The model empowering all skin types

Olivia Sang The model empowering all skin types

Olivia Sang’s top tips, experience and on tackling colourism within the modelling community

Kenyan-born model Olivia Sang, 27, has taken the world by storm, recently speaking out about colourism within the model industry and becoming a role model for young black males and females aspiring to become models. She speaks to 540 about growing up, her favourite products and how she got where she is today.

Q. Tell me a little about yourself and where you grew up.

A. I was born and raised in a small town called Kapsabet in the Rift Valley, Nandi County. I am the oldest out of two and I am very passionate about my job.

Q. At what age did you realise you wanted to be a model? Was it always in the cards for you?

A. It was never really in the cards for me because where I grew up, fashion is not exactly a priority. Cows, goats, chickens and the farm is. So I only found out and got interested in modelling when I was in my second year in college in the city at age 19.

Q. How do you find living in London and what do you miss about Kenya?

A. I recently just got to London in April 2019 and I really like the people I work with as well as the city itself. It is amazing with a lot of history. I have to say, though, it is a long, long way off from my village [laughs]. What I miss most about Kenya is my family and friends; I see them twice every year. I also miss the familiarity of things, the landscape of my beautiful country as well as speaking Swahili.

Q. Did you have help from anyone to get where you are today? If so who?

A. I get asked very often how I was discovered, but this was not the case. It actually took me two years to sign with an agency in South Africa. Once I realised that this was something I really wanted to do, I started sending applications to at least three agencies a week, all over the world. Since I was still studying, this was marred with having to live and support myself in Nairobi. I got part-time jobs and started freelance modelling and that’s when my journey began. I ended up being a junior accountant in a SACCO at Broadcasting Corporation while I was studying part-time for my degree course for two years and finally in early 2017 Boss Models invited me to South Africa.

I aim to keep rising and to continue on this path that my life has taken

Q. You recently did an interview with the BBC responding to questions on colourism and discrimination. What kind of response did you receive to this interview and how does it feel knowing you are helping contribute to excluding discrimination from the industry?

A. I have received very good feedback from many people. So many black young girls and boys who aspire to do great things in their respective fields have expressed to me that their confidence levels have risen and it is truly my life’s purpose to inspire young people to follow their dreams.

Andrea Klarin / @andrea_klarin

Q. What has been the highlight of your career so far?

A. I have had quite a few amazing moments in my career, but last year working with Dark and Lovely for their new hair care products, this was the best time so far. I aim to keep rising and to continue on this path that my life has taken.

Q. When you aren’t posing for magazine covers and fashion shoots for ‘Cosmopolitan’, how do you spend your time?

A. I enjoy reading books, travelling, meeting new people and dancing as well as visiting historical places.

Q. What is your favourite thing to do to unwind and have some ‘me time’?

A. I love cooking with a glass of wine or a cold beer while watching a comedy movie/series.

Q. What has been your personal experience of the modelling industry? Have you faced much colourism in the industry?

A. I have had and continue to have a very fruitful experience in the industry thanks to my agencies, Boss Models Johannesburg and Cape Town. I have not had any discriminatory acts particularly aimed at me, but obviously there’s always the industry standards that discriminate against models of colour which we are fighting day by day. There’s always room for improvement in this industry.

Q. What are the top hair, skin and beauty products that you cannot go without?

A. For my hair, Dark and Lovely products are a must-have and for my skin I always just follow one rule: remove any and all makeup before bed and after every shoot.

Q. What are your secrets to staying in shape and having amazing skin?

A. Drink a lot of water, eat fruit and veggies, don’t stress and laugh A LOT. Happiness and joy is the best way to go through life.

Q. What has been your favourite modelling job so far?

The Dark and Lovely commercial, features in ‘Vogue’ (Italian, Spanish and British) among many others.

Buse Tirman / @busetirmann

Q. How would you describe your style?

A. My style is classic, simple and comfortable, featuring a lot of sneakers.

Q. Do you have any future goals?

A. I am a firm believer in seeing results rather than talking, so we all just have to watch this space.

Q. Do you have any final words for aspiring models in East Africa?

A. That thing that you dislike about yourself is what sets you apart from everybody else. Work on it and don’t stop until you are proud of yourself.

Make-up: Meral Kaftanci, Designer: ŞİYAR AKBOĞA

Photographer credit: Cansın Soyer / @cansinsoyer