Niler proudly representing Tanzania at the Top model of the world pageant in Egypt Photo | file
What you need to know:
Every once in a while Tanzania witnesses the rise of a beauty queen who embraces the global stage bringing pride to her country
Niler Bernard, 21, is a Tanzanian model whose rise to modelling prominence has been nothing short of amazing. Her modelling debut dates back to a little over 6 months ago, when she made her first appearance at Fashion Week Zanzibar. Explaining more on this, the striking model states; “last year I went for my very first modelling audition at Fashion Week Zanzibar (FWZ). I was then chosen as one of the models who graced the stage at Mtoni palace ruins in Zanzibar.”
Having experienced the allure of the modelling life, Niler became more intrigued with the profession; this is evidenced by her decision to go for another audition which took place in December last year. “After FWZ, I heard that there were auditions for Tanzania Top Model, I decided to try my luck, I became the eventual winner,” Niler recounts.
Proving more to the world that she didn’t just stumble unto this career, Niler represented Tanzania at the 21st annual Top model of the world event in Egypt in April 2014. Being the odd contestant out who hailed from a peculiar country considered to be a nonentity, Niler once again, with odds stacked against her, proved her unmistakable charisma and authentic beauty by winning the Miss Photogenic category, and making it to the top 5 in the global competition. “Being a black girl, I had to be confident,” Niler explains. Adding more pressure to the debutante in international competitions, her fellow contestants, most of whom hailed from European countries didn’t know her country (Tanzania), “they thought it was in Europe,” states Niler. With an initial intended sole goal of returning back home triumphant as a beauty queen, Niler made it her second mission to make people know more about Tanzania, “by the time the competition came to an end, I’m sure everyone knew where Tanzania is, and all nature’s beauty that we are so abundantly blessed with,” Niler states. From the competition, Niler managed to make many friends, and collect a number of very significant contacts.
Niler’s accomplishment at the Top model of the world competition didn’t come as a surprise to her. She boasted utter self-assurance and extreme enthusiasm, “I worked hard to make it to the competition. From the onset of auditions, to eventually representing my country globally, I knew how dedicated I was and my expectations going to the competition were very high. I’m glad I didn’t disappoint myself, or my country,” Niler speaks.
One thing which Niler observed at the global modelling competition is how models are valued in modelling-advanced nations. To the contrary, here in Tanzania models are perceived as young desperate women who have a craving for fame and fortune. They become long-heralded for the wrong reasons. The situation in Tanzania is therefore not the least appealing.
On her role models
Deriving her modelling inspiration from some of the most acclaimed models in the world, Niler grips varying modelling traits from each one of them. She loves Naomi Campbell’s consistency, Heidi Klum’s appeal and back in Tanzania, Niler elates Millen Magese and Flaviana Matata’s pioneering influence in the local modelling industry in the country.
On her unique look
One thing which stood out about Niler at the global competition is her look and the demeanor in which she carries herself. Being African, Niler opted to have natural short hair, a contrasting look from when she made her first debut in Zanzibar, and also contrasting from her contestants. However, the look seems to have paid off, adding to her rather boyish type of apparels which she prefers - shying away from the usual feminine style.
Growing up, Niler didn’t have dreams of being a world class model, this occupation which she has become so good at, presented itself as a one-off try at the beginning. Now she seems set for a very auspicious journey into the modelling world. Niler, a holder of a diploma in record management has decided to concentrate fully on developing her modelling stint into a successful profession. She is now in the latter stages of preparing her own website where her fast growing number of fans can visit and know more about her. The website will have a lot more to offer to visitors, it’ll feature a lot of lifestyle content.
Niler’s future career prospects evidently revolve around modelling, she thus plans on becoming a fashion ambassador. With this role, she plans on using her status to appease some of the discontentment in the modelling industry, and the other plan is to continue her previously assumed role of advertising Tanzania to the rest of the world. Her success in such a short time speaks volumes of her capability. There’s more to expect from this young talent.
