Refilwe Modiselle (born 2 January 1986) is a South African model and entertainer born in Rockville,

Soweto Soweto () is a township of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality in Gauteng, South Africa, bordering the city's mining belt in the south. Its name is an English syllabic abbreviation for ''South Western Townships''. Formerly a s ...

, and the country's first professional

fashion model A model is a person with a role either to promote, display or advertise commercial products (notably fashion clothing in fashion shows) or to serve as a visual aid for people who are creating works of art or to pose for photography. Thoug ...

with

albinism Albinism is the congenital absence of melanin in an animal or plant resulting in white hair, feathers, scales and skin and pink or blue eyes. Individuals with the condition are referred to as albino. Varied use and interpretation of the term ...

. She started her modelling career at the age of 13 when she was approached by ''Y!'' magazine. She also appeared as a

runway According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and takeoff of aircraft". Runways may be a man-made surface (often asphalt concrete, as ...

model in 2005 for South African designer David Tlale, making her the first albinistic model to appear on a

in South Africa. Modiselle has also had some experience in the music industry, where she performed as a backing vocalist for South African singer Keabetswe "KB" Motsilanyane while in school. She was nominated to the ''

Oprah Magazine ''O, The Oprah Magazine'', also known simply as ''O'', is an American monthly magazine founded by talk show host Oprah Winfrey and Hearst Communications. Overview It was first published on April 19, 2000. , its average paid circulation was ...

'' 2013 "Power List", and began an acting career. She uses the nickname "Vanillablaq" in

social media Social media are interactive media technologies that facilitate the creation and sharing of information, ideas, interests, and other forms of expression through virtual communities and networks. While challenges to the definition of ''social medi ...

Early life and education

Modiselle was born in Rockville, Soweto (in

Gauteng Gauteng ( ) is one of the nine provinces of South Africa. The name in Sotho-Tswana languages means 'place of gold'. Situated on the Highveld, Gauteng is the smallest province by land area in South Africa. Although Gauteng accounts for only ...

, South Africa) where she lived with her mother and father until she was 4 years old, after which her family moved to Orange Grove, Johannesburg. Her family relocated again following the death of her father when she was a girl. She has two younger sisters Bontle and Candice Modiselle who are also in the industry. In high school she was a hard working learner, but other learners would tease and bully her and that led her to focus on her future.

After high school

Following her graduation from high school in Johannesburg, Modiselle studied advertising at Varsity College, graduating with distinction in her course. Throughout her work life Modiselle has accepted modelling work – including modelling for David Tlale at South Africa Fashion Week in 2005. She has also featured in a number of South African print magazines.

Career

Alongside Soweto-born model Tshegofatso Seakgoe, Modiselle was approached by advertising agency Black River FC in 2012 to be the face of female fashion retailer LEGiT’s summer fashion campaign. The campaign formed part of the retailer’s rebranding, and Modiselle was officially named the retailer’s "brand ambassador" at a launch event in Kyalami, Johannesburg, leading to print and online campaigns, as well as a video advertisement aired on South African television. She followed in a line of LEGiT brand ambassadors including TV presenter and actress

Minnie Dlamini Minenhle Dlamini (born 7 July 1990), known as Minnie Dlamini, is a South African on-air personality, actress and model. In 2010 she was selected as the new presenter for the ''SABC 1'' Friday live-music show ''Live Amp''. Early life and educati ...

, TV presenter

Bonang Matheba Bonang Dorothy Matheba (born 25 June 1987), is a South African award-winning television presenter, radio personality, actress and social media personality. Born in Mahikeng, North West, she is known for her flamboyant presenting skills and h ...

, model Noni Gasa, actress and model Zizo Beda, and radio and TV personality Sade Giliberti.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Modiselle, Refilwe 1986 births Living people South African female models People from Soweto People with albinism