PHOTOGRAPHER : SYNTHIA BAHATI
MAKE UP ARTIST : RUTH BARON
HAIRDRESSER : RUTH BARON
MEET VANESSA UMUGABEKAZI
“I am very passionate about creating safe and positive
working spaces for models”
Tell us about yourself?
My name is Vanessa Umugabekazi, I am
a creative mostly known for my work as
a model. In addition with modelling I also
write expressive pieces, I dance and I sing
too. Due to my inquisitive nature I am con-
stantly exploring, whether that be through
different ventures, art forms or my person-
al style. I am full Rwandese however, I was
raised in Auckland, New Zealand. I moved to
New Zealand at the tender age of 4 and have
been living here since. I am very passionate
about creating safe and positive working
spaces for models.
How did you become a model?
As far back as I can remember I
always had an interest in modelling, whether
that was making sure I was posed and ready
for a photo or putting on runway shows at
home for my mum and aunties ,modelling
was something that got me excited. Since a
young age I had heard it from many people
that I should become a model. I remember
when I was younger I was scouted by a few
agency scouts - at the time I was shy and
didn’t pursue the opportunities to have fur-
ther meetings with agents. After working
with a few photographers I gained confi-
dence in my ability to pursue modelling as
a career/job. I signed to my first modelling
agency at eighteen and the rest was
history