Creativity, culture and consumer preferences have driven fashion to be a dynamic and evolving industry. This does not simply refer to clothes but also the whole lifestyle and appearance of individuals and society as a whole. The core of this industry is fashion models, human or template, which play an important role in shaping and disseminating the newest trends and styles.Grab a drink, take a deep breath and relax as you journey with me through "The Downsides of Modeling".    Hi, my name's Peremoketari fiona isiniwari and I'm 20 years of age. I've always wanted to be a model. And this is the story of me. I come from a poor family and i happen to be the 4th born child . At a very tender age I was taken to the city by my Aunt who I take as my grandmother. I'm very lucky to be adopted into a family that lives well. I was sent to school to be educated. I lost my mother when I was 8 years old in primary school. During my secondary school days, I was timid because I always felt left out due to my height. Everyone made it obvious to me that I was too tall. In their words “ fiona you are too tall abeg no dey block me “ at those moments I would wish I had same height with them so that way I could mingle properly. At that age I never thought of modelling or even had clue that my kind of height and looks is what could fetch me income. People will literally walk pass me by and say things like “ oh girl you tall o, use this your height well” or “ you should go for miss world like "Agbani Derego”. They literally call me that sometimes. Truth  be told I did not listen because I was more concerned about what my peers thought of me and I hated the fact that I was tall and above all with tribal mark that my peers refers to as tears.

I decided to find out more about modelling. I began to Google and make research on the career and I found girls who were even more taller than I was. I thought it to give it a try. At least a source of income for myself. I searched on agencies in Port Harcourt and I was signed into an agency called De'insider Nigeria with the Amount of five thousand naira. I would most times go for rehearsals and on Saturdays, auditions that I got embarrassed due to my bad walk. My manager who was supposed to groom me had a thing for clothing line which made him neglect his models and agency. Literally i go to auditions as a freelancer. years passed and I never got to walk any show. 

In the year 2019, I decided to use the year to build my career. I got to know more about top models like Naomi Campbell, Adut Akech, kendal Jenner, Zendaya and so on. Modelling grew from source of income to a passionate career in my heart. Seeing these amazing models walk top shows, wearing designers brands also became a big dream to me. I went to local auditions in Port Harcourt but still did not get picked for any. I would watch videos of catwalk from Naomi Campbell, Zendaya , Adut Akech or Mayowa Nicholas online to perfect my walk but still I could not get it done perfectly. I always ended up falling at auditions, my ambition of going international was really my greatest desire so i was excited to try getting signed into big agencies like few models, Beth model Africa , Elite model look Nigeria and so on. I applied online for Elite model look Nigeria, I would often go online and fill forms and submit via e-mail but to no avail. on a good day, I saw on their Instagram handle of physical scouting of models in port Harcourt. I was so excited, at least a chance for them to see me. If only I would be considered I said to myself. I went down to the place, met the scouts. My height was measured and every other measurements needed was taken. We would get back to you they said And I went my way.  I was so excited for a good news, I mean what could disqualify me, perfect height and looks for modelling. Hours moved to days and to weeks and I was curious to know the outcome. I chatted the scout up and asked what news he had got for me, he said, everything about you is perfect but I am sorry they could not take you because of your tribal marks. That was the least reason I was expecting to get declined. I cried and wished I never had this tribal marks, I wished my mother never gave them to me, I wish them gone and tried local ways to get rid of them but instead, I ended up giving myself fresh wounds. My Aunts Would talk me out of it, they will tell me how beautiful I am with my tribal mark and why I should not give up on my career because I was rejected. I said to myself this is not the only agency, if they reject me because of my tribal mark, that doesn't mean another will.  I built up some courage to go agency haunting again. I tried on the agency called Beth models Africa online. I sent a direct message to them and got a reply from them in hours time, they requested for polaroids of me and my statistics. Been so excited, I went to the studio to take my polaroids sent to them and after some hours of waiting for their response, but to which I received none, I decided to send a message the next day which I got a reply immediately stating “I am sorry but we do not sign models with scars”. And I said to myself scars? I am a model with scars, come to think of it all the amazing models have no scars. I thought to myself why can’t a person with scars be an art to the world. I lost hope of ever getting into the big agencies. I decided to go national just stay in Port Harcourt and go for local Shows.

  In the year 2019 to 2020, I would often go to auditions for shows as a freelancer and due to lack of training I never got picked. I was a girl who never really mingled with crowd, I was always or should I say most times home looking after my grandmother who was really aged. Most times I would not have the time to go for rehearsals but I would put on my heels which my Auntie got for me and try to teach myself at home how to catwalk. At some points, I became used to being rejected but I still was not ready to give up.My dream was big, my imagination world was big and I wanted to see it come true. Time moved faster than expected.A miracle did happen to me in 2023. It was during school sessions and one faithful day my Aunt called me(Aunt Pamo), She said to me that there was this show about to commence and a friend of hers who is one of the sponsors said to her they need girls to come model for Lush hair. Without hesitations, my Aunt referred me to the man who referred me to the show manager named Mr Hart. A popular judge in Port Harcourt with a respectable reputation. I was to model for Lush hair at the Nook International fashion show. The next day, I got there, I met other models I was familiar with who were walking for designers. I introduced myself to Mr Hart and he asked me to wait alongside with the other models. I waited while the models went on dress fitting. At the end of the day, Mr Hart told me to come the following day. The day came by so fast and I got to the Nook Apartment as early as possible, sat with other models while I was waiting for Mr Hart.  He came out and called me to follow him. He asked if I got heels to which I said no because i had lost them. To my surprise he took me to the dress fitting room and told the designers I will be taking over from someone who is not available. I was dumbfounded, I was excited. An excitement I couldn’t explain. Its unbelievable that I was among models dress fitting for designers. Something I have always wanted to experience and I am here. The thought of me walking the runway run through my mind, the spotlight I dreamt of was here I said to myself. Grace found me. I dress fitted for all designers that came in that day and dress fitted on the second dress fitting day as well.I got home that evening and borrowed heels from a friend.  

Finally day 1 of the show was here and I was super excited but also nervous because I had not practiced on heels for a year or so due to the hold I took in modelling. But I believed in myself that I could do it. So it was show time Ladies and gentlemen I graced my first runway show at the Nook International Fashion weekend and I did it with so much courage and boldness.From that moment I realised my tribal mark has no effect on who I want to be. I met the wrong agencies at the wrong time because currently I am signed into an agency. I have grown to see beauty in myself.Modelling is art, I should be art, my tribal mark are part of me now and they should be seen as art too. No girl deserves to be rejected into the big world of fashion and modelling because of tribal mark on the face. We did not choose to get them but an old belief of our fore fathers and we just happened to be victims who are trying to pull ourselves out of the shadows and we deserve to belong.Once again my name is Fiona Isiniwari and I'm still on my way to finding out who I would become.