The path to modelling for Canberra-based twins Makhosi and Thabani Mpofu was simple in the kind of way that makes you realise it was inevitable. After being shot by a friend or two, it wasn’t long before the half-Zimbabwean, half-Australian twins were signed to IMG. Seems easy enough, right? At the moment they’re kicking off their careers so we got to know them just ahead of the rest of the world.
i-D: What are you most excited about as a result of modelling?
Makhosi: I want to travel but continue to be the person that I am now—with my friends doing what we want and creating what we have dreamed of, just on the world stage.
Thabani: I’m also excited to travel overseas and work with interesting and innovative people within the industry.
What do you get up to when you’re not modelling?
Makhosi: I’m very interested in fashion, along with writing and making music under the name gUro. I also love creating short films and video art with my friends.
Thabani: I am really into reading, my favourites being The Old Man and the Sea, The Road and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (I consider Hunter S. Thompson to be the craziest yet coolest person to ever live). I am also really into manga —I’m reading JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure right now, which is insane.
What are your favourite things to do alone and together?
Makhosi: Alone, we both like to read, watch films or listen to music. Thabani is a classic literature fan and I prefer kind of obscure occult stuff and Eldritch Horror, I’m a super-fan of H.P Lovecraft. Together we like to talk about Japanese media or debate about whatever current atrocity piques the interest of the collective hive mind of our friendship circle.
What’s exciting for you on the internet right now?
Makhosi: 4chan, absolutely. Since I was 13 this is what has kind of formed my interest in fashion, music and popular culture. I am also interested in anti-surveillance and digital obfuscation, which I spend an unhealthy amount of time researching online. Also the deep web—shout out Dream Market.
Thabani: I feel so humble to be born in a time where if I want to know something I can have access. The world is at my fingertips. But to be more specific I think it’s how people use the internet to create new trends and share inspiration, not only for fashion but art and every other creative outlet as well.
Who’s currently inspiring you?
Makhosi: Ecco2k has always been a massive influence for me, both stylistically and in the music I am making. His use of synthesisers is cool. His fashion is amazing and he has a whole aura about him that is almost inhuman or angelic in the best way possible. He is like some kind of seraphim from the far future.
Thabani: Currently I’m being inspired by a few things. The rap group Drain Gang are creating music I have never heard before. Other artists are interesting include Thouxanbanfauni and Black Kray.
What are your hopes for the rest of 2018?
Thabani: We’re looking forward to really getting into the world of fashion and modelling. My brother and I have only been in it for a very short time but from what we’ve seen so far we can tell it’s insane and interesting and we can’t wait to see more.
Credits
Photographer Bowen Arico
Stylist Charlotte Agnew
Grooming Claire Thomson @ Company 1
Stylists assistant Vicki Liang
Models Makhosi and Thabani @ Peoples Agency, IMG Models
Special thanks to Harrolds