Five Questions with Shantae Leslie
Published:Friday | July 28, 2023 | 12:10 AM
Shantae Leslie is making waves in fashion. The star Pulse model recently returned home from Australia where she made her mark with big brand down under. Leslie appeared in Vogue, nabbed multiple editorials for Marie Claire, and stormed the runway for some of Australia’s finest designers. Now, she is preparing to jet off to Spain and Milan to fulfil fashion duties. With the active September fashion season quickly approaching, she is hoping to make the most important month in fashion, one to remember.
The young Jamaican who hails from Freetown in Clarendon, made her smashing debut with an opening exclusive for Italian fashion powerhouse Prada after being summoned directly from Kingston to Milan to launch the label’s 2022 Fall-Winter collection. But it was Leslie’s winning performance in Pulse’s Caribbean Model Search television event that first got the global fashion movers and shakers to take note. Leslie captivated the attention of agents across the globe after a photo taken in the middle of Half-Way Tree during the CMS TV 2019-20 season, went viral. Pulse was inundated with requests from all the major international agencies to sign the new star to a contract. After some intense bidding, Leslie was signed to IMG in New York, London, Paris, and Milan. And it was in the Italian city of Milan that the 5’11” sensation would make an indelible imprint on global fashion.
Five Questions spoke with the model about fashion and her future.
You were recently sojourned in Australia to work with fashion clients there, what was your experience like?
I had a really amazing time in Australia, although it is winter now ( I am a summer girl!). As far as work, I achieved my goals, there. I made it in Vogue wearing a cool Australian designer, Bondi Born. For my Marie Claire editorials, it was Louis Vuitton and Gucci. I did a couple of campaigns, and for one of them, I was actually on a billboard, plus, of course, I did the resort collections because that was the season there. I got the chance to experience a cool light show and ice skating at the Bondi Festival (which happens each year). I had the chance to visit and shoot at the Sydney Opera House. That was truly special. The view is spectacular, and the sunset was beautiful. The Australians were super kind and friendly, and it was easy for me to adjust and find my way around Sydney.
What advice would you give to budding models?
I would say it is important as a new model to be kind and patient. No one wants to work with an unfriendly person. Do all the necessary things to help you succeed – take care of your body, your mental health, listen to the people who are pushing and encouraging you to be your best. You have to be committed and stick to your dreams. Having a good social media presence is important because clients look at all these things when they are booking jobs. A model competition is good to try out. The Pulse Caribbean Model Search gave me a great start (I won, smile) and now I am having these wonderful experiences working and travelling all over the world.
Your job is filled with much jet-setting across the globe, what are your three travel must-haves?
One, my cell phone; two, my travel kit (which includes my favourite moisturiser, lip gloss, etc); and three, a small notepad for my art sketches.
As you continue to grow in the industry, what are some of your professional goals?
I would like to be on all the Vogue covers. This is a bit ambitious, but I have to dream big. I think every model wants a make-up campaign, and so do I, maybe for Chanel. I want to have a long and very successful career. I am prepared to work hard to achieve these goals. I appreciate all that my Pulse team, along with my bookers at IMG, are doing to help me reach these goals.
What has been your most memorable moment on the runway to date?
That’s such a hard one to pick because I have done so many great shows, and they were all so different. But if I really had to choose, it’s the very first for one Prada. It was pretty exhilarating, all of the different stages of preparation from practising my walk at Pulse before leaving for Milan, going to the Prada headquarters, meeting the Prada team, fittings, hair and make-up, rehearsals then the show. The whole thing was heart racing. It was like I was having an out-of-body experience.
BRAWTA: You left Australia before the Women’s World Cup got into full swing, what message would you want to send to the Reggae Girlz?
I just missed them! I really wish I was there to cheer on the Girlz in person, and I will still be cheering them on to success wherever I am. You guys are already winners and I believe in you, and I think all Jamaicans are in full support of the team. I feel that you will go far in the competition and pray that God will be with you all.