model focus
NellRobinson
Tall, skinny and Jamaican, Nell’s a
stunning, but unlikely supermodel
A
t 5ft 10 and with enchanting for black people in the modelling
green eyes, Jamaica-born world. It’s so much more difficult.
Janelle ‘Nell’ Robinson has If you’re watching a catwalk show
taken the modelling world by they only use one black model
storm. Her stunning looks helped or maybe two and I think it’s so
her to win the first Supermodel unfair. I have no idea why they do
of the Caribbean title in 2002 this, but I think that they should
and she has now featured in concentrate more on that then
campaigns for J-Lo and Victoria’s on skinny model problems. They
Secret, in fashion magazines should make this an issue instead
Vogue and Cosmopolitan and of going on all the time about
on the cover of top British men’s models being too skinny.
magazines Arena and GQ. Nell has
shot with internationally renowned When did you get into your
photographers Marc Baptiste and present career?
Ellen Von Unwerth and owns a People in the industry kept on
successful promotions company telling me that I should model
with her two brothers called Free-I because of my height, my size and
Entertainment. The stunning my bust and the head [Kingsley
model now resides in the UK and Cooper] of an agency in Jamaica
has just completed a number of called Pulse (the Caribbean’s
runway shows at London fashion number one modelling agency)
week. Here the 23-year-old suggested that I enter the
beauty is eager to talk to Flavour Supermodel Of The Caribbean
cATWAlk queen: Nell has
Magazine about her busy career. competition and I did that and I
modelled all over the world
won. I’ve been modelling full-time
Tell us about your background for four years and before that I was
I was born 29 August, 1985 and just getting prepared, looking after the museums, the plays and
I’ve lived in Kingston, Jamaica myself and studying in school. shows that you can go to, but I
my whole life and now I live in couldn’t live without my Jamaica
London because of my modelling. When and how did you know friends, Jamaica food, Jamaica
I’m based here and I fly over this is what you wanted to do? people, or Jamaica.
to New York every few months Well my mum Janette Finson
for castings and everything but used to be a model when she Is it a struggle for you to stay so
Jamaica is home. My mum is very was younger and everybody said thin. Do you have a secret?
light-skinned Jamaican, her dad’s I should too so I decided to enter Luckily, unlike some models,
dad was English and my dad’s the competition and take it from weight isn’t an issue for me. I’m
mum is Portuguese and the rest of there. It’s been really amazing. I’ve what they’d call a marga [skinny]
the family are Jamaican. So there’s been able to travel to so many girl back home. My whole family
a big mixture in my family. different countries and have seen is really tall and skinny, so I’ve
so many different cultures. This never had that problem. I can eat
What are the opportunities for is a dream come true. I never anything that I want and the only
ethnic minorities in your field? thought that I would ever be in this thing that gains weight is my chest
It’s been 20 years since Naomi position. It’s not all glamorous, which isn’t a problem. I live on
Campbell was discovered in the though. It can be tough and the Jamaican food. My favourite dish
UK and I think that it is harder travelling can really take its toll, is ackee and salt fish and when
but you just have to maintain a I’m here in the UK I go to Ochi
positive attitude and keep your Rios or Mr Jerk’s to get dinner. It’s
head on your shoulders and the one sure way that I can feel
everything will turn out fine. connected to home.
What challenges have you faced What is the secret of your
in this profession and how have success? Go on, tell us…
you dealt with them? I’ve no particular secret, I’m afraid.
I’m a fun girl and I never really let You need to have height, be slim
things get me down so I rise to and you need to have something
any challenge. The hardest thing is different about you which I think
missing home. I miss the people, I have. My advice to anybody out
I miss the close-knit community, there doing what I do is that you
I miss the beach, the sun, the should could eat properly, stay
food, the parties – everything! But healthy and drink a lot of water.
that’s why I go home as often as I You should take care of your skin
can. I’m there every 2-3 months. and don’t party to much or you’ll
SKINNY GIRL: Nell’s family are
Don’t get me wrong though, I love look run down, go to the gym and
ds by Annika Allen
thin, so weight’s not a problem England because of the culture, keep your heart pumping.
or
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