Dwain Stephens has gone from unknown personal trainer to successful male model and actor in a matter of months, proving that dreams can come true with a bit of good luck and a lot of determination and enthusiasm.

The 33 year old from Enfield Highway in the UK was recently named Best Male Model at the Black Entertainment Film Fashion Television and Arts (BEFFTA) Awards and he is currently one of a handful of male models to have made it through to the final of the Top Model of Colour (TMC) 2011 competition, which will take place in December.

Top Model of Colour is the only modelling competition of its kind in the UK. It’s open to models from all over the world and receives thousands of applications each year. Now in its sixth year the competition continues to provide diverse models with exposure to the industry. Creator Sola Oyebade says: “Top Model of Colour will continually play a pivotal role in promoting models of colour and be a catalyst for change in the industry”.

Dwain’s other achievements this year include a part in the new British gangster film ‘St Georges Day’ and various catwalk modelling jobs, including an appearance at London Fashion Week Autumn 2011. Dwain has worked hard to gain this recent run of successes and is always keen to take on new projects: “The last three months have been so crazy, I’ve gone from personal training to modelling and now I’m acting as well.

“It all started with helping a mate out as a topless waiter, then signing up to an online model agency and it’s just snowballed from there.”

Dwain is extremely health conscious and keeps himself fit by training in the gym and getting involved with various charity based pursuits. He tragically lost his brother to Leukaemia in 2002 and since believes that it is a priority to raise awareness around the disease – which affects the blood or bone marrow. Speaking at the BEFFTA Awards earlier in the year he said:

“I dedicate this to my brother Jason who sadly passed away from leukaemia in 2002. Unfortunately he was unable to find a matched donor on the bone marrow list. I would like more African-Caribbean’s to join the bone marrow register. The African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT) have worked wonders in raising awareness within the black community by organising clinics for people to give just a small sample of their blood. Unlike my brother Jason, there may be someone out there you share a bone marrow match with – you could help save this person’s life. I urge you all to register yourself with the Bone Marrow Register today.

Dwain’s recent accomplishments will undoubtedly provide him with a platform from which to spread this important message, and at Models Direct we certainly wish him every continued success.