Young model takes baby steps into fashion world

An old adage goes that an apple does not fall far from the tree. As a young girl, Joyce Wangari wanted to be a model and when life did not give her a chance to be one, she thought it was a closed chapter.

Fast forward, the interest would surface in her daughter Lakeysha Wairimu.

“It’s said we should work toward building our children’s confidence. I started noticing that she had interest in modelling at the age of three.

She loved to pose and strut, smiling whenever the camera was around. I decided to give her support by making her a model for my boutique.

I would take photos of her in the latest fashion clothing. After a while, I saw she was ready for a biggger platform — so we started applying and accepting other shops’ proposal to model for them,” says Wangari

Great character

Venturing into uncharted water, Wangari had no experience as a momager, but though she had thought it would be a herculian task, everything fell into place.

“Managing my daughter has not been hard as I anticipated. This is because she is just natural when it comes to modelling.

Her confidence level is also high. She is not camera shy and she also gets along with other people quickly.

And also, the fact that I am always around makes her feel at ease. I believe mums are the best managers children can have,” states Wangari. 

Tough while still young, Lakeysha has been able to balance her academics and her budding career as a model.

Her mother says the key to this is creating a good atmosphere and partnership with teachers who are able to guide her accordingly. 

“Her school has also helped build her confidence as her teachers have been encouraging her to  perform poetry and other preprimary activities.

She is actually active in co-curicular activities at school. Beside modelling, she is a good actress, something her teachers are keen at nurturing.

I’m working on bringing her acting talent to the limelight by getting her to audition.

She also has a YouTube account where she talks about children’s fashion and best children playing parks,” intimates Wangari.

The five-year-old who’s the only child in the young family, has opened a new world for her mother.

In one year’s time, the mum has had to learn about photography and managing her social media accounts.

All these have to be done consistently, but Wangari says she is willing to take a chance and help push her daughter towards her dreams.

Wangari through a network of friends and YouTube tutorials has learnt there is an art and technique to modelling, working the camera and walking the runway.

“I had to change my schedule — now I don’t work on Saturday and Sundays.

I have set these days aside for her, where we do everything from photo shoots to visiting different hotels  and parks to shooting YouTube videos.

But I also enjoy working with her a lot; our mummy-daughter bond has also strengthen.

This ensures that I spend more time with her and this excites me a lot as I also get to learn new things from her perspective. She is my little best friend,” says Wangari. 

“I have learnt a lot since I began managing my daughter. I’ve also had a chance to meet other momagers and their little models.

Models that have been in the industry for a bit longer. I’m glad that some were willing to extend a helping hand and show me how things work,” she adds.

Con agencies

Still, it has not been a walk in the park for Wangari and her daughter. When she started, she would get her social media inbox flooded with people from agencies who claimed to have spotted Lakeysha’s talent and would “like to help’.

A meet up with these talent scouts would lead almost to the same issue, money.

“I met a number of people, some who have already set up running agencies and others just operating on freelance basis.

Some would come with contracts, which looked dubius and others asked for money for classes and photoshoots to create an online profile.

My advice to parents is to research on some of these people by visiting their social media handles and go through people’s comments.

You can follow up on the parents and get more information about the agency or the talent manager,” advises Wangari. 

For those who want to support their children to get a stint in the modelling and acting career, Wangari says that parents have to sacrifice not just their time, but also money.

This is due to the number of photoshoots required, travelling, clothes, booking fees and also marketing on social media. 

“At first, it may be tiring and frustrating for both of you, but if you keep on  pressing on, you will see the benefits. Build your child’s self-esteem.

While at it, make friends with other mums who are in the same position as you or may have bigger connections that at times they share auditions and casting directors whom they have worked previously with,” she says.