Denrele narrates humiliating rejection he suffered in his first modelling shoot

Denrele Edun who took a walk back to the memory lane recounted the humiliating rejection he suffered in his first professional modelling shoot.

The red carpet host who recounted how he begged designers for a chance to become their model, said he wanted for 12 hours at a designer’s office when he got his first chance and wasn’t even paid for it.

According to him, he had to trek “from V/I to Yaba where vigilantes made him frog jump on the express.”

Denrele who eventually succeeded amidst the humiliating rejection he suffered in his first modelling shoot, wrote;

1999.

Shola Creative Studios, SuruLere.
An (Androgynous) Male Model has to be psychologically strong; there’s a lot of rejection!
In the spirit of FashionWeek, allow me dig out my dusty portfolios and throwback my first ever professional modeling shot! ?

Despite d disgusted looks from passers by, I walked with my defiant confidence to d local bus-stop to board a Molue that’ll take me to another Designer’s showroom. I had developed a knack for appearing at Fashion Designer showrooms and their houses to present my pictures & my overwhelming personality. All in a bid to convince them to walk in their shows. Mind you; I was the shortest, skinniest Male Model at that time, but that didn’t deter me. The Hustle was real!I got to a designer’s house and saw a cluster of top models. They all burst into laughter when I walked past but then, who cared? Sighting a familiar face, I ran up to her and was told fittings had begun. In my usual bravado, i saw the designer & walked up to him.

Moment i introduced myself & my intentions, he stared me down and asked,
“Are you a Refugee?”.
“No Sir, but I’m the model with a unique look who’ll love to walk for u,” I threw back confidently.
He looked me up and down and said, “U can never walk on my runway. U look like a malnourished Somalian refugee”, and with that he faced his tailors & continued giving directives. “I’ll wait in d Showroom Sir, till u’r ready to fit me”, I answered bk & walked in to the reception.

This designer actually hissed & went in. Came out, dismissed all d other models without me noticing and left the building. Wit all d bravado I could muster, I waited for an agonizing 12 hours. I was scared to go get something to eat cos i didn’t want to miss his entrance. At bout 11pm, he strolled in wit some other models. They obviously had finished a shoot & he seemed to be in a light mood. Seein my chance, I walked up to him. This time, he lost his cool.
But that didnt stop me from walking his show weeks after.

He refused to pay me & not only was I stranded but had to walk from V/I to Yaba wher Vigilantes made me frog jump on the express! ?
The Designer? We’re friends till date!
Why? Denrele get clean mind!