In the fabulous world of fashion we will find many outstanding individuals with diverse skills in numerous areas. In this case we will focus on the career of Professional Model/Entrepreneur Mekeda Haniyyah. Here we will learn more of her life of Fashion, Style , Fitness and the Culinary Artistry of her specialty Cupcake business.
"Mekeda"
Mekeda Haniyyah
By Rodney Wayne Branche
Copa: Where are you from?
Mekeda: I was born in Washington, DC and raised in Alexandria, Virginia.
Mekeda: I was born in Washington, DC and raised in Alexandria, Virginia.
Copa: What schools have you attended?
Makeda: I graduated from T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia.
Makeda: I graduated from T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia.
Copa: What did you enjoy about T.C. Williams during your time there?
Mekeda: It was culturally diverse and it was a great school academically.
Mekeda: It was culturally diverse and it was a great school academically.
Copa: Early in your life, were you always interested in modeling and fashion?
Makeda: Not really. I didn’t become interested in modeling until I was in the 11th grade. I wasn’t always as tall as I am now. I shot up over the summer during my 10th grade year. As a result of my height, everyone kept encouraging me to pursue modeling.
Makeda: Not really. I didn’t become interested in modeling until I was in the 11th grade. I wasn’t always as tall as I am now. I shot up over the summer during my 10th grade year. As a result of my height, everyone kept encouraging me to pursue modeling.
Copa: When you were young, how was your self-esteem in terms of how you felt before you gained height?
Mekeda: My self-esteem was okay. I had long hair, but I still felt like a skinny, ugly duckling. I had braces for a while, so I wasn’t really in full bloom yet throughout high school.
Mekeda: My self-esteem was okay. I had long hair, but I still felt like a skinny, ugly duckling. I had braces for a while, so I wasn’t really in full bloom yet throughout high school.
Copa: During your high school years, did you consider yourself to be a fashionista?
Makeda: In high school, no. I didn’t become a fashionista until I moved to New York.
Makeda: In high school, no. I didn’t become a fashionista until I moved to New York.
Copa: When did you move to New York?
Makeda: After I graduated from high school in 2000, I attended Howard University for a year and I studied Physical Therapy. That’s when I decided that I wanted to pursue modeling. I moved to New York in 2001.
Makeda: After I graduated from high school in 2000, I attended Howard University for a year and I studied Physical Therapy. That’s when I decided that I wanted to pursue modeling. I moved to New York in 2001.
Copa: What was your most memorable experience while living in New York?
Makeda: My most memorable experiences were during New York Fashion Week and participating in modeling for various designers’ runway shows such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Vera Wang and Martha Stewart Bridal.
Makeda: My most memorable experiences were during New York Fashion Week and participating in modeling for various designers’ runway shows such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Vera Wang and Martha Stewart Bridal.
Copa: Health and fitness…what does it mean to you?
Makeda: Health and fitness means a lot to me now. It’s not something that I’ve always thought about. Growing up, I was slim, so I always thought that I was healthy. After learning more about health and speaking with personal trainers and nutritionists, I learned that although I was skinny, I wasn’t as healthy as I could be.
Makeda: Health and fitness means a lot to me now. It’s not something that I’ve always thought about. Growing up, I was slim, so I always thought that I was healthy. After learning more about health and speaking with personal trainers and nutritionists, I learned that although I was skinny, I wasn’t as healthy as I could be.
Copa: How often do you participate in health and fitness competitions?
Makeda: just started competing last November, and I learned a lot from those experiences. It’s all about building and trying to develop the best body that I can so that the next time I hit the stage, I walk away with something. There’s competitions all the time, but when l I think I’m ready, that’s when I’ll hit the stage again – probably later this year.
Makeda: just started competing last November, and I learned a lot from those experiences. It’s all about building and trying to develop the best body that I can so that the next time I hit the stage, I walk away with something. There’s competitions all the time, but when l I think I’m ready, that’s when I’ll hit the stage again – probably later this year.
Copa: Copa Style first noticed you about three years ago during one of the local Crystal Couture Fashion Shows. You looked a much different. For you, what was the biggest physical change that you experienced in the recent years?
Mekeda: Last year following the Crystal Couture Fashion Show, I started working out with my trainer Luis Valdez. I also started lifting weights, and I gained about 15 pounds of muscle. I’m a lot leaner now.
Mekeda: Last year following the Crystal Couture Fashion Show, I started working out with my trainer Luis Valdez. I also started lifting weights, and I gained about 15 pounds of muscle. I’m a lot leaner now.
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Copa: How much time did it take you to prepare for the Crystal Couture Fashion Show?
Makeda: I was already in the gym, so I was in good shape and ready to hit the runway. I didn’t have to do as much prep work.
Makeda: I was already in the gym, so I was in good shape and ready to hit the runway. I didn’t have to do as much prep work.
Copa: How many designers did you walk for during the Crystal Couture Fashion Show?
Mekeda: There was a fashion show every 15 minutes, and there were so many designers. I probably walked for about five to six designers for each show. I walked for Studio D Maxi Designs, Catwalk Boutique, Passport Clothing, Kim Elleen, D’ Milikah Swimwear, Brown & Williams Clothier, Hush Boutique and Khanh.
Mekeda: There was a fashion show every 15 minutes, and there were so many designers. I probably walked for about five to six designers for each show. I walked for Studio D Maxi Designs, Catwalk Boutique, Passport Clothing, Kim Elleen, D’ Milikah Swimwear, Brown & Williams Clothier, Hush Boutique and Khanh.
Copa: How do you define motivation to do what you do in health and fitness, modeling and for your business?
Mekeda: My number one motivation is my children. I decided that being healthy and fit would allow me to be able to be there for them, long term. Also, for the health and fitness, I post my journey online. People always come to me and they say that they are inspired by my story. Just seeing them is a big motivation for me as well.
Mekeda: My number one motivation is my children. I decided that being healthy and fit would allow me to be able to be there for them, long term. Also, for the health and fitness, I post my journey online. People always come to me and they say that they are inspired by my story. Just seeing them is a big motivation for me as well.
Copa: Tell us about your cupcake business, Kakewalk Cupcakes.
Mekeda: I started my cupcake business three years ago. I’ve always baked. So I started making the cupcakes for fun. Then people began requesting the cupcakes all the time. So I started my company, and it took off from there.
Mekeda: I started my cupcake business three years ago. I’ve always baked. So I started making the cupcakes for fun. Then people began requesting the cupcakes all the time. So I started my company, and it took off from there.
Copa: What is the name of your company?
Mekeda: Kakewalk Cupcakes. |
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Copa: Name a couple of your favorite designers.
Mekeda: I love Chanel, Roberto Cavalli, and Jean Paul Gaultier.
Mekeda: I love Chanel, Roberto Cavalli, and Jean Paul Gaultier.
Copa: Let’s get into shoes now. What’s your shoe fetish? What do you like?
Makeda: I love a high heel. I love stilettoes…any shoe over 4 inches. I can’t wear a heel shorter than that. If I’m not in high heels, I’m in sneakers. I love my sneakers, but I also love my high heels.
Copa: How do you feel about walking the runway in high heels?
Mekeda: I’ve been walking in heels on the runway for so long that it’s not a challenge for me. It’s like a taking a walk in the park.
Mekeda: I’ve been walking in heels on the runway for so long that it’s not a challenge for me. It’s like a taking a walk in the park.
Copa: How many years have you been modeling?
Mekeda: I’ve been modeling for more than 15 years now.
Mekeda: I’ve been modeling for more than 15 years now.
Copa: What was your most memorable photo shoot, and what was your first photo assignment?
Mekeda: My first photo assignment was a four-page spread in Seventeen magazine. My favorite photo shoot was for Martha Stewart Bridal in New York. I wore a big, gorgeous Cinderella wedding gown and all this expensive jewelry. I was surrounded by bodyguards to protect the jewelry. That’s how expensive these items were.
Mekeda: My first photo assignment was a four-page spread in Seventeen magazine. My favorite photo shoot was for Martha Stewart Bridal in New York. I wore a big, gorgeous Cinderella wedding gown and all this expensive jewelry. I was surrounded by bodyguards to protect the jewelry. That’s how expensive these items were.
Copa: What is your feeling about the difference between the fashion scene in New York vs. DC?
Mekeda: In New York, there is a lot more competition. That’s where people go to model and for fashion design. It’s the mecca of modeling. Here in the DMV, I’ve worked with a lot of talented designers who have gone on to participate in New York Fashion Week and to eventually start their own clothing lines. Although many designers get their start in DC, they usually end up working in New York.
Mekeda: In New York, there is a lot more competition. That’s where people go to model and for fashion design. It’s the mecca of modeling. Here in the DMV, I’ve worked with a lot of talented designers who have gone on to participate in New York Fashion Week and to eventually start their own clothing lines. Although many designers get their start in DC, they usually end up working in New York.
Copa: Would you say that DC is going through a metamorphosis at this point? Is this a good place for fashion designers and photographers?
Mekeda: Many industry people are beginning to recognize DC as a fashionable area. I definitely see it developing into a more fashionable city. As far as the caliber of designers, I believe there is a lot of talent here. As the styles change, everyone seems to adapt.
Mekeda: Many industry people are beginning to recognize DC as a fashionable area. I definitely see it developing into a more fashionable city. As far as the caliber of designers, I believe there is a lot of talent here. As the styles change, everyone seems to adapt.
Copa: What does the future hold for Mekeda?
Mekeda: I have no idea. I am just going along for the ride. Hopefully, it will hold a storefront for the cupcake business. Also, I would like to do more fitness competitions and obtain more sponsorships.
Mekeda: I have no idea. I am just going along for the ride. Hopefully, it will hold a storefront for the cupcake business. Also, I would like to do more fitness competitions and obtain more sponsorships.
For more information about Kakewalk Cupcakes, visit http://www.iwantkedakakes.com/
~PORTFOLIO~
~Copa