thefashionroundtable
Honest fashion conversations from Nigeria 🇳🇬
thefashionroundtable
I started modeling at 14 Ft Ruth Vader
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We sat down with a seasoned top model Ruth Vader to talk about what it really takes to build a career in modeling beyond the glam.
From how she got started, to handling rejection, navigating body standards, and the realities of pricing and agency representation, this is an honest and unfiltered conversation every aspiring model and fashion lover needs to hear.
She opens up about wearing outfits she’s not comfortable in, and what brands need to understand about models especially when it comes to representation and plus-size modeling.
If you’ve ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes in the modeling industry, this episode is for you.
Watch till the end for her advice to young models.
Like, comment and subscribe for more conversations.
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Intro
01:04 – How Ruth got started as a model
02:50 – Types of modeling and niches
05:55 – Should new models join an agency
06:15 – Representation in the modeling industry
09:02 – Handling rejection
09:45 – Pressure to look a certain way
10:30 – Do Nigerian models get international recognition
13:30 – Credit Direct Hype
15:27 – Pricing and how much models earn
16:30 – Campaigns you didn’t like
17:10 – Wearing outfits you’re not comfortable in
20:22 – Turning down shoots
22:50 – Modeling schools vs agencies
27:39 – Advice to aspiring models
32:07 – Being a plus-size model experience
32:58 – What models want brands to understand
Let’s connect — follow me across all social platforms for more.
#TheFashionRoundtable #ModelingInNigeria #FashionIndustry #ModelLife #PlusSizeModel
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This episode is brought to you by Credit Direct. Every week we pull back the curtain on the Nigerian fashion industry, the wins, the struggles, and the stories behind the clothes. In the studio with me today, I've got someone who not just wears the clothes, she models the clothes and even makes them look better. My name is Baby Olateriolakbeggy, and welcome to the fashion roundtable. My guest today is supermodel Ruth Okorafor, popularly known as Ruth Vader. Woo! Even if we don't clap for me, we clap for our beauty, please. Please. Welcome. Thank you. Thank you very much for coming to our show. And I want you to first of all start by telling us how you got started as a model.
SPEAKER_00So when I was about 14, 15-ish, my dad used to work, used to work in the bank, and then there's this colleague of his that's that wanted to start a magazine for teenagers. And then she reached out to her colleagues and then told them about it, and then told them that she wanted faces for her magazine, cover page, and all of that. And then I was like, yeah, it's a teenager at home now. And I was skinny. Yeah, I was really skinny. And then I went for the shoot. I was quite stiff, but I mean it was your first job, yes. And I was very young. I I didn't know anything about modeling. I just went to take pictures. And it came out really nice. Oh nice. Really nice. And then afterwards I saw at I think in Comeo magazine at that time that there's this modeling contest, Elite Model look. It's now called Future Office.
SPEAKER_01Yes, yes, yes.
SPEAKER_00So I contested. I was about, I think I was third round-up or second round-up. And I was like 15 when I went for it. So that's how Bodin started for me.
SPEAKER_01Okay. So after coming third in that competition, were you retained by that agency? Yes, I was. Oh, okay.
SPEAKER_00And from there you started to do my post because of school.
SPEAKER_01Okay.
SPEAKER_00Then when I came back, I was already a size 10.
SPEAKER_01Okay.
SPEAKER_00And then increased to 12. Uh-huh. And then COVID happened. And then I increased again. So as I was growing, I was getting bigger. Yeah. But but then I didn't just stay big or I kind of kept I was I was going to the gym. Okay. So I tried to put myself in shape.
SPEAKER_01And then from there, you know, okay, okay, that sounds interesting. So shout out to your dad for giving you the start, first of all. Exactly the push. And my question is sorry, I'm looking for my card. Hold on, cut, cut, cut, cut, cut. I'm looking for my card. Yeah. Okay. Let's go. Okay. So after COVID, you continue doing your thing, brands were still reaching out. Um, what sort of modeling would you say you do? Or you do now? The reason I'm asking is because I've seen you in different spots. I've seen you on the runway, I've seen you in campaigns, I've seen you on Instagram for fast fashion um brands as well. So, what sort of modeling do you do and how many kinds? Or you can tell can you tell us like the different kinds that they are in Nigeria at least?
SPEAKER_00Um there's fashion modeling, there's um commercial modeling for TV commercials and and stuff. Okay. There's fashion modeling is basically what I do campaign, um, photo shoots, and then there's runway. Those are like the three major branches. Then there's there's fist modeling to beauty modeling. I don't I don't do too much of that because it's a lot, and then the pay is not it's not great. Yeah, so there are various types, and then I do runway, I do commercials, and I do fashion modeling.
SPEAKER_01Okay. I think like the first time I probably really know I've probably seen you before that, but the first time I probably noticed you was a year or two ago, you were wearing this silver dress from Desiree Yama, and I was like, this dress, if it fits this babe, it will fit me. I must, I must guess this just I got it, and I wore it for my birthday last year. But that was probably the first time I noticed, and then you've I know that you've worked for so many Nigerian uh fashion brands. Now, with social media, um it has opened like a whole new dimension for models because before we had to turn to maybe runway shows or should I say uh actual physical magazines. Magazines, yeah. Yeah, so now you have fashion brands that are being forced. I'll say the word forced because I'm a fashion entrepreneur. And now you can't just post pictures and go. You have to do reels, you have to do content, you have to do different things. So um you you've obviously started doing this as well. Now, as a fashion, would you call that fashion modeling? Like if a brand says, I have a new campaign or have a new collection, I want you to model the clothes, but apart from taking pictures, there's also reels.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, and like just like video content.
SPEAKER_01Video content. So you have so you do charge separately for that, or it's like all it is.
SPEAKER_00So if you're doing just video content, there's a route for that. If you're doing a campaign and then you want to infuse videos, then it's fine.
SPEAKER_01All of that.
SPEAKER_00I work with time.
SPEAKER_01Okay, so it's per hour. Are you signed to like do you have like a manager or are you signed to like any agency, or how does this work for you? Um, okay.
SPEAKER_00This is going to be a problem, but okay. So you remember I talked about how I started modeling. I used to be with Beth. I stopped because of school, then I went back. And then since my contract ended with them, I still have this, it's this thing they call it, it's like non-exclusive. So I get jobs from them, but I still do my thing.
SPEAKER_01Okay. So if a job comes from them, they take their cuts and all that. Okay. Will you say it's better for a model to be signed to an agency or be on your own?
SPEAKER_00If you're fresh, I think you should be signed. Okay, so that you can learn, just know your ways, just learn the process.
SPEAKER_01Okay. So you modeled as a skinny model, you modeled as a full-size model. Um, what are the the pressures? Is there, first of all, is there any is there enough representation in modeling in Nigeria? And this is why I ask, because a few years ago, we couldn't, there were no plus size models.
SPEAKER_00Of course, yeah.
SPEAKER_01And now you see plus size models not just in campaigns, but also on the runway. Um, do you think there's enough representation? And it's not just body type. I'm thinking even like skin tone or you know, yeah.
SPEAKER_00No, that's it's not enough.
SPEAKER_01Okay, tell us why.
SPEAKER_00Well, um I I just I I like and I enjoy to see plus size model is because there's a shift. But then I feel like it's not enough yet. I don't know if if it is confidence, there's a problem with female models, but I just feel like we need to do more.
SPEAKER_01There need to be more plus size models. Okay, even the even in the plus size model um conversation, there's I've seen conversations where oh you're picking only certain types of plus size models, oh yeah, picking plus size models that have hourglass shapes. What about those that don't have hourglass shapes? And I'm just like, voila. So how are you going to because not all skinny models are or not all quote-unquote normal models have a particular, have the same body type exactly.
SPEAKER_00So there's something I always say, and I learned this from a friend. Everyone can be a model, but everyone is not a model.
SPEAKER_01Explain no.
SPEAKER_00You can't, you worked on the wrong way.
SPEAKER_01But then did you see my video where I was making fun of myself? Where I was. If you guys see this clip, was it your first time? It was my second time. But it had been a long time.
SPEAKER_00Time ago. That's the thing. If you if you if you were consistent, you would just be better from the first time till when you when you when you did it.
SPEAKER_01Okay, so say that word, say that sentence again.
SPEAKER_00Everybody everyone, everyone can be a model, but everyone is not a model.
SPEAKER_01Okay, so you can do it maybe as a one-off, but not everyone can do it the way professionally would do it. How does it okay? Go ahead.
SPEAKER_00Just know your type, know your body type, know if it works in the industry at that time. Because obviously there will be a shift and then there'll be a term that it is that's your body size or body type that will be needed. Plus size was not almost not a thing before. Now it is. So now I I feel like we're moving to the part where any body size can be a model. Because it wasn't there before. Okay, now they want a particular type or a particular figure. Before you know it, they would come to terms with don't worry, you're fine, you can do the job, you have the passion for it, go for it.
SPEAKER_01Okay. Okay. But how do you handle rejection? For example, uh, do you and how do you do you let me give an example now? Say someone, a brand is looking for models. Do you still attend like auditions and things like that?
SPEAKER_00It depends on the type of audition. I don't go for all auditions.
SPEAKER_01Like open auditions.
SPEAKER_00No, I I am very selective. It has to be a very good brand.
SPEAKER_01Okay. Or a very well-known brand, or reputable brand. Yeah. Okay, all right.
SPEAKER_00So I feel like re um accepting rejection is a personal thing. It just depends on you. Personally, if I don't get selected, I know it's for a reason. Try to know the reason and then work towards it. Okay. Okay.
SPEAKER_01Okay. Do you have pressure on you to look a certain way? Like even as a plus size model, I know that you mentioned that you go to the gym. Do people, I think sometimes people might think that being a plus size model means you just, okay, just be eating. Just be just be big. Just not be skinny. So what like some people I'm have even asked, why are you going to the gym? Are you not you're a plus-size model already? Why are you going to the gym?
SPEAKER_00I've had that question. Yeah. And then people see, but your tummy is not big now. Why are you still at the gym? It's my body, it's health. It's just me. It's what I want. If I choose to go skinny, it's still my choice. You still want to look fit or look or stay healthy. That's the idea behind Booking O.
SPEAKER_01Now, there's been a lot of attention on the Nigerian fashion scene. As I'd say, like in the past couple of years, lots of designers are now dressing people who are not Nigerian, who have never set foot in Nigeria. We're hearing of Nigerian designers winning competitions abroad, getting uh recognition. A few Nigerian designers got, I think, grants from Beyoncé a couple of years ago. I think they all got like $5,000 grants, which is a good amount for any business owner, whether you're a designer or not. So they're, you know, they're getting recognition here and there. Um, do you feel like Nigerian models are also making the same waves?
SPEAKER_00Um, so it's not so easy for us, for local models, to go international. The route is a lot. It's not it's not easy. That's the word. So, but for those that have gone out, that we know we have celebrity models. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, so I feel like it's not bad. It's it's not bad. There's hope.
SPEAKER_01I mean, I know that when I was growing up, the two girls that everyone used to talk about were Agbani and Oluchi. Oluchi won Face of Africa, Agbani was Miss Universe, and then we heard, like, I think there were one or two prominent modeling competitions. There was a lady, I can't remember her name now, used to hold these modeling competitions and take models abroad. And then also Beth came along as well. And then what we would hear is that a lot of the models or some of the models that would win or will be signed to Beth, she'd then send them abroad to compete for elite. And a lot of times they would do well. In some cases, she used to complain about how she, meaning Eloho, will complain about how the how getting a visa was difficult for these models, especially their young models, um, they don't have um travel history, so getting a visa, but still, through all through, every time I see her, I tell her, Well done. I couldn't do what you're doing. She's doing a great job. It's not easy, you know. And some of these models end up to go, end up bagging um deals with Prada, Gucci, this brand, that brand, and things that people could only dream of, like in their wildest dreams. So, shout out to her and everyone else who is doing their thing because to break out of here as a model. See, okay, for a designer, all it takes is not let me not say all it takes, but one day a celebrity can show up and they are like, Oh yeah, bring dress, let them wear, and the next thing, boom, your design is all over the place. But for a model, it's different. It's different, it's different. Now, for a do you see this sort of future or journey for a plus-size model?
SPEAKER_00Uh I see it in the future. Yeah, it's workable because they have they have plus size models abroad that are doing well.
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SPEAKER_00So I it's possible.
SPEAKER_01It's possible.
SPEAKER_00So I was talking to a friend, she used to be a booker for an agency before she jacked. Okay. I I asked her if if there would be a thing like that, a sort of thing like that. And then she was like, of course, that's especially me or my face can sell in London. And like, oh okay. She's like, yeah, that if I push it, it's workable. Okay. So there's there's hope.
SPEAKER_01So if a brand wants to, for example, book you for a whole campaign, for instance, I'm not saying you should give us your exact rates, but give us a range starting from full day.
SPEAKER_00Eh? Full day.
SPEAKER_01Full day. So like you said, you book, you book per hour.
SPEAKER_00So if your brand is not our hour, but half day, then full day.
SPEAKER_01Half day is how many hours? Five hours. Okay, full days, eight hours. Okay, for a full day.
SPEAKER_00Afterwards, I start to charge hourly. Okay. After eight hours, because it's a long day already. Yeah. So so yeah.
SPEAKER_01So what's the range? What's the range they should start from?
SPEAKER_00Range for half day. I mean full day. Yeah.
SPEAKER_01I know I nobody thinks they're expensive. Nobody thinks they're expensive.
SPEAKER_00Okay. Um from 500-ish upwards.
SPEAKER_01Okay. So you go there, you do the thing. Have you ever done campaigns where you did not like the clothes at all? But you're like, well, this is my job. Let me just okay. You're like, it's easy.
SPEAKER_00Sure, pimmy, and let me go. I just get this over and done with sometimes it's not even the clothes, sometimes it's the hair and the makeup.
SPEAKER_01Not good or conditioning.
SPEAKER_00I just try to draw strands from everywhere to just look good for the for the shit.
SPEAKER_01What if you're not comfortable with the way the clothes feel? So because it's fashion, it's an artistic expression, right? So let me paint you this scenario. You've spoken to an agent, I'm sorry, to a brand, a client, basically. They want you to shoot their campaign. Do you ask to see the clothes ahead of time?
SPEAKER_00No, I don't.
SPEAKER_01So you get there and they want you to wear this see-through outfit that's showing everything, like nipples. Like you see-through, it's showing everything. I don't know what's your you do you understand if you see your your eyebrows are showing up. And you're like, what in the world? Like you're not comfortable with the clothes. What would you say? What would you do?
SPEAKER_00Uh usually I I I always advise for fit-ins so that I know what I'm getting involved in. I don't stress with brands that I know. Okay. Because I know their niche, I know what they're doing. You know that they're style. Their style, yes. So if I hey God, I was I just trying to paint the scenery in my head. I get to shoot and then I see that there's But the clothes are really, really scanty.
SPEAKER_01Like.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. I'll just let them know that I have limits.
SPEAKER_01Okay.
SPEAKER_00I can't wear the outfit. And then I've worked with brands that contacted me for swimwear. So I thought I don't do swimming. For swimwear, okay. I don't do swimwear. Except they all have cover-ups. Okay. I'm fine.
SPEAKER_01Okay.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_01Okay.
SPEAKER_00I'll just let them know that I have limits.
SPEAKER_01So there's the reason I'm asking is because there's a young man or young lady somewhere watching and thinking, do I have a say in what's um what I'm giving to wear for a client? I remember attending a very popular fashion event years ago before before Instagram even existed. And I think it I don't even think maybe Facebook was just starting then. And a top model, I'm not going to mention who was giving this outfit where it literally was two strings. I kid you not, it was two strings. The dress started from under the breasts. And it was literally two strings, and her boobs were hanging out. And I know how scattered it can be at fashion shows because she modeled several outfits that night. And she came out and the cameras were flashing, flashing, fashion. And I was, and she was visibly uncomfortable. It wasn't VI, I'll never forget. She was very uncomfortable, and the cameras were flashing. Now, luckily for her, again, the industry the internet was not a thing then. I think one or two, and what we had, there were no gossip blogs then. What we had were your city people and your encomium, the gossip magazines. I think they published the pictures, but even they blurred like the breast because her entire everything was out. She had no bra on. It was literally show. It was a fashion show. You know, and she was very uncomfortable. Luckily, you can't find those pictures today. Nobody should go and look at that's why I don't mention anybody's name. But you could tell that she was uncomfortable. She kept doing like this. Unfortunately, it was two strings. So there's no string that's gonna cover, you know, you know, and and she felt so uncomfortable. And this is someone who was popular, super popular, then she's even still super popular now. Maybe Gen Z will not know her shaggle. You don't know anybody. But anyway, but I was just like, okay, so in cases like that, how do you you you say this is my limit, this is what I can do. This is what I cannot do. What about have you ever turned down jobs? Maybe it's not necessarily fashion, for example, like like a a video shoot, like a like a movie, like a what's it called? Like a music video. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00I have I have. Okay. I always tell them my limits.
SPEAKER_01Okay.
SPEAKER_00So there's this agent I work with for music videos. I told him it was even the one that forced me or begged me into music. I don't do music videos because of those kind of things. Um I'm very conserved.
SPEAKER_01Conservative.
SPEAKER_00Conservative, sorry. So when he talked to me about music video, I'm like, okay, fine. But please. I'm not dancing. Not this. Let us know this and no peace. I don't, there's a limit to what I can do. I'm a model, I'm not a dancer. And then even as a model, I still have limits. I will not wear pantamora. I cannot do it.
SPEAKER_01I think that people need to understand it's like in like different there's different types of models. There are, you can get a fashion model and put her in a video, depending on what the video is, what she's what she's supposed to do in the video. Maybe look cute, look beautiful. He's just singing to her and she's smiling and blushing. As opposed to then they are video vixens, yes, which again, not everybody can do because they have to know the mannerism or how to look sexy, how to look beautiful, how to look this way, that way. And not everybody can do that. I mean, one person that's that I think has that that can do it is I gosh, she's an actress, Beverly Beverly? Yes, she's a great, like I think she was. I saw her once in one Kiss Daniel video, and I was just like, What? And she wasn't doing, she wasn't twerking, she wasn't doing anything crazy, but it was just she just knew what to do. It couldn't be my awkward ass because it won't just take pictures. By the time you do shoop, shoop, I'm like, I'm tired. I'm tired. So, like, what does a model have to do to be a better model? How do you study how to pose? How do you study how to move your body? How do you study how to smile, to make faces? I mean, I grew up on watching Tyra Banks, America's Next Top Model, and I used to watch her. She said, Smise. I'm like, smile? How am I supposed to smile? It's like, who how do you learn, for example, if if a a beginner or someone who's never done it before says, How do I, is there, you know, apart from maybe enrolling in a school of modeling, for example, or an academy, for example, how does a person
SPEAKER_00Um first off, you need to have the passion for modeling. Because that's modeling is a lot. It's actually a lot. When you feel like you know a lot, you go and you meet people and then they tell you, no, don't smile like that. No, don't do that.
SPEAKER_01Okay.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. So first, what I tell fresh models is that stand in front of the mirror. Look at yourself head to to first off know your strength. If your face is your selling point, put your face in front of that camera. If it's your body, learn to move your body. Okay. Know what works for you. If you have a good smile, try to smile and then learn to smile with your eyes. That's another thing. Okay. You're almost there, but don't smile, but let your eyes smile.
SPEAKER_01I feel like I look crazy. That's what I'm used to say. Smile. Open your eyes, smile. I'm like, yeah, because it's it's not easy. People just think it's just to go there and stand and pose. It comes to some people naturally, and to some of us, the Lord is in control. I couldn't help but laugh at myself when I saw the video. Yeah, because uh for those who are wondering what we're talking about, so fashion week just concluded. We both worked for Desiree Yama. Um, and you know, once I had practiced, I practiced at home because she gave us the music. I practiced at home, and I was thinking to myself, go girl, yeah, yeah, you can do it. Um as I was about to get on stage, just I thought we were still just queuing, just waiting. And then the the person that was commenting to you said, Go. I said, Jesus. The model in front of me just started laughing. She said, What do you mean by Jesus? I said, Jesus. And then I got on stage and the lights whoosh. And people were here. People were here. Um, I was just like, if you fall, everybody will talk about you. Yeah. That's what I was just saying to myself. If you fall, everybody will talk about you. Know what you are doing, though. Know how you are. Listen, and it was it was so funny. I was just like, oh my God. At the end of it, I was just like, okay, I tried. I need more practice for sure, but it's not easy. And then to get that money shot at the end or as you're walking, it's one thing. You're just you're walking, you're showing the clothes. But at the end of the runway is a bunch of photographers and videographers and media, and then they are looking for that beautiful shot. And so for the girls and guys who are able to just nail it, shout out to you, shout out to you, because it's not, and it's not just by having a nice look or just being beautiful or whatever it is. And the modeling, how do I explain it now? The modeling world is so wild because I remember watching again America's Next Top Model. Even there was a time, I think Oluchi did um Africa's Next Top Model. Yeah, and they'll be discussing, and I'm like, what are they talking about? They'll be like, oh, this person's look, one person is great for commercial, one person is great for editorial. Like, it's a it's there's a lot to study. So I think that a lot of people also need to do a lot of research and study.
SPEAKER_00And then know how it works. And then if you're if you're if you're going if you're going for fashion modeling, first you need to have the height. Because people people feel like uh they should be um it should be um what's the word exclusive.
SPEAKER_01When you say fashion modeling are those who work on the runway. I know fashion shoots.
SPEAKER_00Fashion shoots campaigns and all of that.
SPEAKER_01Okay. Well, there are some short people who actually have the same thing now.
SPEAKER_00That's like a trend now. That's why I said there's a shift. So even short people can still do it. If you can, if you have the strength, if you have the persona, the yes, go for it.
SPEAKER_01And you have the like the look, or you know what to do.
SPEAKER_00You know how to pose.
SPEAKER_01Okay, because there are some people, I can't remember her name now. Um, I think she's an influenza, but every time I see her in people's clothes, like I feel like she sells the outfit to me, basically. And and that's and I think that that's that is an attribute of a great model. Because someone said someone called, um, someone said to me one day, models are human hangers for clothes, basically, that they help you showcase the clothes. And if a model cannot sell the clothes, then what are you there for? You're not aware of it. Basically, or what you're not selling the product or whatever it is. So, okay, okay, cool. And what will you say to someone who is just starting out? They've never done anything before. Like you said, you said, look at your selling point. Should they approach agents or agencies, or should they just approach brands directly?
SPEAKER_00I know I I advise fresh models to be with an agency. It would help you. They would there's always a push. They would push you to brands, they would train you, they will let you know things you need to know, even as a model. Wearing designers' outfits and then knowing how to rock it, not to wear an outfit and you're eating on the outfit because stay in the outfit. There are rules, there are things you should do and things you should not do. So the agency would help you with those kind of things. Because you're fresh, you don't know anything. So you just need they are just like guides, and then they still try to push you to to brand.
SPEAKER_01Okay. How do you stay relevant? Because every day new people are entering the industry. So how do you stay relevant? How do you for me?
SPEAKER_00Because it's a different game for plus size. It's not saturated yet. It's not we're not so much. And then fashion world has shifted to knowing that plus size models are also important. So they're always reaching out for plus size models. And because we're not so much for now, for now, they can always and then on my Instagram page, my username is plus size model.
SPEAKER_01Okay. So yeah, when people say, okay.
SPEAKER_00And then I just whatever is what's doing is what's doing well. So just try and be a better person. Work on yourself so that when you're when you're called for for jobs, you know what you're doing. You're not going to because I've I've worked with brands that complain to me. So when I reach out, when brands reach out to me, they're always like, I hope you can puzzle. I hope you can, I hope you can, because I've met other plus size girls, they can't do anything in there. I'm like, don't worry.
SPEAKER_01So when they ask for, for example, um a fashion brand says, Oh, I have a new, maybe I have a new collection and I want you to do it for me. We're gonna take pictures, we're gonna take video content. Now, people are being forced to dance. Do you dance? I dance. I dance. I dance. I mean, I do I the reason why I'm speechless is because I'm a business owner. I've had a fashion brand for over 10 years. I sell shoes for those of those of you who don't know, but me so keep shoes. And I have seen fellow founders dancing, not just dancing, twerking. Some people are wearing revealing clothing, and I'm like, are we still selling clothes or shoes? What are we selling here, bro? Like, I mean, I've seen cases where you know, brands you you're wearing the outfits and they say, okay, they play some music and you just do some steps here and here and there. When that started, were you like, for God's sake, what is this?
SPEAKER_00Like, how do we get here? From where to where?
SPEAKER_01Bola to Jasibayu. Exactly. No, no, I I think also I'm not a model, but as a fashion brand owner, when I want to say, for example, when I got tired of modeling my own shoes myself, I started to reach out to agencies to say, please, I need, but I don't need a face model because a lot of times I want to focus on on their feet, on their hands, and I'll say, Please, can you send me? They're like, Oh, they're sending me these beautiful faces. I've said they're very beautiful, but can I see their like can they can I just see their feet? I'm not a pervert, but I just want to market. You understand? And then some of them, I'm just like, ah, this auntie has not had a pedicure in months. Why, sister? Yeah, but because you never know what body parts they might require. Sometimes, what if it's a jewelry line and they want you to just show like your side view or something? So I think that as a model, I'm not a model, but as just take care of every part of your body because your body is your money in that you are using your body to, and in not in a bad way, yeah. But you are advertising for clothes or hair or your face or whatever it is, basically. It's okay. I mean, I know that you were born with what you were born with, but also try to improve on it. Like you said, you like to stay fit, even though you're a plus-size model, doesn't mean that you don't go to the gym. Um, have you ever been made to feel some type of way bad about being a plus-size model?
SPEAKER_00Maybe not present day, maybe in the beginning or yeah, that was when I was still pushing when I used to go for castings.
SPEAKER_01Okay.
SPEAKER_00So just there you know.
SPEAKER_01How tall are you?
SPEAKER_00Um, my head is funny. Um in between 5'9 and 5'10.
SPEAKER_01Okay, so 5'9 and a half. Okay. I mean, so you make the cutoff, right? Yes, I do. Because I remember like when a certain bank is calling for their fashion, whatever, and they they they do like a model call, and then you see 5'9, yeah. 5'9 and above.
SPEAKER_005'9 is standard.
SPEAKER_01You're lucky. You're very, very lucky that you got that. Yeah. Okay. Is there anything else you would like upcoming models to know, or anything you'd like brands to know? Maybe a pain point for you as a model that happens often and you're like, please, brands.
SPEAKER_00Um I I am I'm very strict when I'm working. So there's no C finish. Okay. Strict as an or yet to work. How many outfits am I wearing? Five outfits. Fine. Who's helping me? If no one is helping me, I'll help myself. Photographer is ready. Am I smiling? Okay, I'm not smiling.
SPEAKER_01Am I You're very professional?
SPEAKER_00I am very professional.
SPEAKER_01Okay.
SPEAKER_00I don't when it's time to play, I play. When it's time to work, I work. I met I I know someone from a shoot. He was one of the photographers. And then we exchanged Instagram. And then I was like, you are very professional. So I'm like, am I supposed to be shining? So I don't, there's no C finish. And I've met models that complain about photographers touching them being disrespectful. I don't, I've not had that experience because I know myself. So same thing with brands. There are brand owners that just come out and they're all saucy and annoying. But human beings.
SPEAKER_01Or they're not like respectful or not.
SPEAKER_00But human beings too. That's that's what I always tell people. Learn or know that we're humans first. Before and before religion or before anything, we're humans first. So treat people the way you want to be treated. Same thing with just it it goes around photographers, makeup artists, hairstylists, fashion designers, everything.
SPEAKER_01I mean, every other day you hear stories of, oh, usually it happens in like the movie scene, oh, they've dazed one makeup artist or they've boxed one production assistant or something. And I'm thinking to myself, just because the person is behind the camera, quote unquote, as part of crew, doesn't make them less than. Do you understand? Everybody has a role to play. Everybody's not going to be in front of the camera. Um, so yeah, good point. Thank you so much for stopping by the fashion round table. Thank you again. We're giving away a gift voucher this week. All you have to do is download the Credit Direct app, show us proof in our DMs, and you could be our winner for the week. Round of applause for our guest, please. Thank you. Thank you so much. See, easy peasy. This episode was brought to you by Credit Direct.