Beauty & Brains Q&A with Miss Vannette by Foreverdc.com’s Byron Stewart | Edited by Saint

Miss Vannette
Exotic & Wet

Very few models come along and leave a mark on the industry. They do so because they have a passion about something. They strive to be the best and reach to their highest limit. Very few modern day models have pulled. Don’t think so fast because Miss Vannette is here to change that. She has the smarts, she is beautiful, and she is passionate about everything she does. She already has a degree and a Miss Liberia title under her belt. With these accomplishments she can only see herself going further. In all reality, Miss Vannette is ready to take this industry on and all it has to offer!

First Miss Vannette I would like to thank you for taking time out to do this interview! How did you become interested in the fashion industry?

I’ve had a keen interest in fashion and modeling for as long as I can remember.  It’s partially my mother’s fault.  My mother was a fashion buyer.  As the first daughter, I was like her little doll.  So she would dress me up and take photos of me all the time.  I participated in several beauty pageants as a child and later held the Miss Liberia of MD 2004 title.  As an adult, my interest in fashion has only increased.  Having tried my hand at fashion design, makeup artistry, modeling, and more; I think it’s safe to say that this is the industry for me.

How did you get your start in modeling?

When I was 17 years old, I dated a male model. I went to all of his fashion shows and shoots and one day I thought to myself, “I can do that!” So I started working out, contacted some photographers, got my portfolio together and the rest is history.

You have an exotic look! What is your background?

Thank you!  I’m Liberian-American by ethnicity.  I’m a part of the first generation of my family to be born in the U.S.

Looking at your photos and your drive I can see you becoming a high fashion model. What area of that industry are you looking to get into?

My interest lies primarily in fashion and commercial modeling; however I’m very open minded.

Have you been looking into any modeling agencies yet?

I free-lanced for several years while in college.  Now that I’m established in my career and have the mobility to take on more work, I am exploring my options in regards to management/agencies.

What magazine covers would you like to be on?

My favorite magazines are W and Vogue.  I would also be more than happy to grace the covers of Ebony or Allure.

I see that you are also into acting. What steps have you taken to get involved with that part of the industry?

I’ve been involved in several stage plays and music videos.  I plan on taking acting and improve classes in the near future and to take that aspect of my career to the next level.

What actor would you like to work with and why?

My favorite actor is Al Pacino because he has successfully brought a vast array of characters to life and he has decades of wisdom and experience under his belt.

You’ve attended college already and working towards your degree in the arena of Public Relations. Knowing what you know now, would you have tried to obtain a degree in Fashion Merchandising?

If I had known when I started college that I would be so heavily involved in fashion and modeling, I would have still pursued a Mass Communications/Public Relations degree; however I would have probably minored in Fashion Merchandising.  The reason being that as a model, the longevity of your career is not promised.  As soon as your look is no longer coveted, you’re out of work.  My professional goal is to own and operate a successful PR firm which would encompass every aspect of portraying favorable images of clients to the public – from image styling to talent management to event planning.   So with that in mind, a Mass Communications degree would be most useful.

Public relations is dealing with advertising and marketing and you are advertising your talents very well. How would you use your PR background to break into this industry even more?

I am an internet junkie.  The internet has been such a wonderful tool for me.  Starting with Blackplanet.com to Yahoo! Groups, to OneModelPlace.com, to ModelMayhem.com, to my own website to Facebook and most recently Twitter; use of internet marketing has really helped me to get my name and face out to the public.

Have you ever thought about trying out for TV shows such as Make Me A Supermodel, Project Runway, or America’s Next Top Model?

I have considered auditioning for such shows; however at this point in my life and career, reality television is not the direction in which I want to go.  I’m not knocking it, but it’s not for everyone.

With the fashion industry booming with new talent do you feel there is a spot for you to excel to the highest level?

I know there is a spot for me to excel to the highest level.  Not only do I have a unique look, but I also has industry experience from many angles, a personality that makes me easy to work with, strong work ethic, and I’m articulate and able to express my thoughts clearly and effectively.

Who are your favorite designers right now?

My favorite designers of the moment include Versace, Jimmy Choo, Max Azria, Marc Jacobs, Betsey Johnson and Paul Marciano.

How would you feel about modeling for these designers?

I would love to model for all of the designers I mentioned.

You have set a lot of goals for yourself. Right now what is your main focus and why?

My main focus right now is taking my modeling to the next level while starting up my PR firm.  There’s so much that goes into starting a new business, so it’s been keeping me very busy.

Besides all of the modeling and fashion I also see that you are very involved in making a difference in Africa. Why is this one of your main goals?

My family is from Liberia, which is a war-torn West African country that is in the midst of evolving.  There’s so much potential for my country and many other African countries to rise from the ashes of the past several decades of corruption and war and to improve in every aspect.  Education and healthcare are two very important components that would help to make a difference in Africa.  As Miss Liberia of MD, my platform was promoting hygiene in Liberia.

What would you name this charity?

Liberian Youth Development Foundation

Have you always wanted become a humanitarian as well?

I have always wanted to become a humanitarian and philanthropist.  I love money – who doesn’t?  No matter how successful we become, there’s a point that one gets to at which they realize that they can’t possibly spend all of their money on their own selfish needs and wants.  It doesn’t take much to make a difference, and having visited and done humanitarian work in third world countries; I have realized how much of a difference each of us can make.  So I would like to use the progression of my celebrity status and professional goals as a stepping stool by which I can increase the reach of my humanitarian efforts.

How would you motivate people, young girls particularly to follow their dreams in Africa?

In order to follow a dream, you have to actually HAVE a dream.  In many African cultures today, children are discouraged from dreaming and encouraged to study to become doctors and lawyers.  It is a common misconception that the only way to make money is to take that course.  I would like to inform African children that they can be successful in other fields and encourage them to discover and nurture their talents.

Is there a website where people can contact you and keep up with your current events?

I’m in the process of revamping my website, www.MissVannette.com to include my blog posts, calendar, and more images.  The changes should be made by late November 2009. In the meanwhile, I encourage everyone to follow me on Twitter.

Miss Vannette, we would like to thank you for this interview! Wish you the best in your career.