Television
personality, Denrele Edun, has recounted how a fashion designer once told him
that he looked like a malnourished Somalian.
The 37-year-old model shared his early day’s experience in the fashion industry via Instagram on Thursday.
“1999. Shola
Creative Studios, SuruLere. An (Androgynous) Male Model has to be
psychologically strong; there’s a lot of rejection! In the spirit of
FashionWeek, allow me dig out my dusty portfolios and throwback my first ever
professional modeling shot!
“Despite d
disgusted looks from passers by, I walked with my defiant confidence to d local
bus-stop to board a Molue that’ll take me to another Designer’s showroom. I had
developed a knack for appearing at Fashion Designer showrooms and their houses
to present my pictures & my overwhelming personality. All in a bid to
convince them to walk in their shows.
Mind you; I
was the shortest, skinniest Male Model at that time, but that didn’t deter me.
The Hustle was real! I got to a designer’s house and saw a cluster of top
models. They all burst into laughter when I walked past but then, who cared?
Sighting a familiar face, I ran up to her and was told fittings had begun. In
my usual bravado, i saw the designer & walked up to him.
Moment i
introduced myself & my intentions, he stared me down and asked, “Are
you a Refugee?”. “No Sir, but I’m the model with a unique look who’ll
love to walk for u,” I threw back confidently. He looked me up and down and said, “U
can never walk on my runway. U look like a malnourished Somalian refugee”,
and with that he faced his tailors & continued giving directives,” he wrote
in parts.
In March, Denrele Edun shared a video of his visit to the
former first lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan.
Denrele, born Adenrele Oluwafemi Edun, is a Nigerian television host, whose work has been recognized with awards including The Best TV Personality at the NEAs in 2011.
He was born
in Hamburg, Germany, to a Yoruba father and an Indian-Mauritius mother.
