.BENNY PAUL KABAGEMA, a young fashion model based in Rwanda, is taking significant steps toward his dreams. According to Kabagema, the rise of social media has provided many young people with new opportunities to accomplish their dreams. Benny also works as a fashion model on numerous social media platforms. The young fashion model says he was a fashion enthusiast since he was a child, and he grew to like and partake in it. I was attracted to the way they paid attention to detail the first time I saw fashion shows; it inspired me and kindled a passion in me, said Kabagema, a rising fashion model. Kabagema modeled for the first time in high school, and it was a good experience that made him want to do more, plus the excellent feedback he got from friends and family. We won a competition when I was a runaway model in senior five. I was inspired to pursue the journey I had started after that experience, he proudly declared. The model became popular after he began publishing professional photographs that showcased his talents. Since then, he has had many followers on Instagram and has had different modeling gigs. The fact that he is still new in the industry does not make him sit still but work even more complex. So far, Benny has worked for different clothing brands and some agencies, even if it is hard to find such brands. “My biggest achievements so far are that I got trusted by different clothing brands, and now I work for them on different projects which are all successful,” said Kabagema. The model has worked with brands like the Mysteries, Urutozi, Imyihariko, Imboni, etc. Kabagema highlighted certain challenges, including the fact that most fashion possibilities are available for girls in most seasons, whether abroad or in Rwanda, while the guys feel left out. He is not striving or aiming to work with a fashion agent. But instead, he plans to use his unique way of exploiting his talent in fashion, which is using his platforms and presenting his skills via social media. He wants to teach it to other models who do not work with agencies. “If you love fashion and want to do it, you can still do it via your social media platforms and showcase what you can do. That’s what I want to do, said Kabagema. Not only is he a fashion model, but he has bigger plans for the future. “I want to have my own fashion brand in the coming years; that will be mine to bring out my creativity since I already have a long way to go,” said Kabagema. Kabagema recently also participated in Mercedes- Benz Fashion Week, where young, fast-rising fashion designers and some Rwandan models showcased collections from the 27 designers that attended. He describes it as another helpful experience he has had. The experience was very good; it helped me be more confident than I was, and I made a lot of helpful connections! I also learned a lot about fashion, said Kabagema.
