My worries as an up and coming model — Damilola Aina, Miss Festac

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7 years ago

Damilola Aina is an aspiring model. Born in Lagos State, but originally from Osun State, the delectable model, who began to model at a very tender age, told Newton-Ray Ukwuoma in this interview about the challenges of budding models in Nigeria.

Introduction
My name is Damilola Aina. I am a model. I am a lover of arts, a go-getter, very deep and a resilient person. I believe man didn’t evolve hence, there’s a supreme being watching over us all. I am a Christian from birth and my core values are compassion, courage and integrity.

Background
I am from Ondo State. My grandparents are known for cocoa plantation and farming. We believe that education is better than ignorance. So, naturally, you must at least be a degree holder in my family.

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Fond Memories
Very alive in my memory was how I was always in the fashion parade; in fact, my teachers had little choice but to put my name top on the fashion parade list. Checking the mirrors and getting ready for the interhouse sports with funfair rather than sports was my thing. My father would always laugh and wonder. But whenever I did well in debates I got a thumps up. Then debates were fun for me. I can’t forget a poem I did in French and still fresh in my head. I was tagged the French girl poet in primary school.

Current Projects
I have been doing it subtly. It’s about ‘we’ as a brand, especially the female as a brand, giving back to the society, reaching out and helping to actualise and activate your potential. I would rather leave you in suspense.

Inspiration
Everything around me inspires me, happenstance, sounds from the horns, traffic in Lagos, sounds from the market, the green leaves, nature, the aroma of food, fragrance of a perfume, l learn from everything.

Modelling Career
First, I started in my neigbourhood, I won the Miss High School contest when I was in secondary school, then I won the Miss FESTAC pageant. I attended a catwalk casting at Eko Hotel for Tiffany Amber’s Fashion Show- pop! I was selected. I was assigned a chaperone to put me through and perfect my catwalk skills. I’d say since then, I never looked back from the runway to photography modeling.

Early Challenges
Juggling school and castings wasn’t easy at all. In addition, people seldom give opportunities or listening ears to up and coming acts, you are easily underestimated once people learn you›re new. Though, it made me feel bad but it gave me the balls and die-hard attitude to life.

I knew I needed a finishing school to help perfect my girly tendencies and transform me to a proper lady, so I started working on myself. I resolved within me not to give up. A book like Robert Schuller›s «Tough Times Never Last but Tough People Do» helped a lot. I attended motivational symposia, educational meetings and so on.

Foray into entertainment
I am already into it. You should hear from me soon. For music, I love high life, hip-hop and reggae, afrofusion.

Romance
Yes, I would agree to that. I am good at it.

Other aspirations
I want to go into advertising and media consultancy some day.

Fashion Choices
The nature or type of event would determine what to wear. My mood too comes to play. If I feel like a princess I’d dress as one and if I feel like a queen, then I will look like a queen. Then again, I may decide to get to an event with a big aura, but it›s all in the mix.

Favourite Designers
Versace, Thomas Sabo, Phillip plein, Louis Vouitton and Channel. Tiffany Amber , Lanre Dasilver Ajayi, Mai Atafo and Deola Sagoe.

Favourite Fashion items
My bag, my wristwatch and my sunglasses.

Fashion Statement
Smart and fit. My dresses should either be very long or short. No quarter length.

Relaxing Tips
A sip of green tea or lemon grass tea to clear my mind, a proper relaxing massage, aroma therapeutic bubble bath, a glass of red Wine to the rescue, then sleep.

Style Tip
Style for me must exude confidence and comfort however, Classic, chic, eclectic or heterogeneous, bohemian and avant-garde will best describe my style.