Rowena K. Robinson
~ Chic Nouvelle Model Management ~
Copa: Where are you from?
Rowena: I'm from the beautiful Cresent city of New Orleans, Louisiana.
Rowena: I'm from the beautiful Cresent city of New Orleans, Louisiana.
Copa: What schools have you attended?
Rowena: I attended school at St. Mary's Academy High School and then graduated from Xavier University with 3 degrees ( Lead Technology, Elementary Education and Supervision of Instruction)
Rowena: I attended school at St. Mary's Academy High School and then graduated from Xavier University with 3 degrees ( Lead Technology, Elementary Education and Supervision of Instruction)
Copa: At what time did you acquire an interest in fashion?
Rowena: At the age of 14 I became very interested in fashion and I began to collect tons of Fashion Magazines. I grew very tall at an early age and I watched my siblings grow tall right along with me because our dad is 6'7. I figured that I should put the height to good use especially since I had no skills nor an interest in basketball. However, modeling wouldn't happen for me until many years later.
Rowena: At the age of 14 I became very interested in fashion and I began to collect tons of Fashion Magazines. I grew very tall at an early age and I watched my siblings grow tall right along with me because our dad is 6'7. I figured that I should put the height to good use especially since I had no skills nor an interest in basketball. However, modeling wouldn't happen for me until many years later.
Copa: Who are your top 3 models of all time and why do they impress you?
Rowena: My 3 favorite female models include Adriana Lima, Linda Evangelista and Alek Wek. I love Adriana because she always presented herself in the most humble way. I studied her career from the time that she was a teen and I watched her bloom from an innocent beauty to a fierce beauty. Victoria's Secret held a very special place in the hearts of many and to me, Adriana was Ms. Victoria's Secret! A chameleon is how I always viewed Linda Evangelistia! Linda was known for her awesome short haircuts but she could rock any style and it wasn't unusual for her to shoot in coal black hair color for one magazine layout and then fire engine red for an ad campaign and then some time later hit the runway in a snowy blonde color! I can relate to this change that she presented constantly because I myself tend to get bored with my look easily and therefore, the switch up becomes a reality for me. Alek Wek is definitely one of my all time favorite models, her skin tone alone represents the beauty of the continent in which my ancestors came from. When I think of her, I think of a bold and courageous model whose look demands attention. Alek is one model that I can say has always made me proud, especially when she ripped off her blonde wig during a runway show that she was a part of. There is surely a power to her presence. She possessed a unique type of beauty that the world wasn't ready for but she owned her self worth and this is why I admire her!
Rowena: My 3 favorite female models include Adriana Lima, Linda Evangelista and Alek Wek. I love Adriana because she always presented herself in the most humble way. I studied her career from the time that she was a teen and I watched her bloom from an innocent beauty to a fierce beauty. Victoria's Secret held a very special place in the hearts of many and to me, Adriana was Ms. Victoria's Secret! A chameleon is how I always viewed Linda Evangelistia! Linda was known for her awesome short haircuts but she could rock any style and it wasn't unusual for her to shoot in coal black hair color for one magazine layout and then fire engine red for an ad campaign and then some time later hit the runway in a snowy blonde color! I can relate to this change that she presented constantly because I myself tend to get bored with my look easily and therefore, the switch up becomes a reality for me. Alek Wek is definitely one of my all time favorite models, her skin tone alone represents the beauty of the continent in which my ancestors came from. When I think of her, I think of a bold and courageous model whose look demands attention. Alek is one model that I can say has always made me proud, especially when she ripped off her blonde wig during a runway show that she was a part of. There is surely a power to her presence. She possessed a unique type of beauty that the world wasn't ready for but she owned her self worth and this is why I admire her!
Copa: What is your philosophy as it relates to fashion and style?
Rowena: My personal philosophy on fashion and style is to always be you with a twist so that you put a stamp on your own sense of identity. I tell models all the time that being unique is what sets them apart from everyone else. Knowing your physical assets and then accentuating them with certain styles of clothing, appropriate colors against your skin tone or defining ways in which you wear your hair or makeup can set a trend that can inspire others. The human body is a canvas and once you are in the presence of others, you paint a visual of yourself for the world to see.
Rowena: My personal philosophy on fashion and style is to always be you with a twist so that you put a stamp on your own sense of identity. I tell models all the time that being unique is what sets them apart from everyone else. Knowing your physical assets and then accentuating them with certain styles of clothing, appropriate colors against your skin tone or defining ways in which you wear your hair or makeup can set a trend that can inspire others. The human body is a canvas and once you are in the presence of others, you paint a visual of yourself for the world to see.
Copa: When did you establish Chic Nouvelle?
Rowena: Chic Nouvelle Model and Talent Management was first established in 2008. It was established because I was always fascinated with the industry especially because both of my parents are tall. My mom is 5'8 and my dad is 6'7. There are 13 kids in the family, and I am the oldest, yet I was the last to actually begin modeling and did not start until I was 30. At this age after making a bet with my mom that I would actually get a portfolio done, I entered a contest and submitted photos to an international hair magazine. Shockingly, I was selected out of 25.000 girls to fly to Montego Bay, Jamaica for a 5-day 4-night stay with all expenses paid. The prize also included 5-star pampering and hair and makeup provided by celebrity professionals and of course wardrobe was provided by a top designer. I actually had my hair colored by Oprah's personal hair stylist and another stylist left the set of the movie Cat Women starring Halle Berry, to come to Jamaica to do my hair! I felt honored. To top it all off, as a winner, I received a full 2 page spread in Sophisticate's Black Hair Magazine! This experience enlightened me so much until I decided that I wanted new and aspiring models to feel the same way and thus a few years later, after putting on a very successful show which I considered to be our launch event, Chic Nouvelle was born!
Rowena: Chic Nouvelle Model and Talent Management was first established in 2008. It was established because I was always fascinated with the industry especially because both of my parents are tall. My mom is 5'8 and my dad is 6'7. There are 13 kids in the family, and I am the oldest, yet I was the last to actually begin modeling and did not start until I was 30. At this age after making a bet with my mom that I would actually get a portfolio done, I entered a contest and submitted photos to an international hair magazine. Shockingly, I was selected out of 25.000 girls to fly to Montego Bay, Jamaica for a 5-day 4-night stay with all expenses paid. The prize also included 5-star pampering and hair and makeup provided by celebrity professionals and of course wardrobe was provided by a top designer. I actually had my hair colored by Oprah's personal hair stylist and another stylist left the set of the movie Cat Women starring Halle Berry, to come to Jamaica to do my hair! I felt honored. To top it all off, as a winner, I received a full 2 page spread in Sophisticate's Black Hair Magazine! This experience enlightened me so much until I decided that I wanted new and aspiring models to feel the same way and thus a few years later, after putting on a very successful show which I considered to be our launch event, Chic Nouvelle was born!
Copa: What does your model management company offer to your clients?
Rowena: Our company offers numerous services for our clients. We are proud to say that we represent models of all walks of life and all ethnicities. We do pride ourselves on having some of the most beautiful and very tall female runway models. However, we have our kid division as well as our fashion division which showcases our petite and full-figured models. Several of our male models are fitness models and we do have our sophisticated older models. Most of our models are multi-talented and possess talents as actors and actresses, dancers, poets, singers and writers My immediate family members add. another unique component to our company. My siblings and my kids are trained stilt dancers, African dancers and trained African drummers who travel nationally and internationally to perform. This agency is family oriented, and we love to involve the community in what we do. We are partnered with many professional photographers and several magazines including our own Area and Chic Nouvelle Magazines. We offer runway and etiquette classes through our business partner Leslie Legania-Shelby, we are partnered with a billboard company which supplies advertising opportunities in all 50 states, and we are partnered with Trendz TV Network which is a network on the ROKU channel. We work with these partnerships to give our models and talent the maximum amount of positive exposure possible, but we also collaborate and offer these services to our clients.
Rowena: Our company offers numerous services for our clients. We are proud to say that we represent models of all walks of life and all ethnicities. We do pride ourselves on having some of the most beautiful and very tall female runway models. However, we have our kid division as well as our fashion division which showcases our petite and full-figured models. Several of our male models are fitness models and we do have our sophisticated older models. Most of our models are multi-talented and possess talents as actors and actresses, dancers, poets, singers and writers My immediate family members add. another unique component to our company. My siblings and my kids are trained stilt dancers, African dancers and trained African drummers who travel nationally and internationally to perform. This agency is family oriented, and we love to involve the community in what we do. We are partnered with many professional photographers and several magazines including our own Area and Chic Nouvelle Magazines. We offer runway and etiquette classes through our business partner Leslie Legania-Shelby, we are partnered with a billboard company which supplies advertising opportunities in all 50 states, and we are partnered with Trendz TV Network which is a network on the ROKU channel. We work with these partnerships to give our models and talent the maximum amount of positive exposure possible, but we also collaborate and offer these services to our clients.
Copa: What is your opinion of new models and what they need to do to prepare to move forward in the modeling industry?
Rowena: In my opinion, the biggest misconception that most models have about the modeling industry is that they don't have to work hard sometimes to get to another level. Many feel that because they are attractive, they are deserving of all opportunities that are available. These same models believe that they don't have to brush up on basic skills like learning how to do their own makeup or perfecting their skills on the runway. Some feel that just because they are interested in modeling, they should immediately be booked and paid. Even the tallest, most naturally beautiful model with the most perfect face can enhance themselves in some sort of way. I often say, there is always room for improvement and models should know to always be humble because it can take you a long way!
Rowena: In my opinion, the biggest misconception that most models have about the modeling industry is that they don't have to work hard sometimes to get to another level. Many feel that because they are attractive, they are deserving of all opportunities that are available. These same models believe that they don't have to brush up on basic skills like learning how to do their own makeup or perfecting their skills on the runway. Some feel that just because they are interested in modeling, they should immediately be booked and paid. Even the tallest, most naturally beautiful model with the most perfect face can enhance themselves in some sort of way. I often say, there is always room for improvement and models should know to always be humble because it can take you a long way!
Copa: What does the future hold for Rowena Kay and her wonderful world of modeling, fashion, and style?
Rowena: I have done so much since the agency first started and I could not have done it without my husband, kids, parents, siblings, models and business partners but I always say the best is yet to come! In this fascinating world of Fashion and Style, I plan to do more high end shows, produce more high fashion and editorial magazines, travel with some of our top models and photographers to do amazing shoots in beautiful locations, team up with more celebrities to put on more benefit events, train more kid and teen models and of course one of the endeavors that I am looking forward to the most is a collaboration with COPA Style Magazine. I love the idea of working with those that share the same vision that I have and COPA Style measures up to my expectations of how real Fashion and Style is supposed to be presented and I look forward to a partnership with this company which I believe will leave a profound impact on the industry as a whole!
Rowena: I have done so much since the agency first started and I could not have done it without my husband, kids, parents, siblings, models and business partners but I always say the best is yet to come! In this fascinating world of Fashion and Style, I plan to do more high end shows, produce more high fashion and editorial magazines, travel with some of our top models and photographers to do amazing shoots in beautiful locations, team up with more celebrities to put on more benefit events, train more kid and teen models and of course one of the endeavors that I am looking forward to the most is a collaboration with COPA Style Magazine. I love the idea of working with those that share the same vision that I have and COPA Style measures up to my expectations of how real Fashion and Style is supposed to be presented and I look forward to a partnership with this company which I believe will leave a profound impact on the industry as a whole!