BE-U: Qs&As with East Africa’s bright, bold and beautiful.

Angelina Adhel Bol is a South Sudanese model and student. She is currently employed by Star Models Africa, an African model agency, with clientele from the advertising and fashion industry in Milan, Paris, New York, etc. 

blackberry, sweet juice 

by b.b.

Her beauty does not hide. 

Her gaping well of melanin is rich like oil 

Her frame slender yet colossal within the frames of one’s eyes. 

Her smile welcoming, her eyes hospitable. 

Jermaine’s wise words stay true, 

beautiful you are, when you be-u. 

Q&A with Adhel Bol by Mike Misaki

HOW OLD ARE YOU?

I am 19 years old

DO YOU MODEL FULL-TIME?

I won’t say modeling is something I do full time because I also study at the University of Nairobi but it does take up most of my time

FOR HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MODELING?

I have been for 1 year now

WHATS YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF OUTFIT?

A comfortable outfit preferably one with flats 

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE DESIGNER?

My favorite designer has to be Donatella Versace, I find the brand to be very bold, strong and sexy

HOW DOES YOUR SOUTH SUDANESE HERITAGE IMPACT YOU AS A PERSON AND YOUR WORK?

My heritage plays a big role in my general look just because of South Sudanese a really blessed with the ideal height that suits the fashion industry and amazing black skin that is very popular at the moment which I hope is just not a trend but an acceptance of dark skin models into the industry

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE KENYAN FASHION SCENE?

The Kenyan fashion scene is very vibrant definitely tribal-inspired with many designers trying to incorporate our African heritage which is really amazing. Modern with a touch of home

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE KENYAN FASHION DESIGNER?

My favorite designer has to be Anyango Mpinga

MENTION A MEMORABLE MODELING GIG EXPERIENCE YOU’LL NEVER FORGET.

I have quite a few memorable modeling experiences but the best is traveling to all these different and beautiful places and interacting with new people

HOW DO YOU USE YOUR PLATFORM TO INFLUENCE?

Having a religious background and having a father that has dedicated his life to help orphans and the needy back in my war-ravaged country of South Sudan I do use my platform to help raise awareness and contribution for the orphanage which has managed to build a school and a clinic to not only serve this children but the community at large

YOU’VE TRAVELED TO NUMEROUS AFRICAN COUNTRIES, TELL US WHERE DID YOU EAT BEST?

My best meal has to be a certain caesar salad I ate in Rwanda, it was constructed so well and I dream about it all the time

WHICH COUNTRY THAT YOU’VE VISITED GAVE THE MOST PRECIOUS MEMORIES?

Nigeria was really amazing made some amazing friends that are now friends for life

DO YOU HAVE A SAY IN THE STYLING PROCESS OF YOUR GIGS OR YOU TRUST THE STYLISTS AND JUST BE THE MUSE?

A good stylist will always come prepared with everything required from the mood board and always have your measurements correct but I can always have a say if something is not working right

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE STYLIST?

My favorite stylist has to be Erika from erika@style, she has this genius mind and has the most beautiful pieces

HOW WAS THE ARISE FASHION WEEK? ANY MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS?

Arise was amazing, getting to meet a lot of amazing girls and big designers but my major highlight had to be seeing Wizkid up close

WHATS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR?

My favorite color is black

HOW IS IT WORKING FOR STAR MODEL AFRICA?

Star Models is amazing and Aisha Bello the creative director is the most amazing dedicated hardworking person ever.

YOU WALKED AN ESTEBAN CORTAZAR SHOW BACK IN APRIL, TALK TO ME ABOUT THAT MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT?

Walking for Esteban Cortazar was so surreal and I had on the coolest outfit ever that made me feel like a real piece of art so that was really amazing

DO YOU FEEL THAT WOMEN OF COLOR, ARE REPRESENTED WELL ENOUGH WITHIN THE INDUSTRY? 

I would say women of color have now started been represented in the fashion industry from makeup brands having inclusions of our shades and using us more in campaigns and runways but till we get to the point of 50% for 50% with our caucasian counterparts I will say we still have a long way to go

YOU FEATURED IN VOGUE MODELING ONE OF THE HOTTEST BRANDS COMING UP, MOWALOLA. HOW DID THAT COME ABOUT? 

Mowalola had me in one of these beautiful bold pink pieces from her collection that really stood out on my dark skin and during first looks, my photo was taken backstage and her work was recognized in vogue and it happened to be my picture.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE FUTURE OF EAST AFRICAN FASHION?

I believe the East African fashion scene will grow into a big and recognizable player in the international fashion industry because we have really amazing designers, photographers, stylists, makeup artists and already producing some great models that will one day shape the industry

IF YOU WEREN’T MODELING WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?

If I was not modeling I’d probably be doing 2 degrees at once

WHAT WAS YOUR CHILDHOOD DREAM? WAS MODELING EVER SOMETHING YOU IMAGINED DOING?

My childhood dream was to become a soldier, am not even kidding I watched a lot of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone and thought I would make this badass special operations operative

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM RUNWAY TO WALK?

My dream runway is Thierry Mugler Fashion House