Welcome to the first interview in a brand new series called BTS @ BNVE, where you get to meet some of the immensely talented creatives we’ve had the pleasure to work and collaborate with at the brand.
For our first interview, we had the pleasure to sit down with Solela, the first female model to be featured in a BNVE shoot.
With a distinct style and profoundly ingrained passion for the fashion industry, Solela filled us in on what drives her professionally, her best and worst travel experiences as well as what inspired her to get into modelling.
Tell us your name?
My name is Solela
Tell us your age?
I’m 25 years old
Where you from?
I’m from the UK based in Barking
What do you do?
I’m a full-time model signed to Models1
What made you get into what you’re currently doing?
I’ve always wanted to be a model from a young age. I would come home from school, and my mum would put on America’s next top model. After the show, I would go to my room and practice runway and poses in the mirror.
I joined small fashion shows around my area and school. Everyone used to tell me I should model because of my figure and my legs. A friend in school asked me if I could model for her fashion project, and the picture ended up being on the school art department wall, and it was massive!
What attracted you to the fashion industry?
The thing that attracted me the most about the fashion industry is the clothes. I love to dress. My mum had all the stuff in her wardrobe, all the fur coats and boots, and heels. She inspired me the most when it came to fashion. She was different, and she had her own sense of style. She told me to never dress like everyone, be yourself.
It’s also exciting just to meet new people and different experiences. So turning my love for fashion into a career has been the best thing ever. So grateful for the people I’ve worked with so far, and I’m excited for what’s next.
Tell us a country you really enjoyed visiting?
I haven’t really travelled as much unfortunately, I have this huge fear of flying. But I would definitely love to travel to East Asia. Japan especially, that’s top of my list.
What's your best & worst holiday experience?
My best holiday experience would have to be Portugal, for Afro nation. One of the best times I’ve ever had in a long time.
I think my worst holiday experience was in Congo. We had to fly to a different village in Congo, we took this plane that was so small and was overly packed with luggage and it was struggling to fly so the whole time it was just shaking and I think that is where my fear of flying began but apart from the plane experience, I did enjoy the rest of that trip.
You’re the first female model in a BNVE shoot, tell us what it was like for you on shoot day?
The shoot was very chilled and everyone was cool and welcoming. I really enjoyed the vibe on set, good music and good food which is soooo important. The team were really fun to work with and yeah, overall I had a good shoot.
What’s your favourite collection piece and why?
I’m stuck between the black hoodie and the cargo pants. The hoodie is so comfortable and a bit of me. The cargo pants are super cute. Love the colour and the fit.
How and what would you wear that piece with?
I would wear the black hoodie oversized with some baggy jeans and trainers. The cargo pants with a crop top for sure, could definitely style it with mules or trainers.
Want to cop this look for yourself shop our debut collection here.