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AT THE TOP OF HER GAMEVicky Ngari-WilsoN started modelliNg at 15 iN the Uk aNd, to date, she has reigNed as miss keNya Uk, miss east africa Uk aNd exqUisite ‘most beaUtifUl’ face of UNiVerse. a chat With this stUNNiNg WomaN reVeals hoW she maNaged to do it. by EvErlynE Mosongo

orn in Nairobi, Kenya, Vicky Ngari-Wilson moved to England at the age of 10. With a vision of joining media, she studied film and television in college before

pursuing a degree in creative writing at university. “I loved the expression of styling – taking what is already there and creating something new – so I started in fashion as an assistant stylist while at university,” she says, as to the reason why she shifted gears. “I was blessed with the opportunity to work with high profile people like Caprice and Hollywood stars like Gemma Artertone,” Vicky confides. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START MODELLING? I’ve always loved how great stars depict a captivating energy on stage. As a young girl, I danced, sang and acted, imitating the greats. Expressive arts were what I wanted to do. Modelling wasn’t the ideal path but when I was told from a young age that I had something commercially, so I went for it – I wanted to see more girls that looked like me being celebrated. However, my intention, when I joined Miss Kenya UK and Miss East Africa UK was to get involved with the pageants as a stylist. The founders insisted I enter the contests – there was an internal nudge – then it was game on.

DID YOU EVER IMAGINE WINNING THE TWO TITLES AT A GO? Once I was in the competition? Yes. When I commit to something, I’ll fight for it. There was a lot prayers and preparation. However, not before then as the dreams I’d had about pageants were long gone. This just goes to show that whatever you are drawn to, when you’re young, is a hint of your destiny.

HOW DID WINNING MISS EAST AFRICA UK AFFECT YOUR LIFE? Well, here I am being interviewed by Drum! It gave me exposure and power to knock on doors. A voice to start social change.

bPHOTOGRAPHS: IMAGES c/O VIcKY NGARI-wILSON

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WHAT DID YOU SET OUT TO ACHIEVE WITH THE TWO TITLES AND HAVE YOU ACCOMPLISHED IT? At the time, I was confident that the organisation had solid plans to raise funds and awareness for disadvantaged children in East Africa. We did push at every opportunity to accomplish this. I decided to go the corporate route and develop as many relationships as I could in the well-established philanthropic and finance networks. Through international philanthropic and business conferences, I have had the opportunity to address the issue of youth development in Africa. I have done this through the Milken Institute, which I love. I was honoured to be part of their Young Leaders Circle. Other conferences I have addressed are in industries like finance and agriculture. Nevertheless, the journey continues, even though I have represented my country in large philanthropic and business conferences and high profile meetings internationally where I have voiced the need for Africa’s youth developments.

WHICH YOUTH/WOMEN EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMS ARE YOU INVOLVED IN, HERE IN KENYA? We are launching a branch of Her on Top (HOT) in Kenya, my own women’s empowerment campaign, which will be Africa’s nucleus and will have Captain Irene Koki Mutungi’s (Kenya Airways) mentorship for girls in career programme. HOT aims to educate girls about finance, economy and entrepreneurship through fashion and beauty while challenging the media’s depiction of sexy, which according to HOT is a woman who is on top of her game.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO LAUNCH HOT? After going through some hardships myself over the last few years, I became frustrated when I couldn’t get financial, economic and business education that spoke to me without jargon, without having to spend years at university and in an appealing way. I also believe there is a lack of real life knowledge for women who set out to be big in business as they are hindered by circumstances. In addition, the reality is that women have rarely spoken of the challenges of balancing work and personal lives – I wanted to create a brand that reminds women of who they are when they are not wearing all these different hats, a brand that grows emotionally and economically strong young women from all backgrounds.

WHAT PROMPTED THE VISIT TO KENYA IN MAY, OTHER THAN VISITING FAMILY, OF COURSE. With all the talk of gender equality in Kenya and the country’s growing economic stability, the time seemed fitting to come home and start setting foundations for the exciting future. Moreover, I needed some nyama choma and githeri. I have lived in the UK for 18 years but I would love to come home. London will always be a base.

DO YOU SEE THE IMPORTANCE OF BEAUTY PAGEANTS? Hmmm, here I go getting in trouble – OK I know this will come out controversial but they are not, unless we are crowning all round beauty and purpose. I want to hold a HOT Pageant where we’re not just showing size six girls in bikinis but making them

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pitch business and social enterprise plans. I’d like to see pageants where we are not just rewarding girls with clothes and luxuries but with a team, an office and seed capital.

DO YOU THINK BEAUTY PAGEANTS ARE TAKEN SERIOUSLY IN KENYA? IF YOU WERE IN A POSITION TO, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE TO MAKE THEM BETTER? Pageants in Kenya are not as popular as in other countries hence why we need a fresh approach that speaks universally. I’ll be happy to hold the first HOT Pageant in Kenya.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU GET TIME OFF TO VACATION? My vacations are impulsive. I try to get some leisure time in business trips. My favourite destination in the world so far is Capri in the Amalfi Coast. I still want to visit Australia and more countries in Asia.

WHAT DO YOU DO TO KEEP FIT? I attempt to work out most days. I usually start with a four or five mile run or I do the Insanity work out followed by some sort of conditioning using kettle bells or free weights.

WHAT’S YOUR PERSONAL STYLE? Sporty usually in a gym outfit, this can be sexy by the way. I love unusual suits and avant-garde pieces, simple dresses. To round it up… sporty, glam and always classic. I can’t leave the house without my phone, hand cream and lip balm either.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED FOR? A woman who helped smash the glass between the commercial industries and social change. A great mother, a giving, unapologetically bad ass, fun, stylish woman.

WHOM DO YOU LOOK UP TO IN THE MODELLINGINDUSTRY? In modelling, I look up to Liya Kebede who works tirelessly to advocate for children and mothers. I look up to Linda Evangelista, Iman and Tyra Banks for their business acumen. There is also ‘The Stallion’, Naomi Campbell, who I had the pleasure of interviewing via Huffington Post. I don’t necessarily want to follow in their footsteps, I would like to take my own successful strides, carrying what I learn from these women.

WHO IS YOUR GO-TO DESIGNER WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE DRESSING UP? I love Isabell Yalda Hellysaz – she is incredibly feminine and masculine at the same time and Kimolo designs that I regularly work with. Kimolo understands how to mix ethnic with contemporary to create universal pieces.

“With all thE talk of gEndEr Equality in kEnya and thE country’s groWing

EconoMic stability, thE tiME sEEMEd fitting to coME hoME and start sEtting foundations for thE Exciting futurE. i havE livEd in thE uk for 18 yEars but i

Would lovE to coME hoME. london Will alWays bE a basE”

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