Photography by Vithaya
Sara Bee
~ Model/Entrepreneur ~
~ Community Activist ~
By Rodney Wayne Branche
Copa Style Magazine's Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
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Copa: Where are you from?
Sara: I'm from Addis Addiba, Ethiopia Copa: What schools have you attended?
Sara: I attended West Virginia community college as a freshman and then transferred to Marymount University to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree. |
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Sara getting prepped by Josie Valdez
Copa: At what time did you arrive in the US?
Sara: I came to the USA about a little over 10 years ago. Right after I graduated from high school and was accepted at Addis Ababa University science facility. Unfortunately, I did not attend AAU, because I had the opportunity to move to the United States. So here I am now with the help of God building my dream. Copa: Who are your three favorite models of all time and why?
Sara: Liya Kebede, Tyra Banks, and Iman. They all are super powerful role models. In fact, they all have similar uplifting stories and the ups and downs that I have learned to improve myself and inspire my motivation every single day to stay strong and focused on my passion for fashion. I look up to these three amazing outstanding role models, they have their own unique styles, personalities, and successful inspirational stories that encourage and uplift many young women like myself. |
Sara: At what time did you decide to become a model?
Sara: Great question! It is a long journey. I have had a passion to be a model since I was 13 years old. Unfortunately, I grew up in a very restricted household. If I informed my family that I wanted to pursue a modeling career, then I will be in big trouble. At that time my family wanted me to focus on a school/college/university education and nothing else. Therefore I patiently waited until the appropriate day would come. I started modeling after I moved to the US and attended college. My friend Mae encouraged me to participate in a charity fashion show. I was just a freshman at the time and I had no clue of what modeling and fashion showcasing was all about. I never wore heels before until Mae signed me up for the WVSU charity fashion show. I trained thoroughly for a couple hours by cat walking, and creating noticeable poses within the practice sessions. I performed greatly within the fashion show! Starting from that moment, my passion to be a fashion model became my new journey. But, I had to wait until I graduated from college to be an official fashion model. I thank God for what I accomplished during this journey so far and much more to come. I used to be very shy and had a mild self esteem issue due to cultural barriers when I was a teenager. However, since I started modeling I have improved all my barriers and became a strong, intelligent, independent young lady. 
Photography by Barry Freeman
Photography by Hans Spiegel
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Liya Kebede
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Tyra Banks
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Iman
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Copa: What is your philosophy on fashion and style?
Sara: Fashion is a lifestyle in and of itself that lives in Everyone! Example: we choose clothes to change every morning based on the way we think, feel, and even how the world opens up and offers adventure to us through clothing. Copa: Please share your latest activities with our readers.
Sara: I'm currently focused on expanding my Face of Lucy modeling agency by adding different nationalities and redoing my website. I'm also have a non profit company called, Abebayosh Move Me. It's an organization I found which raises awareness and funds by using Ethiopian cultural entertainment music and dancing. Since the founding, we have helped women's and kids who are sexually abused in this pandemic time. I also assist with other non profit organization in my community that helps the less fortunate like Enebla and Mekedonia foundations. So as you can see with 3 kids, I manage to keep myself busy and I'm very thankful for the opportunity to do that with the amazing people I work with. |
Copa: Have you missed participating in Fashion Shows during our present COVID-19 pandemic?
Sara: I really have, I was even planning to do a couple of fashion shows through my company, unfortunately this pandemic shifts everyone's plan. However, I am so thankful I am still chasing my modeling career during this challenging time. I have completed a couple of amazing print commercial modeling works, and networked with lots of wonderful people in the fashion industry, as well as in different projects I have been involved with. I am beyond blessed what God gave me a great positive attitude and energy to shine consistently.
Sara: I really have, I was even planning to do a couple of fashion shows through my company, unfortunately this pandemic shifts everyone's plan. However, I am so thankful I am still chasing my modeling career during this challenging time. I have completed a couple of amazing print commercial modeling works, and networked with lots of wonderful people in the fashion industry, as well as in different projects I have been involved with. I am beyond blessed what God gave me a great positive attitude and energy to shine consistently.
Copa: What does the future hold for Sara Bee and her wonderful world of Fashion and Style?
Sara: My future looks bright. I have an amazing family and friends that support my career choice and fully support me. I'm very grateful to have an amazing team that believes and supports me unconditionally so it makes it easy to pursue my passion. I'm in a great place despite the COVID-19 effect. I'm hoping the best like everyone and all I can do to be prepared for the future the best I can. I'm going to keep pushing and hope to inspire many other young girls never to give up. l, They must follow their passion regardless of the obstacles they will face. I hope to be named as a top African model and leader like Liya Kebede and Imani, who gave back to their community and became a role model for many.
Sara: My future looks bright. I have an amazing family and friends that support my career choice and fully support me. I'm very grateful to have an amazing team that believes and supports me unconditionally so it makes it easy to pursue my passion. I'm in a great place despite the COVID-19 effect. I'm hoping the best like everyone and all I can do to be prepared for the future the best I can. I'm going to keep pushing and hope to inspire many other young girls never to give up. l, They must follow their passion regardless of the obstacles they will face. I hope to be named as a top African model and leader like Liya Kebede and Imani, who gave back to their community and became a role model for many.
Photography by SAROSH
