Khanyisile Masina is in her post-influencer era. The profession, considered by many to be the digital age’s version of a ‘princess fairytale’ – is still coveted and aspired to by many. Imagine being asked to attend events, or be paid, simply for being you? For Khanyisile, this was a dream come true at first; until it wasn’t. There is still a requirement for influencers/models to be moulded by brands; a blank canvas, as it were, who can express the brand’s products or intentions through the popularity and esteem of a person’s online fame. The young model and make-up artist wanted something different; to express herself in the multitude of ways that she had felt, bubbling up to the surface. When COVID hit, it provided the perfect refuge in which make-up and fashion could be a testing ground for Khanyisile – and now, she is most known for her unbelievable array of characters, looks and moments; no longer bound just by brands, but rather whatever mood Khanyisile is in. That’s a kind of profound growth and liberation for a young Gen-Z growing up in cyberspace.
“When I started off in the industry, it was with a group of friends and it was a lot of influencer gigs. I had this conversation with someone who pointed out that my friend and I were like a package deal, we all came together – and it hit me that I didn’t want that. I wanted my uniqueness to come through, and be my own person. It was dope, and it was my starting point, but I have always wanted my originality to stand out. That was my entry into being an artist, and using myself as a canvas for what I want to express.” Khanyisile says, and I am reminded of the infamous quote by Nigerian artist Oroma Elewa, who said “I am my own muse. I am the subject I know best. The subject I want to know better.” Khanyisile spends a lot of time in her own space these days, creating looks – and I ask, where does it come from within Khanyisile to express herseful to the fullest? On this, she says “I have actually been thinking about it a lot, lately. I didn’t really go to school for art, but I think my exposure to being on set – doing shoots – and seeing how fashion and beauty can create dreams, allows me to be the many versions of myself that I feel on the inside, in the outside world.”
In asking what kind of career titles Khanyisile aligns with, I am challenged in my own thinking – and understand why her job epitaph on IG is ‘GAME CHARACTER.’ Khanysile says, “I’m still trying to figure out who I am or what I want to do. I definitely align with being called a make-up artist, and I use a multimedia approach in creating, styling, shooting and editing all my own content. I also make a lot of my own clothing. It’s like a full time creative job. ” In this way, I think it’s important to know that content-creators and influencers run full time jobs and careers; we only see the final image or reel, but so much work goes into it. As for Khanyisile’s favourite characters that she’s created at the moment, she reflects, “My favourite character at the moment are the versions I did of myself as the Powerpuff Girls. I love Bubbles, Buttercup and Blossom; but I was wanting to elevate them to a cyber-vibe, in my way of expressing who these girl-powered, crime-fighting characters are. I like that costume-style makeup that you see in films, and can be a whole world of play.” With the beauty and makeup industries constantly selling us this idea of being the hottest versions of ourselves; it is wonderful to be in conversation with a young creative like Khanyisile, for whom these are merely tools to achieve bringing her own essence into the world. Yes, it can be about getting the perfect brow; but it can also be so much more.
With an impressive modelling resume for brands like Rich Mnisi, Diesel, Dickies and as a regular attendee for events by Daily Paper, H&M and adidas – it is wild to consider that Khanyisile has only just finished her undergraduate studies in fashion – with her brand DDMMYY being one to seriously watch. Now, 2023 is a year in which she can let the universe show her the way. Whether it’s modelling, fashion, beauty or art – Khanyisile Masina is an example of dissolving the boundaries across all of these into one, visually stunning career. We love to see it.
Written by: Holly Beaton
Published: 13 February 2023
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