My first designer told me I looked like a malnourished Somalian – Denrele Edun

By
Wale Oloworekende
-
Denrele Edun

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.

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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. "I'll wait in d Showroom Sir, till u'r ready to fit me", I answered bk & walked in to the reception. This designer actually hissed & went in. Came out, dismissed all d other models without me noticing and left the building. Wit all d bravado I could muster, I waited for an agonizing 12 hours. I was scared to go get something to eat cos i didn't want to miss his entrance. At bout 11pm, he strolled in wit some other models. They obviously had finished a shoot & he seemed to be in a light mood. Seein my chance, I walked up to him. This time, he lost his cool. But that didnt stop me from walking his show weeks after. He refused to pay me & not only was I stranded but had to walk from V/I to Yaba wher Vigilantes made me frog jump on the express! ● The Designer? We're friends till date! Why? Denrele get clean mind!

A post shared by Denrele Edun (@denrele_edun) on

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.

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