RUONCAMPUS MAGAZINE FINAL Version

Being freelance at the moment that’s just
the easier way to participate and be selective
about what to do and what not. This ultimately
helps me to continuously build up
my portfolio to than eventually work with
bigger companies as well.
That sounds terrific! What would you say is
the difference between carnival modelling
to catwalk modelling?
OMG – it’s a huge difference! Well
with carnival modelling you really have to
be a people pleaser. You have to make sure to
go out and sell the costume. You have to be
happy ‘cause carnival is really all about being
happy – it’s a time of joy! So, when I go out
on the stage I’m definitely not the same Kimmi
that you’d see on the catwalk. For carnival
modelling I am truly happy. I’m in a big costume
that’s normally too heavy for example
the wings are always to much but even in pain
I will find a way to transport that feeling of
joy!
So you really connect to costume rather than
any other outfit you’d wear?
Of course! I assume it’s because I grew
up in the Caribbean. Carnival plays such a
vital role in our culture! Every summer (although
not all my family members liked it) I
would either spend all my free time watching
it on television or go out to see the parades
with my cousins. What really catches me is
the integrity of all the costumes. Last year I
actually got to be part of the whole creating
process. It is such a big thing because there is
just so much detail that goes into these costumes!
Year after year the designers come up
with something new and innovative which is
truly amazing.
In a way you can see an adaptation of
carnival aspects when you look at the Victoria
Secret shows. For example, the wings play
a massive role in both. It’s that extravagance
that I feel really captures people’s attention.
Carnival represents the freedom of my culture.
I speak about this all the time, because
carnival was born out of slavery. Its very essence
is being at joy.