Having been selected for the American reality television series Project Runway, Guyanese Clinton Duncan is busy working on set as the series is currently being filmed and is set to be released in the fall.
Being on the show is a dream come through for the model who for years had been obsessed with the television series. Clinton, who also dabbled in theatrical makeup artistry and designing, has been putting more focus on his modelling career.
“It feels like validation in a sense. Modelling is something I’ve been doing since I was six years old. Sometimes you have to leave your hometown before you can get recognition,” Clinton said in an interview with The Scene.
He said that while he was not trying to toot his own horn, some of his old creative portfolio that did not matter here was raved about by supporters in the US where he currently resides. “You might hear a million ‘No’s’ and need to get on a plane before you can get that one ‘Yes’,” he added.
Project Runway is considered one of the top reality fashion shows worldwide where designers showcase their pieces. Models are assigned to the designers. Owing to the show being filmed at the moment, Clinton is unable to provide details as per his contract. However, he did say that the show will be available for viewing on Netflix and Amazon Prime.
Clinton had just finished modelling at New York Fashion Week in February this year when he signed with modelling agency, theFstate, which is located in Texas. It was during this time that he was selected to be on the show.
Clinton, who is recognized among the biggest Guyanese models to have made it internationally, noted that from time to time, other up and coming models would reach out for advice on making it in the industry. He admonishes models to maintain a good personality and to always try to make a good first impression. He noted that one could be the best model but it is a great personality that takes one places. According to the model, it was a first impression that he made on someone almost five years ago that led to him being recommended as a model for Project Runway.
Clinton is also working on a film series set to kick off in August. The local film series is a collaboration with the National School of Theatre Arts and Drama and the Theatre Guild. It is said to be like Merundoi except that it will be aired on television and is geared for a younger audience, featuring rap, poetry, culture, folklore and a bit of scandal.
Additionally, Clinton is putting together a workshop with model Kenny Hercules and international Guyanese Delesa Archer who modelled in Yeezy Season 2, a Kanye West clothing line and for Jerome Lamaar.
The workshop will target models, photographers, makeup artists, hairstylists and creative directors. Applicants would be people who are already in the fashion industry as the workshop is not a foundation package but more of an advanced course. Spaces are limited as each group will only cater for five applicants. As such only those with the best resumes will be selected.
As part of the workshop, students will learn how to create more impressive portfolios to cater for international magazines. There will also be a mini exhibition for them to showcase what they have learnt. The workshop is also slated for August.
In addition to his busy schedule, Clinton is also providing public relations work, style consultation, creative directing and basically anything that has to do with imaging. He noted that his clients include Jackie Jaxx, Nesta Nelson, Tamika Marshall, ReMar and Atasia.
