Model army to invade Cape Town

Cape Town will become the UN of beauty when models from Brazil, Barbados, Ghana, Jamaica, Nigeria, the US, Sweden, Russia and Uganda take part in next week's fashion extravaganza.

Among the 60 female and 50 male models who will hit the runway during the three-day Cape Town Fashion Week will be Brazilian twins Suzana and Suzane Massena; Larecia Hines, who has graced the runway for British designer Vivienne Westwood; Africa's Next Top Model winner Aamito Lagum, from Uganda; and former Mr Angola, Carlos Nascimento, according to event organisers - Africa Fashion International.

The Cape Town Fashion Week - which will showcase the country's top designers, including Gavin Rajah, Craig Port and Kluk CGDT in 15 shows - starts next Thursday at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

"As Africa Fashion International is a platform that celebrates African aesthetic and bridges the gap of global relevance, we are delighted to have both local and international models walking for the designers who are showcasing," said AFI spokesman Sizwe Nzimande.

Local lovelies who will take part include Cape Town teen Eugon McNeill, who left his Kraaifontein home for runways in New York, Paris and Milan; and Kayla Kuyler, who has walked for Calvin Klein and Cavalli.

The Massena twins, who are almost indistinguishable from one another, will not be the only twins at this year's show. They could find themselves upstaged by the chiselled abs of two Boland hotties Alex and Charlie Kotze.

In an interview on the World of Models website, the Brazilian siblings said they were inspired to join the industry by their sister, Suellen, who became a model before them.

"Lots of cool and unusual moments happen simply because we are twins," the pair say. These include the time when Suzane realised she would not have enough time for an outfit change during a show, and her sister, who was in the same show, stepped in for her without anyone knowing the difference.