Social media as an amplification tool

By Segun Ibrahim

Phoebe Grace Olukemi, better known in the modelling world as Phoebe Kemi, has been celebrating the African essence for as long as I can remember. I got introduced to her page over four years ago. While the world was battling COVID 19, her page served as a means of whiling away time. While I was checking her out, I was already tapping into her experience, it also served as inspiring. With just 21 posts, and about fifty thousand followers. She has gradually made her mark in the fashion and modelling industry. Unknown to people, she moved to New York City in 2020, her relocation greatly helped in solidifying her status as a model. It also opened up more opportunities for her

Beyond spicing up her Instagram post with words Yoruba language, she has always been a firm believer in her culture and language. Her posts are minimal, concise and swift, no long talk, more of qualities. Either she is on the runway at The New York Fashion Week, granting interviews to top international magazines around the world, or beaming with excitement when she talks about her gender based advocacy.

Being vulnerable is hardly what anyone wants to show however Kemi has opened up on her struggle, how the separation between her father and mother affected her, coming to Nigeria for secondary education and how much she cherishes Kabba, Kogi State, Nigeria. She could have hushed such a topic yet she briefly spoke about it and in a way, she is motivating people who might have found themselves in such situations. With the increase in separation, divorce, there is no doubt that this type of topic is relatable to almost everyone. Even if your parents are still together, you would know someone, maybe your friend whose parents are no longer together.

One of the domino effects of COVID-19 has been the way social media is being used to amplify a product or service, Phoebe Kemi has been smart with her approach. She followed the age long talk of the lesser, the most Impactful. For a Nigerian American who has been in the United States for many years, she has become a beacon of hope for the black. She has continually shown that she is a force to reckon with. Her irregular work with global luxury brands shows how much premium they place on her.

She has appeared on the runway at Milan Fashion Week. She was one of the models who strutted at the Anthony Rubio Women’s Wear & Canine Couture New York Fashion Week in 2022. Two years earlier, she replicated that feat at Anthony Rubio Women’s Wear & Canine Couture, New York Fashion Week. With her eye set on greater things, there is no doubt that she would be modelling for more global brands in years to come.

Not only that, Phoebe Kemi is also an author who debuted this year’s September with Model Essentials: A Beginner’s Handbook, distributed through her own imprint. The handbook, Model Essentials: A Beginner’s Handbook is a comprehensive guide designed to equip aspiring models with the foundational knowledge needed to navigate the modeling industry. Written from the perspective of someone who began her career at just 18 without prior guidance, the book combines personal anecdotes with practical advice to demystify the challenges and opportunities in the field.

The handbook covers essential topics, including understanding the different types of modeling, building a professional portfolio, preparing for castings, and managing expectations in a competitive environment. It emphasizes the uniqueness of every model and the importance of identifying the path that aligns with individual strengths and goals.

With a clear and approachable tone, Phoebe Kemi offers readers actionable steps to break into the fashion world while addressing misconceptions about the profession. This book serves as a first step for anyone passionate about modeling, making it an invaluable resource for beginners seeking to build confidence and succeed in their careers.

With the world now entering more of visual, it is believed that Phoebe Kemi would explore this arc, perhaps with approval from the company she would show her audience more behind the scenes of her shoot, showing the fun side of her.