1. D PROFILE
ATTHE
TOPOF
HERGAMEVicky Ngari-Wilson started modelling at
15 in the UK and, to date, she has reigned
as Miss Kenya UK, Miss East Africa UK and
Exquisite ‘most beautiful’ Face of Universe.
A chat with this stunning woman reveals
how she managed to do it.
By Everlyne Mosongo
orn in Nairobi, Kenya, Vicky Ngari-Wilson moved
to England at the age of 10. With a vision of joining
media, she studied film and television in college before
pursuing a degree in creative writing at university. “I loved the
expression of styling – taking what is already there and creating
something new – so I started in fashion as an assistant stylist
while at university,” she says, as to the reason why she shifted
gears. “I was blessed with the opportunity to work with high
profile people like Caprice and Hollywood stars like Gemma
Artertone,” Vicky confides.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START MODELLING? I’ve
always loved how great stars depict a captivating energy on
stage. As a young girl, I danced, sang and acted, imitating the
greats. Expressive arts were what I wanted to do. Modelling
wasn’t the ideal path but when I was told from a young age that
I had something commercially, so I went for it – I wanted to see
more girls that looked like me being celebrated. However, my
intention, when I joined Miss Kenya UK and Miss East Africa
UK was to get involved with the pageants as a stylist. The
founders insisted I enter the contests – there was an internal
nudge – then it was game on.
DID YOU EVER IMAGINE WINNING THE TWO TITLES
AT A GO? Once I was in the competition? Yes. When I
commit to something, I’ll fight for it. There was a lot prayers
and preparation. However, not before then as the dreams I’d
had about pageants were long gone. This just goes to show
that whatever you are drawn to, when you’re young, is a hint
of your destiny.
HOW DID WINNING MISS EAST AFRICA UK AFFECT
YOUR LIFE? Well, here I am being interviewed by Drum! It
gave me exposure and power to knock on doors. A voice to
start social change.
b
PHOTOGRAPHS: IMAGES c/o VICKY NGARI-wILSON
6 July 2015 DRUM

2. Dprofile
WHAT DID YOU SET OUT TO ACHIEVE WITH THE TWO
TITLES AND HAVE YOU ACCOMPLISHED IT? At the time, I
was confident that the organisation had solid plans to raise funds
and awareness for disadvantaged children in East Africa. We did
push at every opportunity to accomplish this. I decided to go the
corporaterouteanddevelopasmanyrelationshipsasIcouldinthe
well-established philanthropic and finance networks. Through
international philanthropic and business conferences, I have had
the opportunity to address the issue of youth development in
Africa. I have done this through the Milken Institute, which I love.
I was honoured to be part of their Young Leaders Circle. Other
conferences I have addressed are in industries like finance and
agriculture. Nevertheless, the journey continues, even though I
have represented my country in large philanthropic and business
conferences and high profile meetings internationally where I
have voiced the need for Africa’s youth developments.
WHICH YOUTH/WOMEN EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMS
AREYOUINVOLVEDIN,HEREINKENYA? We are launching
a branch of Her on Top (HOT) in Kenya, my own women’s
empowerment campaign, which will be Africa’s nucleus and will
have Captain Irene Koki Mutungi’s (Kenya Airways) mentorship
for girls in career programme. HOT aims to educate girls about
finance, economy and entrepreneurship through fashion and
beauty while challenging the media’s depiction of sexy, which
according to HOT is a woman who is on top of her game.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO LAUNCH HOT? After going
through some hardships myself over the last few years, I became
frustrated when I couldn’t get financial, economic and business
education that spoke to me without jargon, without having to
spend years at university and in an appealing way. I also believe
there is a lack of real life knowledge for women who set out to be
big in business as they are hindered by circumstances. In addition,
the reality is that women have rarely spoken of the challenges of
balancing work and personal lives – I wanted to create a brand
that reminds women of who they are when they are not wearing
all these different hats, a brand that grows emotionally and
economically strong young women from all backgrounds.
WHATPROMPTEDTHEVISITTOKENYAINMAY,OTHER
THAN VISITING FAMILY, OF COURSE. With all the talk of
gender equality in Kenya and the country’s growing economic
stability, the time seemed fitting to come home and start setting
foundations for the exciting future. Moreover, I needed some
nyama choma and githeri. I have lived in the UK for 18 years but I
would love to come home. London will always be a base.
DO YOU SEE THE IMPORTANCE OF BEAUTY PAGEANTS?
Hmmm, here I go getting in trouble – OK I know this will come
out controversial but they are not, unless we are crowning all
round beauty and purpose. I want to hold a HOT Pageant where
we’re not just showing size six girls in bikinis but making them
DRUM July 2015 7

3. D PROFILE
pitch business and social enterprise plans. I’d like to see pageants
where we are not just rewarding girls with clothes and luxuries
but with a team, an office and seed capital.
DO YOU THINK BEAUTY PAGEANTS ARE TAKEN
SERIOUSLY IN KENYA? IF YOU WERE IN A POSITION TO,
WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE TO MAKE THEM BETTER?
Pageants in Kenya are not as popular as in other countries hence
why we need a fresh approach that speaks universally. I’ll be
happy to hold the first HOT Pageant in Kenya.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU GET TIME OFF TO VACATION? My
vacations are impulsive. I try to get some leisure time in business
trips. My favourite destination in the world so far is Capri in the
Amalfi Coast. I still want to visit Australia and more countries in
Asia.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO KEEP FIT? I attempt to work out most
days. I usually start with a four or five mile run or I do the Insanity
work out followed by some sort of conditioning using kettle bells
or free weights.
WHAT’S YOUR PERSONAL STYLE? Sporty usually in a gym
outfit, this can be sexy by the way. I love unusual suits and avant-
garde pieces, simple dresses. To round it up… sporty, glam and
always classic. I can’t leave the house without my phone, hand
cream and lip balm either.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED FOR?
A woman who helped smash the glass between the commercial
industries and social change. A great mother, a giving,
unapologetically bad ass, fun, stylish woman.
WHOM DO YOU LOOK UP TO IN THE MODELLING
INDUSTRY? In modelling, I look up to Liya Kebede who works
tirelessly to advocate for children and mothers. I look up to Linda
Evangelista, Iman and Tyra Banks for their business acumen.
There is also ‘The Stallion’, Naomi Campbell, who I had the
pleasure of interviewing via Huffington Post. I don’t necessarily
want to follow in their footsteps, I would like to take my own
successful strides, carrying what I learn from these women.
WHO IS YOUR GO-TO DESIGNER WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE
DRESSING UP? I love Isabell Yalda Hellysaz – she is incredibly
feminine and masculine at the same time and Kimolo designs
that I regularly work with. Kimolo understands how to mix ethnic
with contemporary to create universal pieces.
“With all the talk of gender equality in
Kenya and the country’s growing
economic stability, the time seemed
fitting to come home and start setting
foundations for the exciting future. I
have lived in the UK for 18 years but I
would love to come home. London will
always be a base”
8 July 2015 DRUM