Fatima

Fatima Bocoum, the China born model with face for days, took time to talk to speak with Jorden about the difficulties of breaking into the industry, her influences, and why she believes modeling is about more than looking pretty.

JORDEN: Where are you originally from?

FATIMA: This might just be the hardest question… I was born from Malian parents, but actually lived in Mali for 3 years. I also grew up in China (where I was born), Libya, Saudi Arabia and France. As I now live in the US, I have lived in six countries, on four continents over 20 years. So you be the judge, where do you think I am from?

JORDEN: How did your modeling career begin?

FATIMA: During my childhood years, my mom would take part in cultural expositions and fashion shows regrouping all foreign communities; that is how I started being a model at age 7-8. I definitely had the modeling virus, but this virus would lie dormant for another decade. I was in senior high in Mali in 2006 when I first appeared on TV with the Community Service Club that I presided. It is After that apparition that I was contacted by several local designers, also I was offered to host a TV show.

JORDEN: Who are some of your biggest modeling influences and why?

FATIMA: Twiggy and Liya Kebede respectively speak for the precious heritage and the promising and innovative future of the fashion world. On the other hand, I feel particularly close to Katoucha Niane, who recently passed away, in terms of cultural and geographical origins, therefore, I could only wish and work for a similar complete success. Of course Naomi Campbell, as you can imagine, I was highly exposed to her worldwide success of the 90’s.

JORDEN: What is the most difficult part about breaking into the industry?

FATIMA: It is twofold. From the internal perspective you have to take the word “focus” to the next level, no matter what time of the day it is, no matter where you are, or what you are doing, you have to keep you goals and objectives in mind. On the way to success you cannot turn your concentration on and off. From an external perspective, you have to try hard to network and built relationships with people from whom you can grow and can put you in the right direction. Both of these aspects can be more challenging than it sounds.

JORDEN: What is the best part about being a model?

FATIMA: Beyond the fact that as a model to get the chance to be under the utmost care of all time (everything a woman can desire), modeling is that profession where people look up to you for what you are, not for what you do.

Get more Fatima in The Evolution Issue out September ’08.