Contributed
Elite and Saint model Venecia Bennett.

Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

Elite and Saint model Venecia Bennett has appeared on the cover of JAMAQUE Magazine. This, she says, is in an effort to be as good or even better than her role model, Naomi Campbell.

She appeared on the cover of the latest issue JAMAQUE Magazine, which is is the latest fashion glossy. The cover of the magazine was shot by renowned fashion photographer Ron Contarsy. She was also featured Essence magazine and opened for Style Week Jamaica.

"It's thrilling to me. I enjoy everything, every moment. It's simple and easy because I love what I do," says Venecia who is from Daniel Town, Trelawny.

Though she is yet to appear on the runway, she is also signed to Elite Milano and has options with Natalie's Paris. However, her modelling journey was started by Saint International through which she was discovered.

"My aunt brought me to Margueritaville for the audition. We went seven in the morning, we had no money and the search wasn't until 1 p.m.," Venecia tells The Sunday Gleaner.

Encouragement

Venecia says her aunt was a great source of encouragement and so too were her friends, as she had little initial interest in modelling. This support from family and friends continued even when she was placed in the top eight of the Faces of Summer. That position guaranteed her a spot on Fashion Faces of the Caribbean, where she was placed second.

Although she placed second, Venecia says she is not at a disadvantage as she has done decent work since.

"I don't think I was at a disadvantage. Everything happened for the best," she says.

The 17-year-old model says she believes she has many years left in modelling.

"I want to be bigger than Naomi Campbell. She is my inspiration, because you hardly find black models in this industry. So to be a black model and for over 20 years it's really amazing," said Venecia, noting that she plans to get tertiary education. She is a graduate of William Knibb Memorial High School in Trelawny.

She added: "If Naomi is 30-something and still going I can do that too."

Her journey was also facilitated by Saint International. "Saint made sure my face was out there," she says.

"I think I fit the criteria they wanted. You have to have the personality to deliver and that I have," she says.

She continues: "My personality, I eat plenty and don't get fat. My look, it's unique. God made me just the right person to do this particular thing."

"This continues to prove that the SAINT is cream of the crop. For Venecia, as a brand-new model, to earn an international cover the first week of modelling, tells the whole story of her superb elegance, style and personality," says Saint International CEO Deiwight Peters

In a release, Jasmine Puranda, managing director of JAMAQUE, says "to make a bold statement about the entry of JAMAQUE in the market we needed a strong, fresh face and lots of stylish personality and we found that in SAINT Model, Venecia".

Venecia says she has faced some challenges, but these will not deter her from trying. One of the problems she has faced is that of trying to be early for her castings.