion industry in Malawi,” said Loga-Lemberger.