Shine beyond limits: Shakem Charles is 2025 TCI Top Model

By Courtney Robinson, Founder & Executive Producer TCI Top Model Contest ~ Photos By Renau Destine

Photos shot on location at Villa Solara, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands

The summer of 2025 marked more than just the return of the TCI Top Model Contest after a decade-long hiatus. It was an electrifying renaissance. The competition’s co-ed format, combined with multi-media, multi-segment extravaganzas, proved that Caribbean fashion could rival the most prestigious global runways.

From the sharp, urban vibes of Urban Tropics to the sophisticated elegance of Bold Elegance, each segment of the 2025 TCI Top Model event tested the contestants’ versatility, presence, and skill, demanding that they not only embody a diverse array of looks but transform the runway into a storytelling space. The final night was also elevated by a stellar roaster of musical performances. TESS the Entertainer, Mohen Cox, Davonte Missick, and Dwayne Thompson all brought the heat, providing the soundtrack to a fashion spectacle that left the audience breathless.

Shakem Charles channels old-Hollywood polish with a modern edge in a black jacquard two-piece suit, crisp white shirt, and coordinating jacquard tie. His commanding look—sleek lines, luxurious texture, and quiet confidence—make him not just part of the conversation, but the one setting the tone.

In a breathtaking moment where power, poise, and possibility converge, the 2025 TCI Top Model Contest named its trailblazing winner: Shakem Charles. But this victory wasn’t simply about clinching a title. It was a moment that encapsulated a paradign shift in the very fabric of Caribbean fashion. It’s a mindset. It’s the way he walks, the way he lives and—now—the way he leads.

At the exclusive, sun-drenched paradise of Villa Solara—an opulent oceanfront estate nestled within the serene enclave of Turtle Tail in Providenciales—Shakem Charles etched his name into history as the first-ever male winner of the TCI Top Model Contest, Cycle 6. His arrival was nothing short of cinematic. With each stride, his chiseled physique, undeniable charisma, and striking performance stole the spotlight, earning him the coveted title and five additional prestigious awards:  Industry Readiness, Model’s Portfolio Folder, Best Body, Fan Favourite, and Mainstream Media.

But the night wasn’t just a personal triumph for Shakem. It was a cultural milestone for the Caribbean fashion industry. Vincentian-born, TCI-living, and now primed for international acclaim, Shakem is more than a model. He is a symbol of what the future of Caribbean style looks like: bold, fearless, and unapologetically authentic. His victory is about more than breaking barriers. It is about creating a new narrative where Caribbean talent, identity, and beauty personified are not just acknowledged, but celebrated at the highest echelons of fashion.

Joining Shakem in this historic moment was First Runner-Up Hubert Prospere, also exuding an electric energy and depth of Caribbean beauty, hailing from the Turks & Caicos. Together, they formed a dynamic duo that represents TCI’s rich cultural tapestry—a fresh, inclusive vision of fashion that acknowledges no limits. Alongside them, the ever-iconic Brittney Bien-Aime, the TCI Top Model Muse, proved once again why she remains a fixture in the TCI modeling scene, inspiring and mentoring the next generation of fashion talent.

Hair:  Nakier Wilson, Kier’s Hairapy

Makeup: Jasmine Missick, Hello Gorgeous Makeup Artistry

TCI Top Model 2025 Update

Shakem Charles, TCI Top Model 2025; Brittney Bien-Amie, TCI Top Model Muse 2025; and Hubert Prospere, Cycle 6 First Runner-Up, in late August 2025 travelled to the global fashion capital of New York  City. Their goal was to meet with leading fashion and commercial agencies and secure international representation that could launch their careers onto the global stage.

The top duo of the 2025 TCI Top Model Contest command the moment. At center, Gold medalist Shakem stuns in a gold jacquard dinner jacket with shawl lapels and lacquered black slacks. First runner-up Hubert brings drama in a velvet jacket with gilded detailing.

Curated and led by Courtney Robinson, Executive Producer and Founder of the TCI Top Model Contest, the visit was more than a talent showcase—it was a strategic career development initiative aimed at placing TCI models on par with the world’s top talent. He said, “Our meetings confirmed what we already knew—TCI talent is world-class. The response from agencies has been overwhelmingly positive, and our models represented both themselves and the Turks & Caicos Islands with pride, poise, and professionalism.”

TCI Top Model Muse Brittney Bien-Aime turns heads in a lime-green strapless cocktail dress, cut to cling and command. Silver strappy heels add a note of sharp sophistication.

Over several days, the trio participated in a rigorous schedule of agency interviews with top-tier fashion and commercial representation, runway walk assessments, digital photo shoots, and self-taped auditions. Each model left a strong impression on industry executives, setting the stage for potential signings with agencies that have global networks spanning New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, along with London, Milan, and Paris.

Reflecting on his experience, Shakem Charles said, “Walking into those agencies in New York felt like stepping into a vision I’ve carried quietly for years—something I wasn’t sure would happen so soon. It wasn’t just a series of interviews. It was a pivotal moment that sharpened my focus and deepened my resolve. I’m no longer watching from the sidelines—I’m ready to take my place on the world stage.”

What especially stood out to the agencies was the calibre of the models’ portfolios, built in collaboration with TCI Top Model’s creative forces—particularly local photographer Renau Destine, who has been a mainstay of the team since 2012. His work helped shape the visual identity of the competition, ensuring the materials matched the standard of top global talent.

As they return home to await the next chapter, one thing is clear: they didn’t just visit New York—they made their mark.