Aphile Carter
Profile Twitter: https://x.com/APHILE_CARTER
The first time that Aphile Carter, 22, did a casting for Paris Fashion Week, he got a gig with Yves Saint Laurent. He ended up doing a shoot with the prestigious brand in Venice for its Spring/Summer Collection fashion show. It was a dream come true for the young high fashion model and reminded him that your highest aspirations can be reached, no matter where you come from. Aphile hails from Lenasia, an area renowned for crime and gangs, but then, so does Liesl Laurie-Mthombeni, who won the Miss South Africa crown in 2015. This changed the trajectory of Aphile’s life forever: if she could reach for the stars, then so could he. Being bullied was a big part of Aphile’s youth, which took a toll on his self-confidence, but he was able to heal his trauma through his career choice. Being a high fashion model is no bed of roses, however, and he’s had to learn to grow a thick skin to keep his morale high. He is inspired by the growth of local luxury brands, such as Maxhosa, Rich Mnisi and Thebe Magugu, and says the high fashion industry is growing “in leaps and bounds”. Qualifications Bachelor of Arts (Journalism and Strategic Communications), University of Johannesburg
“WE RISE BY LIFTING OTHERS.”
Achievements My first time doing castings for Paris Fashion Week, I landed a gig with Yves Saint Laurent. I was a part of their Spring/Summer Collection fashion show, which was shot in Venice. This was a dream come true and a reminder that it doesn’t matter where you come from, you can always achieve your dreams and be the best in your field. As someone born and bred in South Africa, I learnt that I should never limit myself and how far my gifts can take me.
Mentors I am inspired by Liesl Laurie-Mthombeni, who was crowned Miss South Africa in 2015. We grew up in the same township, Eldorado Park, which has always been renowned for drugs, gangsterism and crime. When she won the competition, it changed something inside of me. It made me believe that my dreams are possible, because if someone like her who comes from the same background as I do can achieve something so monumental, then surely, I can do it too. I became more fearless in the pursuit of excellence.
BEING A HIGH FASHION MODEL IS NO BED OF ROSES, HOWEVER, AND HE’S HAD TO LEARN TO GROW A THICK SKIN TO KEEP HIS MORALE HIGH.
ALUMNI IMPUMELELO 29
Made with FlippingBook Digital Proposal Creator