Model Spolight

22 June, 2009 by Jasdeep Kundi

Interview with Denise Coleman - April Challenge Winner
Photography by JPG Photography
Location Prince and Dex Club

I arrived at Vibe bar, again same time, same place, this time I was quite familiar with the model, I realised that we had met before at the London Alternative Fashion Week in April, the model goes by the name of Denise Coleman.

Denise has a rare and unique character and approach that I admire especially the fact she doesn't put up a front, with her what you see is what you get. It's a really good quality to have as it portrays honesty and truth with nothing hidden under the surface. I was looking forward to this interview, especially since it was apparent to me that she has nothing to hide.

Denise Coleman along with the other models that took part in the IFE April Challenge found themselves on the front page of Waltham Forest Independent newspaper as well as the Local Guardian that week. It is a great accomplishment to have earned, and to top that she has also been accredited to be one of the April challenge winners of The I Feel Experience 2009, a title that she shares with Annick Guehi.

I had to find out what it was like taking part in such a high profile event and challenge, Denise was happy to share here thoughts with me.

"I loved being part of the challenge and performing at the actual show". Denise when on to explain "It took place in Liverpool Street, Spitalfields market I remember clear as if it were yesterday. I was prepared and I wasn't worried. If I had''t been to the fitting where I got the opportunity to perfect my walk and try the garments before hand then there could have been a bit of a problem but it really helped me out that I did. I knew what might look better on me or more to the point, what might need adjusting. It helped improve my confidence, I felt more re-assured and seeing the beautiful dresses made me even more excited about the show".

So what was it like being chosen as a winner out of the eleven girls that took part in the April challenge?

I was shocked and overwhelmed, but very excited too. I won a photo shoot with Jason Grant, it was a great experience but I felt quite pressured. I had to wear full on make up, finger waves in my hair and the dresses were amazing. Annick was there on the shoot too. I was a little intimidated, as I didn't know what was expected of me. I think I needed re-assurance with this photo-shoot as I wasn't familiar with my surroundings, we were in a beautiful club in Brixton, all in all it was good, I had fun and the pictures are amazing.

Is this a career you would like to develop in the further?

Well I would have say I guess its mine time to shine and I would definitely say this career has found me. I've now had the opportunity to come to grips with it and I have a better understanding of what modelling is. I don't personally want to be an entertainment model for music videos and that... not that there is anything wrong with it but I would like to see myself as an established model within fashion. I want to be versatile and work in high fashion, I don't want to be limited to being just part of the entertainment industry.

Tell us more about your pervious experiences as a model, I see you have been the cover girl for Expressions In Hair, what was that like?

Yeah that was last year. The image was also blown up in the shop window. I loved the long hair experience but I didn't want to hold on to the hairstyle. I was getting a lot of attention for the wrong reasons. People thought I was multi-racial, and I wanted to represent the true me. But I would do it again I want to be versatile and like to be able to change my look. I love being different and versatile. It was a great experience, the photo shoot for Expressions In Hair opened a lot of doors for me and I had so much fun.

At the Alternative Fashion week you were on the catwalk in front of a very large audience. Was this the first time on the runway and have you had any incidences on the catwalk before?

Actually I have done a few catwalks before, once the buckle on my shoe snapped at the fashion show so I had to somehow tuck the buckle underneath the strap. You have to remain professional at all times on the catwalk. I remember panicking but at the same time I thought everything will be ok and if something goes wrong the key thing is just to be myself and most importantly, behave ultra-confident. I mean at the end of the day we are all just human and bound to make mistakes.

There was another accident about three years ago, we had to change into three outfits. The first change was good, the second change was okay, but it was the last change that caused the problems. I was wearing a top without a bra and I felt like it wasn't secure enough. The fashion designer assured me it was okay so as you can imagine I went out there and the unexpected happened. It was very embarrassing and I know there were celebrities in the audience. I didn't stop what I was doing I remained professional and held onto the two sides of the top and strutted back to the other side of the catwalk. A big round of applause came from the audience; I know the crowd were behind me. As a model you know the drill no matter what happens the show must go on.

I hear you are also a poet, how did you get into poetry?

Well I just love writing, from an early age when expressing my emotions I just put pen to paper and it just flows. People are attracted to my writing and it is definitely open to interpretation.

What are your plans for the future?

Starting and finishing off my degree is a definite accomplishment for me and now I want to own my own business, my own bar ideally it would be a cigar and cocktail bar. I did a one year entrepreneurship course in America where I came up with a business plan concept but now considering the UKs smoking ban I may have to reconsider. I am in the process of working with agencies to develop my career as a successful model. I want to be inspirational to other models and don't want to be put in a box.

A realist, highly intelligent and focused, Denise Colman, is more than just a pretty face and way beyond the stereotype that you would expect from a model. A definite career woman with real goals and aspirations, it seems that the journey has only just begun for her and I can see that she is a model that is ready to embrace and relish in the adventure.