PFM Showcase 2016 Catwalk Models Selected

On 20th August, the 4th Passion For Motherland Showcase event will take place in London. Alongside internationally acclaimed musicians like Gasandji Rever and Mulele Matondo Afrika, there will be powerful poetry from Mell Nyoko and Christina Fonthes. The event itself will be hosted by BBC Africa’s Nora Fakim and the money raised will go toward building a shelter for homeless children in Kinshasa. Central to the event will be an amazing fashion show and last night Africa Fashion was invited to an exclusive casting call.

Brit’s traditionally refer to the fashion industry as ‘The Rag Trade’, so it’s no surprise that the casting took place at an event location in the middle of Brick Lane market (where fabric suppliers have been selling cloth for hundreds of years), called The Rag Factory.

This was the location for the selection of catwalk models for the PFM Showcase 2016. From 6pm, there was a continuous stream of hopeful models being interviewed by the selection committee and walking for the judges.

The PFM Showcase 2016 takes place on 20th August and tickets are available online from EventBrite, but what is the good cause driving all this activity?

At 11 years of age, award-winning model Lisette Mibo ran away from a dangerous situation at her home in Kinshasa, DRC. It was 2am and she had to walk for hours – alone and scared – to get to safety at her grandmother’s house. Lisette founded Passion For Motherland 4 years ago and has been raising money to help the vulnerable in Congo ever since.

“All proceeds from this year’s event will go toward building a shelter for street children in Kinshasa and to help pay for their education and healthcare with our care partner, Charité et Secours”, Lisette told us. “The PFM Showcase will be a great night and we really encourage people to buy tickets to support the work we are doing. We believe that we can help heal our country by caring for these street children”.

All of the models had a great time and the lucky ones will be on stage at the Holiday Inn, Regent’s Park, from 6pm on Saturday 20th August 2016. Here are some of this year’s hopefuls.