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If she did not enter the 2016 Miss Maseno University contest, Nivea Debra Awino would today be spending all her days seated in some dusty office full of files sorting out suppliers and their problems.
Today, she is a celebrated beauty queen who has won local pageants, appeared on international advertisements, judged shows and runs a modelling academy.
The Bachelor of Business Administration graduate is in Kisumu to give back to the town that nurtured her talent by organizing a Modeling Masterclass event.
I recently caught up with her and we talked about her career in modeling industry, the upcoming event and what the future holds.
How old were you when you started modeling?
It was in 2016, I was just 20 years old. My first event was a beauty pageant that I joined while in university; Miss Maseno University 2016 where I was a top 5 finalist.
I’m a total orphan, I lived with my brother and sister at the time. They were not really supportive in the beginning. This is because they never really understood what modelling was all about.
I think they just wanted me to focus on my education, graduate and get a “good job” like everyone else. However, as time went by they began to learn more about what I was doing and to appreciate it. They have been one of the biggest pillars in my career as a model.
What was your inspiration to start modeling?
I’ve always been slim, growing up my friends always told me to try modelling. That was back when modelling was only associated with tall and slim people.
Even though they kept mentioning it to me, I never felt that I could be good enough to appear on magazine covers. I had low self-esteem.
What really pushed me beyond my comfort zone was meeting June Lydia, the then Miss Kisumu County (which was a very prestigious title at the time). We ran into each other out of sheer luck at the United Mall,Kisumu.
She stopped me and asked if I was a model. She said I looked like one. I told her I wasn’t one but would love to try it out someday. She encouraged me to go for it and we exchanged contacts.
Later, I told her about the upcoming Miss Maseno University contest and she pushed me to join. My friends at the university also gave me a lot of support and that’s really where the inspiration came from.
What are some of the campaigns/products you have worked on?
I’ve done an ad for Visa Card Nigeria and worked with a lot of designers from all over Africa for different Fashion Shows in the country.
During my reign as miss Environment Kenya 2016/17, I also worked with NEMA and various county governments in campaigning against the use of single-use plastic bags in the country.
What are some of the obstacles you have faced in your career?
The main obstacle I’ve faced in my career as a model and beauty queen is the state of being clueless and naive. I’m naturally a very passionate person and when I put my mind into something I give it my all.
When I started off, I was so clueless. I did not have the right connections in the industry nor a present coach to guide me through the journey. I found myself getting into situations where I would do an event and not get paid.
I never knew anything about contracts or industry rates, I was just working because I loved what I was doing. I just wanted to do as many events as possible.
Sometimes I would do a gig without even knowing what I’m getting paid afterwards and this led to a lot of event organizers taking advantage of me and other models who were as clueless as I was.
Is this what led to you starting ND Modeling Academy?
Partly…..It all started in Maseno University when I was selected to train the models during Mr & Miss Maseno 2017. I really enjoyed coaching the contestants and I definitely knew it was something I wanted to do long-term.
It’s amazing how you can see someone very shy and timid transform into a very confident and powerful person. That kind of satisfaction is what made me take this up.
It also made me look back at how my journey started off, the desire to share what I have learnt with others so that they can also rise to my level if not exceed. This is also partly why we are doing the Kisumu Modeling Masterclass with some of my peers who have also excelled in the industry.
The biggest impact ND MODELING ACADEMY has had is transforming young girls and boys into powerful brands and really great models who are able to get into international modeling spaces around the world.
Let’s talk a bit about the modelling Masterclass you are organizing in Kisumu.
The event is happening on the 30th of May 2021. We realized that there is so much untapped talent in Kisumu and it would be such an honor to come back to my hometown and give mentorship.
The talent here is raw and it reminds us of our ‘clueless’ days when we started.
The purpose of starting the MODELS’ MASTERCLASS AND MENTORSHIP PROGRAM was to give aspiring and established models the right skills and information to help them kickstart their careers in Kenya, Africa and even the World.
I’m so delighted to be doing this in Kisumu with the help of other established models from the town like Winnie Wenger, Tonu Cruz, Tanu, Dior, Emma, Judy, Samantha, Udida and Kysh Roberts.
The event which will be held at Goan Hall opposite Xaverian Primary School is open to anyone with an interest in modeling, including parents and guardians who are considering this as a career path for their children.
We will demystify myths about the industry and just share our collective wealth of knowledge in the industry.
Looking back at where you have come from, what would you say are the highlights of your career?
My biggest highlight is definitely winning Miss Environment Kenya 2016. A young, clueless girl from Kisumu coming to Nairobi to compete against ladies from 47 counties in Kenya and winning. That was big. That was life-changing for me.
That’s when I actually gained self-confidence and believed I could actually do it. Through the pageant, I was introduced to spaces that led to where I am today. I will forever look back at that moment and tell anyone who doesn’t feel like they’re good enough that they can be anything!
I remember how much I cried that night, tears of joy, but also tears of memories of how far I have come. Probably wishing my parents were alive to see me in that moment.
It was unbelievable, I never even imagined myself even getting chosen to be a contestant.
There have been so many other important moments after that. I would single out choreographing the biggest fashion show in Kenya; The JW Show and walking Nairobi Fashion Week. I have also been able to judge various beauty pageants, doing ad campaigns for international brands like Visa Card Nigeria.
Tell me more about the Miss environment Kenya competition, how did you get into it?
There were auditions at the county level where winners from the various devolved units moved to the next level of the competition to represent their county at the national level.
I got into the competition driven by my passion for modelling, not necessarily the environment. This is where my love for environmental conservation would be nurtured.
At the time it was a major beauty pageant, considering the number of contestants and calibre of partners/sponsors of the event. I had no idea I would be crowned because all the ladies were so good, the gentlemen as well.
To me, it was a big win not only because of the crown I took home that night but of how it completely changed my life – mentally, socially and psychologically.
Like I mentioned before, I grew up with very low self-esteem, I never really thought I was good enough to get into certain spaces let alone to be a winner. My victor spirit and confidence that I have today is because of that night
What advice would you give someone considering a career in modeling?
It’s really not just an advice to models but to every young person out there second-guessing themselves. If you can think it, you can do it. Believe in yourself.
