‘My slim, long, nicely toned legs, and my pretty face; they get me the best jobs’

Supermodels always look so polished and perfect on the catwalk… like they are not of this world. Of course, they always have perfect skin, body frame; what with services of best makeup artists, photographers, and beauty consultants in the world. South Africa-based Nigerian supermodel and the face of Nivea, Fome Emede, has become a stunning and exotic face for the African and United Kingdom publics. Signed on to different and top modelling agencies in SA, UK and Nigeria — Star Model Management, Johannesburg; Pure Model Management, Cape town; Zone Models, London; and Beth Models Nigeria.

Aside from being the face of Nivea Body Moisturiser, the major Pan African campaign that brought her to limelight, Fome was also one of the faces of Kenya Airways global. She says, “It’s been very exciting, fulfilling, and at the same time humbling. It has made me realised that I can achieve any dream I have as long as I have the courage to chase them incessantly. I also got lots of attention from younger models seeking advice and I love being able to give it to them and encourage them. That gives me a lot of fulfillment.”

Over the years, the super model has been able to maintain her competitive edge with her unique and irresistible style.

To get the Supermodel Fome look

Be a trendsetter: Just like Fome, stylish person is not a fanatic follower of fashion. In fact, style is mostly associated with individuality; it helps to reveal a person’s character, mood and even dreams. Fome is good at choosing that kind of clothes, which ideally fits her.

Actually Make an Effort: You do not need to get glammed up everyday but always try to look presentable — it will then become a mantra and filter through to other things in your life — looking better will make you feel better.

Don’t Blindly Follow Fashion: Just because something is in trend does not mean it looks good. The dream of the fashion industry is to keep you buying new clothes — not to make you look good. Because something is fashionable does not automatically make it stylish and elegant.

True style and elegance is timeless. According to Fome, “I would describe my style with three words: simple, elegant and chic.” She adds, “what is unique about my style is the fact that I don't necessarily have to follow trends to look good. It’s extremely important for me to wear only what I feel comfortable in.”

Hair: Your hair makes one of the biggest impacts. Hair straighteners and new products mean even those with troublesome and unruly hair can still look great. As to styles, make sure it matches the overall look you are going for. Darker colours with a hint of background colour tend to look classy.

Dress from the inside out: The right lingerie will make you feel instantly sexier and more confident. It needs not be reserved for ‘special occasions.’

Go Glamorous - Glam it Up: When the time is right, go for maximum glamour, pull out all the stops. Look and feel fabulous but do it for yourself — not for a man. Sure he’ll appreciate it but the value to your self-esteem and confidence is incalculable. You don’t need to look like a hooker but can still look incredibly sexy and elegant if you do it properly — works for all ages and body types — make the most of yourself from time to time. Fome shows the sizzling effect of truly going glamorous.

Jeans it up, cherish your Fav: Jeans can make or break you. They are a staple in most people’s wardrobes and are amongst the most versatile and cost effective items of clothing. They can cover 90 per cent of occasions from just being casually dressed to going out. Casual denim and other comfortable wardrobe items can look classy and elegant when paired with the right accessories and shoes. A simple, dressy up-do can also transform a casual look, as can a chic handbag or designer shoes.

You can combine everyday clothing items with expensive and fancy accessories to create a casually elegant style for day or night. Choose the right denim or other casual clothing item. Not all denim are created equally, and if you are striving for a casually elegant look, choose dark denim, without any tears or holes. Fome retorts, “my most cherished fashion piece are: a pair of jeans I got at Berksha on Oxford Street, and leggings from Miss Sixty. They are extremely comfortable, and fit perfectly well, especially length wise. Also my Zara blazers, which I can pair with almost anything. Masai hand crafted earrings and necklaces from Kenya… they are colourful and very unique pieces which I treasure. I also have a brown Tory Burch sling/clutch bag that I love. For evening outings I fold it into a clutch and during the day it serves as a sling bag!”

Go casual, complement your body type: Wear a comfortable dress in a soft, casual fabric. Make sure that the dress complements your body type, and is a flattering length. While a dress automatically gives your outfit an elegant look, a casual fabric, will make it appropriate attire to wear during daytime or low-key activities. Pair casual, comfortable clothing items with designer shoes and bags… You can instantly upgrade your wardrobe by investing in a few quality and on-trend purses and shoes. Wear inexpensive denim with of-the-moment designer heels to bring your casual outfit up a few notches on the fashion scale.

Rock your greatest weapon: Stilettos are one of the greatest weapons in your armoury. Heel height should be as high as you feel comfortable with. Instead of buying dozens of pairs of cheap shoes try just having a few well-chosen and versatile quality pairs. Not only will you look more elegant but your feet will thank you for it as well.

Jewellery: Once again, less is more unless you have a huge budget. Just like the super model, keep it simple and tasteful. If you’re looking for elegance, then avoid multiple ear piercings and the huge looped earrings. One chain or necklace around the neck is enough to make you fabulous

Upgrade your Time: Watches of today are not only functional accessories, which are supposed to tell you what time it is, but the designs in watches, which are available, are blurring the distinction between watches and jewellery. They are a style statement, a life style product and to a great extent go on to define the character of the person wearing it. In recent times, designers have designed different styles of wristwatches for every occasion and to suit every woman’s myriad moods. It is indeed popular and fashionable to have as many to suit your taste and match your outfit. She says, “My last favorite fashion piece is a L'eclise wristwatch I got as a gift from my fiancé. For me, it’s a constant reminder that time is an irreplaceable commodity that should be used wisely. It’s precious and once lost, cannot be recovered.”

Smell unique: Fome wears Van Cleefs, Arpel's Un Air de First, and Clinique's Aromatics Elixir; “I love them because of their feminine scents. These for me are timeless fragrances.”

Total make-over: For make-up, the face of Nivea loves Mac, Estee Lauder mascara; Victoria Secret’s lip gloss and Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream. She shares her secrets, “I often mix Mac powder with Max factor natural minerals foundation in loose powder form. It gives a nice light natural finish. I also cannot do without my Estee Lauder mascara; it makes my eye lashes noticeably longer and thicker. Victoria secret lip gloss and Elizabeth Arden 8 hour creme have become a great favourite of mine for daily wear. They keep my lips mosturised.”

Go for designers with unique styles: “I am always blown away by the designs of several designers such as David Thale, Thula Sindi, Tiffany Amber, Ituen Basi, Deola Sagoe and Lanre Da silva. While they are all unique in their different ways, I love the femininity, elegance, and timeless style their designs exude.”  And on accessories designers, Fome says, “I have seen some of the most creative accessories at the local masai markets in Kenya. From earrings, bracelets and necklaces to slippers, bags etc. They are very colourful and are specially hand crafted and don't come with a huge price tag.”

It can’t be lacefront… Though a lot of ladies see lace wig as a tool in achieving a good and elegant look; they are indeed ideal for achieving that natural look. Regardless of the reason chosen to wear a wig, they do improve the appearance of the wearer and make them more attractive. In recent times, majority of women who have worn these types of hair wigs perceive them to be of very high quality, durable and affordable. However, Fome considers wig as an item she would not be caught dead wearing. She says, “I won’t be caught dead wearing Lace wigs. I have seen too many of them that were badly fixed. They looked as if they were stamped on the wearer’s head. They are a complete turn-off for me.”

Sexy all the way: Fome considers her legs as the sexiest part of her body. She expalins, “My slim, long, nicely toned legs, and my pretty face; they get me the best jobs!”

Know your sex appeal: “I like a man who is adventurous, dares to dream, and thinks outside the box. Someone who not only let’s his imagination soar, but also has the capacity and determination to work hard to see them materialised.”

Colour it bright: When it comes to colour, Fome loves bright and vibrant colours, because they make a statement when paired with dull or less vibrant ones.

Shoping choice: Fome shops on Long Street in Cape Town; “there you have a variety of shops of some of the best designers in Africa. I also love the great variety you get there. I have also spent some time living in England, and there's an unending array of shopping spots to be discovered! From the luxurious Oxford Street shops to the casual clothes shops at Covent Gardens, and the malls at King’s Road in Chelsea.”

Bag it up: One fashion piece Fome cannot live the house without is her handbag. To her, “I always have my bag with me because I can carry a million things in there.”

Fashion muse: “While I don't really have a fashion muse, I greatly admire African American women like Zoe Saldana, Halle Berry and Michelle Obama. I love their sense of style, hard work and their commitment to their careers. I think they are doing a great job of representing African women globally.”

Shoes – Footwear: Stilettos are one of the greatest weapon in your armoury. Heel height should be as high as you feel comfortable with, you don’t necessary need to wear 7-inch killer heels except you feel comfortable in them. Instead of buying dozens of pairs of cheap shoes, try just having a few well-chosen and versatile quality pairs. Not only will you look more elegant but your feet will thank you for it as well.

Size and Fit: Just because you can get something over your head or physically squeeze into it does not mean it actually fits you. Pay no attention to labels, with vanity sizing, they mean little or nothing. It does not matter what the size in the back says try things on and ensure they actually fit you properly and suit your body shape.

Be Elegant: Whenever we see Fome, it never looks like she just threw on whatever was hung over the back of the closest chair. Instead it’s a look that is culture and cultivated.  Thought and care go into the look.

Give your skin a fresh glow: Give your skin a fresh, youthful glow. One of Fome’s top secret is her flawless skin. To achieve this, go for Clinique's three step range and body shop bodyscrub. She discloses, “Once I started using it, I instantly saw an improvement on my skin's tone and texture. I try to use Body Shop body scrub once a week, and it leaves my skin feeling smooth and soft afterwards. I use make-up sparingly, but when I do I always like to keep it natural.

Create your style: Fome consider wearing items you are not comfortable with as fashion faux pas;she advises, “just because you saw it on Lady Gaga does not mean it would suit you. Create your own style!” She continues, “Well, I don’t think I have committed a fashion blunder; none that I know of. Fashion for me should be simple and stylish and; that's the way I like to keep it.”

Casual Chic: Casual chic is allowing countless women to feel feminine and pretty while enjoying the comfort of their favorite pair of jeans. Casual chic style can be found in your closet; all it takes is a keen eye for matching up some of your work clothes with some of your play clothes and the ability to accessorize accordingly.

Find out what fits you: One thing why we love about the supermodel Fome is that she knows the kind of clothes that ideally suits her. Don’t be afraid to try on those types of clothes you haven’t ever tried. New colours, new fashion will help you to determine your own style. Don’t limit yourself. Remember that the fashion and trendy clothes which don’t actually become you well, doesn’t worth to put on.

Work out your own image: Being stylish is an interesting challenge. Your style of clothes should ideally fit your whole image: your make-up, haircut and your accessories. Moreover, your outer image should reflect what you are inside.