TAWKA DiARiES: TAWKA DIARIES INTERVIEW WITH NIGERIAN MODEL RACHAEL BEREBA

The first time I met her was last year at the Sheraton Abuja Hotel during the stage play, “An Inspector Calls.” It was a beautiful Sunday evening with smell of rose everywhere around the waiting lounge, but that is another story. I have come to know her as a lady of class and distinction, and being a model is just one way to say she is awesome. Here’s one of Abuja’s finest, Rachel Bereba, currently signed to Myth Models Management. She has strutted runways in Nigeria and Ghana and still has so much more to offer. This interview with Ms. Bereba is aimed at getting an insight into her personality and lifestyle. It was conducted via eMail and we are proud to have this as our first feature interview in 2017. Let’s meet Rachael Bereba.

Tell us about you.

My name is Bereba Dumbari Rachael (AKA Princess Raychael). I’m a Nigerian, from Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State. I am first of all an undergraduate student of Biology at the University of Abuja. I’m also a model, and I’m a proud seamstress. I was born on the 18th of July.

There is this question that pops up in my head each time I come across a model: fashion, and style. What do both terms mean to you?

Well I see fashion as an extension of yourself and style is how you wear it, how you keep it simple and yet sophisticated.

What is modelling really about?

That’s a tricky question. Modelling can hardly be quantified. It means different things to different people. Modelling involves using people to show off a particular type of fashion or art as the case maybe. This allows the public to see how a particular fashion or art looks like, which can help create public interest. Several different types of fashion items can be displayed using fashion modelling, things like garments, accessories, jewellery, and cosmetics etc. Models are often featured in magazines and catalogues, as well as on television and the Internet.

Why did you become a model?

I love the spotlight, and that's why I decided to become a model.

Is there a particular aspect of modelling that you love the most, or that you specialize in?

Yup, and it is Fashion. I am a fashion model.

I know you’re a student. How do you manage your time as a student and as a professional model?

It's been God helping me through it all. For me though, education comes first. So when I have school, I put modelling on hold and face my studies. I’m no deal breaker (Laughs). By the way, beauty and brains comes with........you know it!!! LOL

Have you ever had any regrets about choosing this life?

Not yet.

Who is the biggest inspiration behind your life as a model?

I think it’s Tyra Banks. When I look at Tyra Banks, she raises my confidence higher than it already is. When I first saw America’s Next Top Model I was surprised and happy that the show was hosted by a woman named Tyra. I was fascinated and had to learn more. The more I learned about Tyra, the more I digested her message: Confidence is key, and beauty is more than skin deep. I feel inspired and proud when I see someone overcome any type of racism. Tyra faced discrimination and she conquered. Most wannabe models would have given up their dream if they were denied contracts twice because they apparently looked “too ethnic," but that wasn’t an obstacle for Tyra. She went on to break barriers. Not many women can say that they won the daytime Emmy Award twice and VH1's 1997 Supermodel of the Year.

Oh, but there’s more! She was also the first African American woman to be on the covers of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition and Victoria’s Secret lingerie catalogue. Tyra started the T-ZONE program to create camps that help young girls feel better about their own selves while getting an education. According to the website, T-ZONE’s main goals are:

“Create awareness about issues that confront our demographic of inner city girls, including beauty, body image, self-esteem, and other social and economic pressures. Encourage a public dialogue surrounding the obstacles that affect healthy development in preteens and adolescents to work towards a solution to overcome them. Inspire action among a national community in support of the initiatives of the Tyra Banks T-ZONE Foundation." I LOVE TYRA BANKS. I just want her to know. People think of Tyra as a fashion model, but she is more than that: She is a role model. I know now that the struggle is part of the story. If Tyra can made it, I can too.

How long have you been on your career, and what brands have you worked with?

It’s been just four years. I’ve worked with several fashion brands like Crowns Creation, Nekkyseals, Fadora Designs, The Cicaeda, Kenneth Akuba, Evves Room, Grazee Stitches, etc. I’ve strutted runways in Nigeria and Ghana, including Abuja Fashion Week, and Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Ghana.

What skills are important to somebody wanting to pursue a career in modelling?

You’ll need:

-good grooming and willingness to look after yourself

-fashion sense and awareness of trends

-confidence, self-reliance and discipline

-a pleasant, professional attitude with good people skills

-patience, stamina and fitness to cope with long, tiring days and travelling

-the ability to cope with criticism and rejection

There you have it, without these you're not ready, absolutely not.

What are the most exciting and challenging parts things being a model?

Most exciting things: Getting to strut the runway like you own it and nothing/no-one else matters (actually you own it at that point), getting to be in the spotlight, getting to do photo-shoots, basically.

The challenging parts are: Hmmm. When you get to rehearse for hours or days and your feet hurts, and you still have to keep up at the same time (your wouldn't want to let your guard down for a sec). Modelling can involve a lot of time spent waiting around, whether that’s waiting to get your hair or makeup done, waiting for the photographer to set up, waiting to get your photos, waiting for runway shows to start or waiting to be seen at castings. So you often see models with a book or phone in hand as there is so much free time. You have to be on your guard. With so many cameras backstage at shoots and mostly runway shows sometimes someone will try and capture models at times when they may not want to be photographed. And models don’t always get paid for shoots, especially for new models building up their experience, there are many shoots that compensate in trade, either with photos or clothes, or sometimes you may end up with nothing at all. Photo-shoots are not always as glamorous as the photos portray. There is often a lot more going on behind a photo session than the finished picture presents. The model may have to work on a really cold or hot day wearing completely the wrong type of clothes for the season, might have had like a hundred outfit changes or had to pose in really uncomfortable positions to get the shot.