Since becoming Miss Rwanda in 2014, Colombe Akiwacu has never looked back. The 24-year-old beauty queen is a University student in France where she has also cultivated a modeling career doing a series of modeling gigs and commercial adverts with a number of international companies.
Akiwacu is also a philanthropist who takes great pride in giving back to the needy.
In an interview with Sunday Magazine’s Eddie Nsabimana, she narrated her journey after her Miss Rwanda reign.
How was your journey to become a top model in France like?
I started modeling even before I became Miss Rwanda. I featured among contestants at the very first edition of the Rwanda Premier Model competition in 2012. I was still young and although I was not selected, it did not discourage me from modeling.
The transition from being Miss Rwanda to being a model in France has not been easy. It all depends on the profile that modeling companies want and sometimes it is difficult to fit in those particular profiles but you get used to being rejected and still move on until you finally get your luck.
Is it more of a passion or a means to earn money?
Yeah, passion most of the times leads to business and you can’t do something in a perfect way if you are not passionate about it. But because I love modeling, I do it to my best and it brings me money in return.
What are some of the biggest companies that you work with?
I do commercial advertising with Dior (perfume and fashion collection house), Murielle Kabile (a France-based natural hair designer) and Yves Saint Laurent (fragrance/perfume maker).
What is the average pay for a model in France?
It depends on so many things, including the brand, the agency or the type of model you are. It can go between 100 euros to 10,000 euros per day.
What does it take to become a model in France?
It depends on the type of model you want to be in line with the criteria. For commercial modeling, they do not have many strict criteria…but for the runway, you have to be very skinny. I am 1.78 meter for 54 kilograms but they always want me to lose weight. It is so crazy.
Do you intend to stay in the fashion business after finishing school?
Sure. I like fashion so much and I have no plans to quit it soon. I can do as long as I am alive until age forces me to stop.
What advice would you give to young aspiring models?
All I can tell young people who want to become models is that they have to be strong and know their values and limits because it is a crazy industry that can drive you crazy if you are not strong enough to know what you want. And, again, they have to be persistent and never give up.
Tell us about your philanthropy initiatives.
Philanthropy has a big part in my life because I like to help people in need and the Miss Rwanda crown helped me a lot in driving philanthropy projects.
For instance, I used the Miss Rwanda title to knock on sponsors’ doors looking for support to build new homes for genocide survivors in Rwamagana, and I was excited that my proposal was approved.
I also paid health insurance for about 150 children. I like to come up with initiatives that have a positive impact on communities and this is something I won’t cease to do.
editor@newtimesrwanda.com