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

Adong is a Ugandan model, signed to Ugandan modeling agency, Joram Model Management (JMM). 

WHAT IS YOUR SKIN CARE ROUTINE IF ANY?

I don’t have a meticulous skin care routine but I always make sure that I drink a lot of water to keep my body hydrated and I use a sunscreen to protect my skin from direct sunshine. I also keep my make-up light and I make sure that I wash it off before bed using warm water. 

WHO IS CURRENTLY THE HOTTEST ARTIST ON YOUR PLAYLIST?

Naava Grey 

HOW IS WORKING FOR JMM?

Working with JMM has not only helped me move closer to my dreams but it has also better equipped me to deal with the challenges characterising this industry. Firstly, without good management, it is almost impossible to manoeuvre through the stereotypes and the stigma about our profession but Mr. Joram Muzira has been such a vital player in our lives he not only empowers us to face our fears and go after our dreams but also shields us from every negative shock, he has become like a parent to us, for me JMM is not just an agency but family. 

WHEN YOU WER 10, DID YOU SEE YOURSELF WHERE YOU ARE NOW? IF NO, WHERE DID YOU SEE YOURSELF BY THIS POINT? 

I never imagined myself being here today, growing up I dreamt of becoming a professional basketball player because I was always very tall for my age and my teachers and parents encouraged me to play basketball. 

HOW WAS THE 2018 ABRYANZ STYLE & FASHION AWARDS? ANY HIGHLIGHTS?

The Abryanz style & Fashion awards is one of the biggest shows in Africa today, being part of such a project was a dream come true. I got a chance to rub shoulders with some of Africa’s finest fashion designers in Africa like David Tlale, Mai Atafo and Alecoolandan. Being a part of that show was a milestone in my career. 

IN THAT SAME SHOW YOU WALKED A PIECE BY DAVID TLALAE HOW WAS IT WORKING WITH SOUTH AFRICAN BRAND? 

Wow, I can hardly find the right words to express how I felt working with a person of such high regard in this industry, the truth is that I was both nervous and excited at the same time. David Tlale was the first international brand that I worked with in this industry. What made the experience memorable was the way David Tlale made us feel comfortable, he was so supportive and uniquely paid attention to every detail. Am so glad I was part of that great show. 

WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE UGANDAN PHOTOGRAPHER?

I have worked with so many fashion Photographers in Uganda and they are great but i strongly believe Giulio Molfese has changed the narrative of fashion. 

WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE UGANDAN DESIGNER?

All Ugandan designers are different and amazing. Anita Beryl has a special feel to everything she lays her hands on. 

WHAT IS THE LAST UGANDAN CLOTHING BRAND YOU PURCHASED?

Abryanz 

HOW DO YOU THINK COVID WILL IMPACT FASHION SHOWS MOVING FORWARD?

Whether the outcomes of this pandemic are going to be positive or negative, one thing is for sure, things are not going to be the same even in the fashion industry, we may kiss goodbye to the conventional ways of doing things including fashion shows. People are now looking at online platforms. Do not be surprised if we start holding e- fashion shows, this maybe beneficial to designers as it captures a wider audience( not limited by space) and may turn out to be a more cost effective medium of marketing their brands but it may affect other stakeholders including us fashion models as we may run out of jobs. 

PHOTOSHOOTS OR RUNWAYS?

Both 

WHAT TYPE OF CLOTHING DO YOU FEEL YOU BEST MODEL IN YOUR OPINION?

Casual wear 

WHERE WOULD YOU LOVE TO TRAVEL TO NEXT?

I would really love to attend the fashion week in Milan 

WHERE DID YOU MISS MOST DURING LOCKDOWN?

I missed my busy schedule of moving from show to show. I also missed going to church on Sundays, now days Sundays hardly feel like Sundays anymore. 

WHAT ROLE DO EAST AFRICAN MODELS HAVE IN ELEVATING THE GLOBAL FASHION INDUSTRY?

Models are instrumental because they act as the faces of the creative work done by fashion designers, without them it is quite difficult for designers to showcase their pieces. 

Models not only represent the East African cultures locally, but they also sell our cultures internationally through their careers. They are our ambassadors to the outside world. 

HOW DO YOU REPRESENT YOUR HERITAGE IN YOUR WORK?

I come from a small town in northern Uganda called Gulu and it is from there that I learnt the real essence of love family and caring for others. We live in small communities where everyone is his brother’s keeper. It is these same values thhave carried along to my workplace. At JMM we are more than just workmates, we are family. 

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR ASPIRING EAST AFRICAN MODELS?

If there is something that you should always remember, It is this: ‘NEVER GIVE UP’’, if you have a dream, hold tightly onto it and have faith that one day your dream will come true. As you wait patiently for your time or season to come, keep working on yourself, improve yourself, don’t stop learning about your industry, keep accumulating skills that will make you stand out and whatever level you reach at in this career do not forget where you came from, always treat people well and with respect. 

WHAT IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL QUOTE YOU EVER READ?

Happiness is not having what you want. It is appreciating what you have. - anonymous 

WHAT DEFINES BEAUTY FOR YOU?

To me beauty is defined by one’s personality 

AS A MODEL, WHAT SERVES AS A HUMAN BETTER, BEAUTY ON THE OUTSIDE OR BEAUTY ON THE INSIDE?

What is defined as beauty is likely to differ from one person to another since actual beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, what I would say in response to this question is that: as a model you need both, your physical looks are going to take you places( because this is what people see first) but what will keep you in those places is your inner beauty which is portrayed through your behaviours and how you relate with and/ treat others.