Marlon’s journey to the ramp and beyond
View(s):By Shannon Salgadoe
For many, the world of fashion and modelling has always been a source of fascination, but for some, it is not just about the glamour or the limelight. Such is the case for rising talent Marlon Rajendra, whose foray into modelling wasn’t a planned pursuit but rather a path guided by fate.
His journey into the industry began not with auditions or agency calls but with a spiritual mentor’s prophecy. Growing up with an innate interest in fashion, trends, and media, he had always kept an eye on the changing tides of the fashion world. However, it wasn’t until his mentor, Prophet Jerome Fernando, advised him to explore modelling that he began to see the potential in himself. “I started putting my attention towards it, and then automatically the gigs started coming through.”
Marlon Rajendra: A portrait and at CFW 2025 on our Magazine cover
In 2021, he took his first steps into the world of professional modelling with the apparel brand Emerald. A connection through a friend led to a few initial shots, and soon, his career took off with a wave of opportunities. Since then, Marlon has become a familiar face for various prominent brands such as Lovi Ceylon, Hameedia and Cool Planet, with notable appearances for Pizza Hut, Baby Cheramy, People’s Leasing, Maliban and Dialog.
A defining moment in Marlon’s career was his debut at Colombo Fashion Week (CFW) during its 2021 Swim Week Edition. Since then, he has been a regular on the runway for every major edition. “CFW is an amazing experience because there aren’t many ramps in Sri Lanka. It allows us to consistently be part of professional runway shows,” he shares. His debut caught the attention of fashion designer and manager Brian Kerkoven, who mentored him, refining his skills in posing and walking.
Marlon credits his mother, Malkanthi and long-term girlfriend, Ruveka, for their unwavering support, as they have been instrumental in helping him manage his fast-paced career. His faith also plays a crucial role in his life. “I’m heavily involved in church and I believe in my faith, so my prayer life is the secret to how I handle my stress.” Marlon believes that his faith provides him with the strength and wisdom to navigate through the challenges of the industry, allowing him to approach each gig with clarity and grace.
He also has an entrepreneurial side. He runs a social media management company, Ceytal, where he handles social media campaigns and content creation for various clients. His company works with a range of professionals, including models, makeup artists, and stylists, creating social media content and commercials for brands. His keen eye for fashion and media, cultivated through years of experience, serves as the perfect foundation for his business.
While modelling is undoubtedly his main focus, this rising star has bigger dreams in the world of entertainment, where he hopes to expand into acting, having a particular interest in film. His ultimate goal is to diversify into directing and producing, with aspirations of eventually becoming a film director. With so many exciting projects on the horizon, it seems his journey has only just begun.
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