Fab Spotlight: Meet Cynthia Ongera

Wednesday spotlight… Yes, please!!! They say nothing is more beautiful like a woman confident in her own skin and living unapologetic about it. Cynthia, is one tall lady, oozing melanin, itches with creativity yet very calm and ambitious. From her creative handmade pieces of art and her stride on the runway, you can always count on Cynthia to cheer you up with stories and laughter. Here is our short interview with her…

Describe yourself in three words.

Confident, creative, an entrepreneur.

Other than modeling, what else do you do?

I am currently a third year student at the South Eastern Kenya University in Kitui, pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Education Arts. I am also an artist – I do a lot of paintings and drawings, design cards as wells as creative attires for beauty pageants in school.

Elaborate body positivity in your own word.

Body positivity to me is the aspect of one loving, appreciating and embracing every part of their body for I believe self-love is the basic tool for one’s confidence.

What do you carry in your model bag?

My model bag carries quite a number of items that I can’t go without and they include my make-up  kit, lip gloss, hair accessories,wet wipes, a pair of heels, bottled water, energy drink, note book and pen.

What prompted you to join modelling?

I wanted to be a model since I was little. As I grew up, the notion people had that the ideal models should be slim and tall kind of shattered me since I didn’t fit in the category. Most of the time, in high school and also in the university I always ended up designing outfits for others as they were deemed the right size and acceptable to the society.

Then with the help of the internet, I came to learn about Ashley Graham, Tess Holliday among other plus size models both internationally and nationally rocking the runway so well and my passion for modelling was reawakened.

Do people make fun of you being a plus size model?

Yes they do. Most of the people I interact with and I happen to mention to them that I am a model end up saying, “Aren’t you a little too big to be a model?”

I don’t let their kind of thinking get to me because my body confidence comes from embracing myself. Self-love. The dogma in the society is that most people equate modeling to a certain height, body shape, looks but what they really don’t know is that the truth is far away from that in this modern world.

Who are some of your favorite models and designers, and why?

Ashley Graham, Tess Holiday, Tyra Banks and Naomi Campbell. I love their energy, their confidence and how they own the runway during their strut.

Evelyn Akinyi Adongo, she inspires me so much, having started from a very humble beginning all the way up to the top and now she is not only a great fashion designer but also an entrepreneur. To add on she started the MEFA Art Centre which aims at helping other people develop their talents in fashion and design.

Which fashion magazines, websites, blogs, and catalogs do you visit most often?

Plus Fab Magazine, Couture Africa and I mostly read online, whenever I have the chance.

What’s your fashion mantra?

My fashion mantra… Elegance is beauty that never fades.

How would you describe your style?

Simple with a touch of elegance and divine.

Where do you generally shop?

Jade collections for now, am still discovering other great ones.

What does fashion mean to you?

To me, fashion is not about the fancy clothes, shoes and jewelry but a long creative process. It is the craft behind everything, all the details from the fabric to the cut out designs to the sewing and branding to the last detail including all the hard work put in, that’s what fashion is to me.

How has modeling changed other aspects of your life?

Through interactions with models, photographers, make-up artists and designers, I have learnt to be more social and more of a team player. Team work achieves a lot. I  appreciate every one who works behind the scene more for their work is not actually easy. Achieving perfection is quite a pressure. I have also learnt not to overlook at any details in your work.

What is your workout routine?

I go for morning jogs around our estate. In the evening, I do 30 minutes cardio work out at least twice a week. My preferred and best work out is walking most of the times.

What is your fashion rule?

Always rock whatever you wear, stand out.

If you would like to be featured as the Fab Spotlight of the week, write to us via info@plusfabulosity.com, email 4 -6 pictures of your best looks and a small bio of yourself.

Stay Fabulous!!!