Shadders exclusively chats with Deborah Vanessa Owusu an Uber chiq Ghana based model, who has been making waves on the fashion scene and is involved in a handful of interesting projects. Deborah Vanessa Owusu is Graceful, creative and a hard-working model, she has a striking look which makes her stand out from the crowd and facial structure to die for. Deborah has been modeling ever since she was asked by her ballet costume designer, internationally acclaimed Ghana-based Nigerian Jimi Delaja, at the age of eleven to model for her at Kiddafest in 1995.

Born to an Ashanti father and a Romanian mother, Deborah was born and raised in Ghana and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Publishing Studies from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana and a Master Degree in Book and Journal Publishing from the University of the Arts London in England. With both degrees, she specialized in graphic design, illustration and printing (production). Aside modeling, she loves swimming, designing artwork, designing clothes, photography and traveling.

Although modeling has always been part time for her, she has landed contracts for brands such as Mawuli Okudjeto, Jimi Delaja, Europcar Ghana, Miss Ghana Beauty Pageant/Reality TV Show, Miss Malaika Ghana Beauty Pageant/ Reality TV Show, Tebazile, Vodafone Ghana, Cadbury Canada, Ghana Textiles Print (GTP), Woodin, Express (Picos Ltd.), Phamous Philms, Mina Evans, Ose Couture, Charlene Amankwah, FOB-ed Knits, and was crowned First Runner Up Miss Malaika Ghana in 2004.

However, Deborah shared and still shares her passion and knowledge in modeling; in 2008, she co founded an organization in London called Mannequin Academy with her mate and model friend Vanessa Bolosier from Guadeloupe. It’s a workshop aimed at educating aspiring models; they get to experience a unique opportunity to benefit from a thorough insight of the modeling industry and are helped to start a modeling career with confidence and knowledge. Now in Ghana, she voluntarily helps with choreography and catwalk training whenever the need and opportunity arises.

Deborah has modeled in Romania, Ghana, England, Scotland and Guadeloupe and has been featured in editorials such as FAB, BHF, Orijin, Agoo, Ovation, Applaud Africa and a couple of lifestyle blogs. She is down to earth, funny and a pleasure to work with. Read our interview with Deborah and be Inspired.

Shadders: What/Who influenced you to get into modelling?

Deborah: I started at a really young age, eleven, and I guess it was the idea of being in the limelight. I have always been attracted to being on a stage. I was dancing ballet at that time in my life and there was a new festival being organized for children in Ghana then (in Accra to be precise) called Kiddafest and the next thing I knew, my best friend and I were attending rehearsals at the National Theatre to take part in the Kiddafest fashion show everyday after school hours because we both loved the idea of performing for an audience.

What preparations did you take prior to entering into modelling?

Deborah: My first professional modelling show was for Jimi Delaja at Kiddafest in 1995. Prior to that show, we had intensive screening and training at the National Theatre (event venue) by a former Ghanaian model, too bad I cant remember her name; Cindy or Sheila, not sure. I remember we were asked not to swing our arms, not to deliberately cross our legs and to always keep a good posture; heads up, chest reasonably out and take long strides.

As I grew older, I had further modelling training by Herman, who now owns Spice Models (a modelling agency) and he trained me and other models for Ghana Textiles Print (GTP) shows, Woodin shows and others when his company was called Phase 1.

Shadders: Are you with a modelling agency and how do you get jobs?

Deborah: The only agency I have ever been with is Spice Models formerly and popularly known in Ghana as Phase 1 and run by Herman. However, that was only for a short period in my life, maybe two years, as modelling has always been part time and I was living in a different town from where it was located. I am with no agency at the moment and so I can say that I have been a freelance model almost all my life.

I never go out looking for jobs and they come to me once in a while through acquaintances that recommend me. However, I attended an audition in February 2010 for a TVC for a telecommunication company in Ghana and got the job, but since 2005, I hadn’t attended any auditions.

Shadders: What are some of the highs and lows of your modelling career?

Deborah: I will start with the lows, hehe, so we end on a happy note…Getting paid way too late, models not arriving on time for group rehearsals, thus delaying everyone else, rehearsing for hours with no food or water being provided and closing really late at night sometimes.

The highs are seeing the outfit that you are to catwalk and it fitting you nicely as well as complimenting your beautiful body (yah, I said it, haha), doing paid jobs or jobs where funds go to charity (so you feel like a Samaritan), getting great pictures for your portfolio after the show or shoot and sometimes having new hairstyles and make-up done for you by professionals; it keeps it all exciting!

Shadders: Apart from modelling, is there anything else that you do?

Deborah: Oh yes! I don’t even know where to start; I’m a typical Jack (Jill) of all trades! I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Publishing Studies from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana where I specialised in Design and Illustration and a Master Degree in Book and Journal Publishing from the London College of Communication under the University of the Arts London in the UK where I hold ABC Certificates in Desktop Publishing Skills, Lithographic Print Processes and Web Production Skills.

Thus I work as a freelance designer (I do both clothes’ design and graphic design) and I’m getting more into writing now as I’m preparing to publish a magazine and I’m also working on a movie script based on the director’s story at Phamous Ltd (a multimedia company in Ghana) as well as writing copy and concepts for Phamous’s video clips and TVCs.

I also host documentaries (did one for Cadbury Canada on fair trade in Ghana), present TV Shows (Miss Ghana 2010, Miss Malaika 2010, Environmental News and yet to come, Phamous TV) as well as MCing once in a while.

Shadders: As a model what are some of your beauty/health regimes?

Deborah: Hmmm, I don’t really have strict ones but I eat only when I am hungry (yes, ‘belee’ dat!) And I never eat to get full. The only form of exercise I do, which is not even regular is swimming. I used to dance and would usually add that to my list of health regimes, but I don’t anymore (boohoo). I also try to avoid eating wheat, flour, meat and sugar and it keeps me healthy.

My face and skin are my fortune, so I always moisturise my body (all day everyday) and keep my face clean as much as I can; I use a Neutrogena face wash and Neutrogena cream like make-up remover and I treat spots as soon as I feel one coming up.

Lastly, I always make sure that I have my ‘hurr and nails did’ because you never know when you will be called for an audition!

Shadders: Most inspiring lesson or words you heard from someone, whether a friend, fellow model or photographer?

Deborah: My closest model friend and business partner, Vanessa Bolosier from Guadeloupe said to me, ‘if you call yourself beautiful, you’ll be beautiful and if you say that you are ugly, you’ll be ugly’. Since then, I avoid telling myself anything negative. What we say we are is what people will see us as.

Shadders: What’s your style when it comes to fashion?

Deborah: I love dressing elegantly with a bit of funk when I go for special events, I love vintage stuff, I love peg trousers and pencil skirts, I love Jackie O’s style and during the day I love to be comfortable, but with me, comfort also covers wearing high heels and I love looking quirky and wearing a lot of colour most times too. Basically, I love to stand out.

Shadders: You recently modelled for African Fashion Designer Mina Evans, how was that?

Deborah: It was a perfect launching for her line! We had a decent crowd in attendance, the MC/Host was fun, Studio 53 was there to cover it, Capture – your memory bank- was also present to take great pictures of us all and her two pieces that I modelled were amongst my favourite if not my favourite.

I modelled a flowing white maxi, empire-waist gown that blended into sea blue at the bottom and made you feel like you were in the Caribbean and another dress, short with sophisticated wine sleeves that reminded me of the wings of a dragon fly; I liked them a lot. I loved our hair and make-up that night and admired the support Mina herself received from her family and friends. It was a huge success

Shadders: What is your opinion on African fashion in general?

Deborah: African fashion is fun, vibrant, interesting, sometimes a bit too overwhelming but most times inspiring as it’s a fusion of many different cultures, even Asian and European.

Shadders: Who are your favourite African Fashion Designers?

Deborah: Heni, Deola Sagoe and Christie Brown.

Shadders: Five things you can’t live without?

Deborah: I can’t live without body butter, mascara, stilettos, a bikini and deodorant.

Shadders: How can a new model bring edge to this industry?

Deborah: He or she has to be strikingly beautiful or handsome, have confidence and a strong presence.

Shadders: Any words of advice for a young lady who aspires to be a model?

Deborah: The industry is very competitive indeed so do not believe that if you are one of the few taken on by an agency you will find instant success, fame and fortune. The task of getting to and from castings, auditions, go sees can mount up and you still may not have got one assignment, so some finances behind you or a part time job are a must at the start. You may even find that the rejection and competitiveness of this industry is not for you so do not forfeit education and exams for the sake of this very short-term career. However, when you succeed, take it very seriously and be prepared to sacrifice a lot of your time.

Shadders: Any final words for the Shadders.net users?

Deborah: Keep supporting and promoting the African Fashion Industry and remember that you are what you say you are! Keep saying that you are beautiful and stay happy!

CONTACT:

www.twitter.com/deborahvanessa7

www.facebook.com/deborahvanessa7

Email: dvowusubonsu@gmail.com

Deborah is cute and lovely, thanks for taking time out to chat with Shadders, we wish you success with future endeavours we looking forward to seeing more from you. There you have it guys, her contact details are above for bookings of modelling jobs.

All Images Via Deborah’s Facebook page

Some of the Photographers include: Bob Pixel, Azza Az, Barbara,