Chelsi conquers world
By now you should know that Chelsi Shikongo isn't your typical model.
With her beauty that radiates from the inside out, athletic physique and gorgeous short hair, Chelsi Shikongo is taking the modelling world by storm.
These attributes are complemented by her passion for modelling and a determination to excel in whatever she does.
Chelsi proudly represents Namibia on the international modelling scene.
In her twenties, she is a go-getter who is obviously destined for greatness.
Having worked on numerous ad campaigns, she has walked on some of the most famous runways around the world, and has become the blueprint for those who aspire to take their modelling careers internationally. Chelsi's journey into the modelling world officially kicked off in 2016 and since then she has gone on to work for some of the biggest entities in fashion.
“This year I did a campaign for SM Youth for the Mall of Asia in the Philippines, an ad for Skip South Africa, worked for Pringle of Scotland, the global campaign for Appletiser South Africa and also on multiple campaigns for summer and winter for Mr Price South Africa,” Chelsi said.
She was also in Milan in February for the Italian city's fashion week and also attended a presentation for famous fashion designer Giuseppe.
“I had the opportunity to work in Portugal shooting for the brand Sensil Brazil,” she said.
Her goals include always excelling at her work, taking care of her family and taking part in the famous Miami Fashion Week.
“I would also love to work for all the big beauty and clothing brands in the United States, from Fenty Beauty to House of Cob and Asos, and lastly to be part of the L'Oréal Paris in-house models,” Chelsi said.
She disclosed that her strength as a model is knowing that all this hard work really does pay off, and that nobody can do what she does the way she executes it, which is her superpower.
Despite her busy schedule, Chelsi runs a project called I Can Say No, which she describes as youth empowerment company that promotes abstinence, prevents unwanted pregnancies and find ways to minimise the rate of teenage pregnancies in Namibia through comprehensive sex education and communication.
“We only commenced with phase one of achieving our aims, which is to spread awareness, educate and support through apparel,” she said.
Highlighting the setbacks she has encountered in the international modelling arena, Chelsi said some entail having to deal with working on a production where no one speaks English properly, especially when it's the photographer and she needs to take direction.
“It made me very anxious, but I overcame that as I try my best to understand what exactly he wants from me, and also there's always people who can help on production, and regardless, we always create amazing work together.
“I also had to deal with working on set where a make-up artist didn't have the shade of foundation for a black model, regardless of getting the information,” she said.
Her social media platforms are fun and impressive. Asked if she is conscious about the content she puts out, Chelsi acknowledged that she is cognisant of that. She said she is aware that she can gain or lose a job by what she posts.
“I feel like some people believe that is how we live, that we are happy all the time, but the trick is we always need to put our best foot forward, especially as models, because that's where most of us get scouted and evaluated.
“I have a personal page on Instagram @namibiangirlhumour and I really enjoy putting out content on that page, because my main goal in life is to be an entertainer, so that's what I do on my personal Instagram page,” Chelsi added.
MICHAEL KAYUNDE
These attributes are complemented by her passion for modelling and a determination to excel in whatever she does.
Chelsi proudly represents Namibia on the international modelling scene.
In her twenties, she is a go-getter who is obviously destined for greatness.
Having worked on numerous ad campaigns, she has walked on some of the most famous runways around the world, and has become the blueprint for those who aspire to take their modelling careers internationally. Chelsi's journey into the modelling world officially kicked off in 2016 and since then she has gone on to work for some of the biggest entities in fashion.
“This year I did a campaign for SM Youth for the Mall of Asia in the Philippines, an ad for Skip South Africa, worked for Pringle of Scotland, the global campaign for Appletiser South Africa and also on multiple campaigns for summer and winter for Mr Price South Africa,” Chelsi said.
She was also in Milan in February for the Italian city's fashion week and also attended a presentation for famous fashion designer Giuseppe.
“I had the opportunity to work in Portugal shooting for the brand Sensil Brazil,” she said.
Her goals include always excelling at her work, taking care of her family and taking part in the famous Miami Fashion Week.
“I would also love to work for all the big beauty and clothing brands in the United States, from Fenty Beauty to House of Cob and Asos, and lastly to be part of the L'Oréal Paris in-house models,” Chelsi said.
She disclosed that her strength as a model is knowing that all this hard work really does pay off, and that nobody can do what she does the way she executes it, which is her superpower.
Despite her busy schedule, Chelsi runs a project called I Can Say No, which she describes as youth empowerment company that promotes abstinence, prevents unwanted pregnancies and find ways to minimise the rate of teenage pregnancies in Namibia through comprehensive sex education and communication.
“We only commenced with phase one of achieving our aims, which is to spread awareness, educate and support through apparel,” she said.
Highlighting the setbacks she has encountered in the international modelling arena, Chelsi said some entail having to deal with working on a production where no one speaks English properly, especially when it's the photographer and she needs to take direction.
“It made me very anxious, but I overcame that as I try my best to understand what exactly he wants from me, and also there's always people who can help on production, and regardless, we always create amazing work together.
“I also had to deal with working on set where a make-up artist didn't have the shade of foundation for a black model, regardless of getting the information,” she said.
Her social media platforms are fun and impressive. Asked if she is conscious about the content she puts out, Chelsi acknowledged that she is cognisant of that. She said she is aware that she can gain or lose a job by what she posts.
“I feel like some people believe that is how we live, that we are happy all the time, but the trick is we always need to put our best foot forward, especially as models, because that's where most of us get scouted and evaluated.
“I have a personal page on Instagram @namibiangirlhumour and I really enjoy putting out content on that page, because my main goal in life is to be an entertainer, so that's what I do on my personal Instagram page,” Chelsi added.
MICHAEL KAYUNDE
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