Kenza Fourati
Think you have what it takes to be a model? On the catwalks and across the pages of the most reputable magazines, Arab and Muslim models are few and far between with only a handful of names including the pioneers, Farida Khelfa and Yasmeen Ghauri, and the new faces of fashion, Kenza Fourati, Hanaa Ben Abdesslem, and Hind Sahli, showcased to critical acclaim. Bookers often fear that Muslim models will not take to using their bodies as an instrument as frequently required of the job, even though one does not have to look far to come across a relevant success story. Coco Rocha, one of the world’s premier models, is a proud Jehovah’s Witness with a long list of job-performance no-nos—and not getting naked for a shoot is one of them. We, for one, cannot say that her career has suffered for it.
If Arabs feel poorly represented on the model front, it is perhaps due to a lack of education and lack of initiative on behalf of scouts who are still tip-toeing around the Middle Eastern region, not sure of how to tap into our beauties’ model potential. This week, we commemorate Middle Eastern designers and we also celebrate our region’s stunning women and men. Elite, the agency responsible for propelling Iman and Kenza Fourati—the world’s first Arab Sports Illustrated swimsuit model and 2002 third place Elite Model Look finisher, to international stardom—is holding an open UAE and Qatar casting April 19th and May 3rd in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, respectively, with Qatar dates to follow.
Our tip to look your model best: attend dressed in slim jeans and a t-shirt and wear minimal makeup to highlight your natural beauty.
