{"id":2000126120,"date":"2026-09-16T18:37:09","date_gmt":"2026-09-16T16:37:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/?p=2000126120"},"modified":"2026-09-16T18:38:52","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T16:38:52","slug":"jean-teckno-opens-up-on-the-real-cost-of-being-a-model-and-his-journey-to-global-runways-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/jean-teckno-opens-up-on-the-real-cost-of-being-a-model-and-his-journey-to-global-runways-video\/","title":{"rendered":"Jean Teckno opens up on the real cost of being a model and his journey to global runways (Video)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

At 27, Teckno has established himself as one of Rwanda\u2019s recognised male models, building a career that has taken him from university pageants to major fashion events in Rwanda and international stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, and raised in Rwanda, Teckno completed his studies in Uganda, where he earned a Bachelor\u2019s degree in Business Administration from East African University in Kansanga, graduating at the top of his class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking in an exclusive interview with IGIHE, Techno said his modelling journey gained momentum when he was crowned Mr University 2018\u20132019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The title came with opportunities including free tuition, a stipend, an office and television appearances on Ugandan stations such as NTV and NBS to promote the university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It also opened doors to modelling opportunities through Black Models Kenya, allowing him to participate in fashion events across the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After returning to Rwanda in August 2019, Teckno continued pursuing modelling. In 2023, he won Rwanda Global Top Model and became Rwanda Top Model for 2023\u20132024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The achievement took him to Dubai on an all-expenses-paid trip, where he experienced a different level of compensation for modelling work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He says he received $500 for an hour on stage, which made him reflect on the difference between international and local modelling markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was so shocked to see the money they are paying us. When I compared it with the money I\u2019m getting from my country, I was like, \u2018No good,\u2019\u201d Teckno told IGIHE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Rwandan model Jean Teckno has built a modelling career that has taken him from university pageants to international fashion stages<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His career has since been marked by several awards. He won the Karisimbi Award for Best Male Model of the Year in 2023, 2024 and 2025. In 2025, he was also named Best Stylish of the Year, while he won Best Male Summer Model of the Year from Supra Company for 2024\u20132025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teckno has worked with major fashion and entertainment events including Kigali Fashion Week, Karisimbi Awards, Supra Awards, Rwanda Global Top Model, Agaciro Fashion Gala, Kigali Festival, Video Vixen Awards and Rimba Fashion Show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He has also appeared in music videos featuring artists such as Eazy, Marina, Bushali, Kevin Kade, Ishi Kevin and Phil Peter. His credits include \u201cBasi Sori,\u201d \u201cEden,\u201d \u201cJugumira,\u201d and \u201cVanilla.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His international experience extends to Dubai, Nigeria, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Tanzania.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hidden cost of modelling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Behind the glamour of the runway, Teckno says models face challenges that are rarely visible to the public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the interview, he identified low pay and unfair casting practices among the biggest problems affecting models in Rwanda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He says models can sometimes travel from outside Kigali, spend money on transport and accommodation and attend castings only to discover that the final choices had already been made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jean Teckno says his experience in international markets has shown him the opportunities and challenges facing models in Rwanda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Teckno also believes models deserve greater recognition because they are central to fashion events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWithout a model, I don\u2019t think that any event would be an event,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He argues that the financial value of models is sometimes overlooked despite the significant investments made in fashion events, including spending on venues, production, photography and other services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His international experiences have further highlighted these differences. He says he encountered stronger professional structures, greater respect for fashion professionals and better financial compensation in some foreign markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nevertheless, he remains proud of representing Rwanda and says international opportunities have helped him gain exposure and build professional connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A call for change in Rwanda\u2019s fashion industry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Teckno believes Rwanda\u2019s modelling industry has significant potential but requires greater collaboration between models, organisers and the media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He says fashion receives less media attention than sectors such as sports, which limits the visibility of models, designers and other fashion professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He wants journalists to cover fashion events more consistently and organisers to recognise the contribution of models and other creative professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also believes models themselves must create a stronger sense of community instead of allowing competition to divide them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe need to love each other. Which generation are we building?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking ahead, Teckno has ambitions that extend beyond becoming a successful model. He hopes to walk on major runways in fashion capitals such as Milan and Paris, launch his own fashion line and contribute to building a stronger modelling industry in Rwanda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also wants to mentor young models and create opportunities for people entering the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI want to see myself changing what people have failed to change. At least I put a milestone,\u201d he told IGIHE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For aspiring models, his advice is straightforward: remain authentic, build discipline and believe in yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also encourages parents to support their children’s talents while ensuring they receive an education. His own experience, he says, demonstrates that academic education and a creative career can complement each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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