Model Spotlight

25 July, 2009 by Anna Szlejter

Interview with Annick Guehi - April Challenge Winner
Photography by JPG Photography
Location Prince and Dex Club

Straight after finishing work I called Bukola to confirm the interview with model Annick Guehi scheduled for 7pm. It was around 5.30 and we all suppose to meet at Liverpool street at 6pm. Bukola was out of town and was running late, she said that she maybe be back in London after 8pm. This was my very first interview for the I Feel Experience so I decide to go and meet Annick and wait.

Holding two pieces of paper with my interview question and my new Dictaphone, I caught the first train to Liverpool Street. It wasn't easy to find the pub we had arranged to meet in, the number 91 seemed to be hidden somewhere between the buildings. Finally I reached my destination and the whole place was packed, the music was intense and loud, I wondered how the hell I was going to find a quite space to do interview here.

I met Annick outside the entrance. I was expecting to come across a teenage girl who would try to give me some random advice how to do make up properly and which mascara is the best on the market at the moment. Thank God I was so wrong, Annick was just normal girl a student full of energy, passion and optimism. She was studying chemistry and she wants to use her modeling career to help others. "I want my face to be recognized like Angelina Jolie so I can help people like she does" Annick explained to me as we waited.

I had such good feeling about her. The way she sat and talked says a lot about her, she is very confident and she knows that she is pretty but in additional to that there was something magnetic about her. She laughed and made jokes but when it came down to serious conversation about her future plans she could visualize herself immediately in the place were she wants to be. She already knows what her goals are and how to achieve them.

Annick Guehi is only 22 years old and she has already lived in 3 countries across the world her first steps in her career in modeling began in America then over to France and for the past two years she has been developing her career with the UK modeling industry. The I Feel Experience gave her a unique opportunity to enter the fashion industry in the UK when she took a part in the April 2009 challenge at the London Alternative Fashion week, where she made her mark as joint winner of the challenge with Denise Colman.

Living in all three countries has given her an amazing opportunity to learn how the fashion industry works in different parts of the world. America defiantly had an impact on her perceptions and ambitions as a model. "America thought me how to respect myself and how to respect myself being a women".

Her modeling adventure began In New Jersey when she was seventeen, she went on to tell me about it. "My very fast fashion show was in America, New Jersey with my sisters. It was very interesting, I had to learn everything. We had eight weeks training how to walk how to be confident. I was really into it". I went on to ask her a few more questions, she hand me engaged with her natural charisma and charm.

So, what was it like to growing up in America?

Living in America was a really huge experience for me, I saw thirteen year old children carry guns, I saw fourteen year olds having children and for the whole society is absolutely normal. This definitely broadened my perspective of the world.

There is no doubt that the whole experience had irreversible influence on her life, she has developed into a mature, sensible and confident individual, and her grounded attitude will defiantly be a benefit to her as she purses a career in the public eye.

Considering you are only 22, you have already participated in several fashion events in different countries around the world. How would you compare them to the Uk's catwalk shows?

American and French modeling industry is completely different. In America modeling and catwalk are fun shows, people dancing and clapping, it's good fun. France is more strict the models have to be very thin and everything has to be done to the highest standards. Britain is the most relax, you can be just as you are, I don't have to loose weight if I don't feel like it. The challenge here in the UK is definitely now that I am building up my portfolio. I am learning much more about the fashion industry. I know now that modeling is not about showing off looking good and run away. When the show is finished being a real model is of course about being beautiful so people want to look at you, but you have to have a brain as well. I want to be an example for the people by doing something positive for women and the perception of models.

Annick's global hopping to different countries has given her a wealth of experience and a chance to open up the doors for herself in her career. Now being in the UK she learnt that modeling is hard and very competitive fast moving environment and you must make the most of the opportunities that come your way.

I am absolutely impressed, she is really passionate about what she is doing and she really wants to work to the highest standards. I am not surprised that she won the I Feel Experience April challenge. I went on to ask a few more questions about the challenge and how she felt about being selected out of 11 other models in the show.

What was it like to win the IFE April Challenge?

It was my first fashion show in the UK, so I really wanted to do this right and I did with all my heart. I was so privileged, I didn't even know there was a competition. I was shocked, didn't know that I was going to win.

Since winning the April challenge you have been approached by Kate Model Management, this must have been a great step for you?

At the moment I need to work with the agency which helps me to reach the people, so they can know me. In the future I definitely want to get into a catwalk training and run my own business.

What is your golden rule or top tip you have for any young girls who want a career in the fashion or modeling industries?

Reach for the stars. Just be natural, don't do nothing extra, be focused and don't think about the shinny glamorous parts just focus on being real model.



At the ripe age of 22 she is definitely on the right way to make her dreams come true. She knows how to fight for her goals and I can see she has the right attitude and will get whatever she wants out life. Success is most definitely within her reach.