Name & Surname: Nini Amerlise
City Of Origin:  Toronto, Ontario
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/NiniAmerlise
Instagram handle: @Nini_4u
Twitter handle: www.Twitter.com/NiniAmerlise1

Height – 5’10 || Bust – C34 ||Waist – 25||Shoe size – 9

Hair – Black/ Afro Texture || Eye colour – Dark Brown

How long have you been a professional model?

I started my journey back in 2014 as a very shy and introverted girl, there was an endless desire to aspire for change in my life. I was tired of believing what my peers would say about my looks, as bullying effected my mindset of how I viewed myself. I battled with anorexia nervosa, extreme anxiety, poor self-esteem and countless suicidal attempts. 2014 was the year where my restoration process began, I came across a casting online looking for the face of African Fashion week 2014 model search, I was intrigued but wrestled with the thought to apply. Ironically enough I faced my fear, within two weeks I got an email notice that I was accepted to compete. I didn’t rank in the competition, but God used this platform as a tool to ignite the fire of potential from within me; my life has never been the same since!

Did you walk into an agency or were you discovered?

In 2015 I came across a talent agency, which resulted in disappointment. I found out they were scam. Unfortunately, I already invested 1000$ from my school tuition savings which was non-refundable. I was enraged, however this experienced sharpened and increased my focus to want to learn the industry as a freelance model (for a three-year duration from 2014-2017). I became my own mother agent, I worked my way from the bottom up through networking, application of skill through volunteer shows, and collaborative photoshoots, and self-taught online marketing. Slowly but surely, I began to gain traction from top game players in the Canadian Demographic which further led me to attain revenue, many awards and achievements of recognition.

What do you love about being a model?

What I love the most about being a model is that I get to be the canvas who tells the story of the creative director or designer. The message being conveyed through the garment has the opportunity to be translated by the audience with the interpretation varying from person to person. I use modelling to connect with the masses, as we all have been designed to have an appreciation for the arts in some way, It connects us together. My aim is to spread the message of love, self-worth, empowerment and inspiration that our hardships isn’t to break us but make us into champions.

What are your greatest moment and your most embarrassing moment?

I feel my greatest moment was when I was announced as the “Inaugural winner of Supermodel Canada” in 2017, this competition is the spinoff of America Next Top model. It was an eye opener of how serious and depth my journey was becoming, I realized I am role model that has been called to inspire. As the first Black female in Canada to win a competition of this caliber, really showed me how much God transform us if we really allow him to lead. He has been my comforter throughout this entire process, teaching me that I’m never alone no matter how intimidating life can get. He has taught me what it means to be bold and have Godfidence to push through. In turn, I see the trickling effects of those being impacted to now focus on their own journey.
My most embarrassing moment, was when I tripped on the runway right as I entered the stage. The runway was drenched from the mist from the fog, the show directors used for effects. The audience saw this moment however, they applauded my recovery as I dived straight back into model mode to deliver a dynamic performance. A few celebrities came up to me after applauding my walk and craftsmanship.

Past and present model achievements?

Some of my most notable highlights include 5 Vogue international features to date, New York Fashion Week, Los Angeles Fashion week, Festival Mode & Design -Montreal, Toronto Men’s and Women’s Fashion Week, African Fashion Week Toronto, Global TV’s fashion segment for Ocean Avenue, CBC’s Dragons’ Den, Marshalls commercial, Kaela Kay’s editorial campaign featured in British Vogue, Huffington Post, The Daily Mail U.K., Tia Duffy’s “Be Body Aware” campaign for Vogue Italia, Flare Magazine, Glamour Magazine, The Karen Carrington Show, Runway work alongside the mother of the Oslen twins (McKenzie Olsen), The Golden Button fashion series currently aired on Afroglobal TV, walked the ramp for Oscar’s garment designer Shekhar Rahate, and beautifully highlighted on Corus Entertainment’s newly launched fashion series, Stitched.

In my recent interview with CTV regarding diversity in the fashion industry, I elaborated on my personal struggles as a multiracial model and how I overcame the stereotypes. Amongst these accomplishments, I was awarded “Top Model” at the Miss International City Pageant in 2015 and “Rising Star Canadian Model of the Year” in 2016 at the African industry Awards. In 2017, I competed and excitingly won “Supermodel Canada”, making me the competition’s inaugural winner. Recently, in 2018 I was awarded by Canadian Member of Parliament, Gary Anandasangaree, as a Community Activist and one of the “Top influential Black women in Canada”. God continued to open many more blessings later on that year, wining the Woman on fire – “Butterfly” Award, “Vigor Achievement” award, and as I took the bold step outside my comfort zone, I moved to California and surprisingly took home the title of “Miss Ghana LA 2018” and placing 3rd Runner up in the International “Miss Africa America” competition.

What do you aspire to have or achieve in 5 years?

Open my Restoration facility for the widowed, abused and homeless. Developing one’s ability to navigate through a society with a strong psychological, emotional, spiritual and physical basis.

Push my Mentoring program / campaign for the young generation. It will be a very transparent interactive platform to provide a voice to those who have felt silent and afraid to express ones self freely about their challenges with self-esteem and create opportunities to kick starts their goals and visions.

Who is your favourite designer to model runway for?

Chanel, I have many hopes to work with Chanel in the very near future. It’s such a timeless brand that evokes the regal quality of a woman. As a Royal, I would love for more of us women to practice our elegance and priesthood. I’m not perfect at keeping up with elegance, but it’s a beautiful journey into womanhood.

What beauty tips do you swear by?

Drink three bottles of water the night before you go on set, and you will wake up with beautifully hydrated skin, which will allow the makeup to adhere better to the face.

Would you go nude for a Million dollar contract?

Never, its not worth it to comprise my values and morals for a temporary sentiment of 1 million dollars. My body is a temple, and how one treats it will determine its longevity and respect. The body is a representation of who you are on the inside.

How do you feel about the controversy of the size 0 debate in the industry?

Size 0 is not the only form of beauty God has created, in order for the masses to appreciate one self, we must have constant reminders and representations of diversity in the industry, as we are all visual beings. The more diversity, the more we can appreciate each other’s differences and similarities. This will unite us as humanity, as we will begin to see through the lenses of love and not segregation. We will finally understand that God made us to love each other as we are, quirks, uniqueness and all, as God is love.

Your face is your commodity. What’s your industry-insider to grooming perfection?

Drinking lots of water to hydrate from within. For skin care it is vital to use simplified and natural products to keep the skins PH balanced to keep the skins elasticity. I use African Black Soap , peppermint and olive oil/ shea butter to lock in moisture , decreasing the chance of irritability.

Any regrets about modeling?

None at all! This is the very platform God has used to push me out of my comfort zone to align me towards my destiny. If it wasn’t for modelling, I would never know the endless possibilities and potentials I had deep inside.

What are the five fashion items you can’t do without? How would you describe your personal style?

Long trench coat, sleek back pack, closed toe pointed heels, long snug sweater dress and statement belt. My personal style varies based on my mood, I am a lover of colour, bold prints yet at the same time I enjoy simplicity. I am a bit of an old soul, so in most cases I can appear very conservative. Don’t get me wrong, there are days where I come off very playful and sometimes think I’m in high school again showing just a little too much, but that’s the beauty of it, none of us are perfect and we are all experiencing the incredible journey!

What do you think about the African modeling industry?

I love the rise of the African modelling industry. The African demographic has so much richness, power and love in its culture, which has been silenced for many years. I have noticed an interesting shift in entertainment/ fashion industry, which have prompted positive self-esteem in both the young and mature generation in various ways. Young African girls, who used to be ashamed of their chocolate, caramel or honey complexion, now have more representation of themselves in many movies, campaigns and the online social media world. With the push of Marvels “Black panther” movie, I have witnessed much incorporation of Ankara, bold prints and colours into one’s wardrobe, all while slowly moving away from western fashion. Ironically enough the western world recognizes there is a high demand for African fashion and are pushing these looks more into the main stream markets. I love seeing little black girls not be afraid to wear their cornrows, braids or afro crown. I can literally feel the smile God gives when He sees his children being themselves. I am excited, being that I am of Ghanaian roots, dark melanted skin, broad nose and coily hair, I would love to continue to push this beautiful transition in any way that I can. The more variation of diversity evokes the wide spectrum of God’s love to be emulated throughout the world.

What do you want to be remembered for?

Being authentically real, and honest. This in turn allows others to be themselves. I want to be one that has significantly took part in the restoration process of the young generation regarding self-esteem and love.  A woman who did not give up and surrender to her past, rather she used her storyto impact change, to understand self-worth and love.

If a young girl/boy wanted to be a model what would your advice for them be?

For those who are aspiring models or entrepreneurs, If you strongly believe that you found a field or career that suits you, I would advise you to remain task focused and passionate about what you do. As each day will come with its own challenges, but as long as you remember your purpose and why you began in the first place, you will do excellent!

Any last words to your admirers or shout outs to anyone?

Everyone is fearfully and wonderfully made. What that means is to be fearlessly YOU, because there will never be another YOU. Continue to walk with purpose and rise to your destiny!”