My mother is German and father is from Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa. I love being multicultural and it's always been interesting to me to learn about both of my cultures. Growing up in Germany I was lucky to experience both cultures. We cooked both cuisines at home - Ivorian and German, listened to both types of music, and so on. My Dad grew up in an African village very connected to nature, and both of my parents were already very health conscious back then. I was not allowed to use any chemicals on my hair and skin.
They always said “NATURAL IS BEAUTIFUL.” I wasn’t even allowed to straighten my hair because my parents wanted me to embrace who I am and my ethnic heritage. I can still hear them saying “BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL.” They told me I was healthy: I was eating well, sleeping well, exercising regularly, and being kind to myself and others. I will project it to the outside, and my skin will glow, my hair will be strong, and since I am healthy, I will radiate in the most beautiful way possible.
“I can still hear them saying ‘BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL.”
The concept of beauty I was taught is inclusive, there is no one beauty ideal but everyone is beautiful in their unique way of being and that beauty comes from within and being good to yourself. “HEALTHY IS BEAUTIFUL.” We would use very few natural products like coconut oil, shea butter, and natural soap at home.
Beauty is self-love and confidence. I still have a holistic take on beauty: if you are kind to yourself and others, if you eat well, exercise, and sleep enough - you become the healthiest version of yourself, which is the most beautiful version of yourself. The eating part is clear but there is also a psychological part, that confidence is what makes you shine. You can’t get that from a cream! Love yourself the way you are! It's YOU! Don't try to be like anybody else.
"If you are kind to yourself and others, if you eat well, exercise, and sleep enough - you become the healthiest version of yourself, which is the most beautiful version of yourself."
I’ve been modeling since 2015, so I have seen many phases of the industry. The definition of beauty in the fashion industry has changed and it is certainly more inclusive. I love seeing different kinds of beautiful people being more and more empowered, but there is a long way to go until people understand that beauty comes from being specifically YOUR best self only.
I love Prakti’s mission to inspire women to fearlessly pursue multidimensional, fulfilling lives. Having conversations with friends like Pritika inspires me and I think it's so important to read and inform yourself about different topics so we can really find out what resonates with us. I have a very curious mind and I love learning new things. I always go intuitively after the feeling I have while doing something. If it sparks joy I do more of it. My motivation is to live a fulfilled life and to make the most of this one life we have been given.
