If you’ve followed the ‘Moscow Living’ series, then there is no need to re-introduce our spotlight guest. She is a business woman, a top model and a travel enthusiast. She is all that she says she is. Let’s dive right into the conversation!
Do you think there are any limitations for black models in Moscow or Russia in general? Or do you think they’re at an advantage?
I think that black models are at an advantage in Moscow, and although there are now many black girls in Moscow, the demand for black models in Russia remains. The only limitation could be age, depending on the parameters that the brands would require. Most brands want tall, slender African ladies on their brand catalogues and definitely, the slender girls will be the ones to get bookings. A limited number of brands also look for plus-sized or curvy women.
Let me chip in with my own experience. I remember when I used to be very slim I had just begun modelling. I was very slender. I think horribly slender is a suitable word. For these brands, I was perfect– exactly what they wanted. But I didn’t like the way I looked. I was too tiny, and I decided to put on some weight. So I’m not as tiny as I was before and I still get jobs. You don’t have to stick to the classic stereotype of being slender.
Back to the travel business. Would you say it is very profitable, and are you open to just Russians or are Black people living in Russia also potential clients?
Yeah, the travel business is profitable, especially here in Russia. There are a lot of Russians who would want to travel and explore Africa. I can say Africa remains unexplored for most of them and they want to have an opportunity to see the continent.
The fact remains that one trip to Africa does not mean that you have seen the whole continent and this is a motivation for people to keep making trips to different countries in Africa. I’m working with Russians for now. Like I said, I plan to expand the market, because I don’t want it to be limited to only Russians, if our people are interested in going on trips to Africa. Why not? I would be very glad to welcome such people.
Do you book visas for your clients too?
Yes. However, for Russian passport holders, there are a number of countries that do not require visas- South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Morocco, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda… And you can get a visa on arrival.
What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of establishing a business in Moscow? I mean they might be discouraged that maybe the whole system might not favor them, how to reach out to clients and all of that. What’s one piece of advice you give to them?
Just shut down all the obstructive and destructive thoughts, because what we feel and think sometimes reflects on the outside. And if you’re not confident in yourself, it limits you to several things.
So I would say that, in whatever business or industry, confidence is the first thing that makes people listen to you or respect you, especially in Russia. I’m talking about knowing how to present yourself, you know what you want, believe in what you want, and you can convince anyone of what you’re offering.
Make other people believe in it and you will find yourself attracting the energy and the people that would possibly help you develop yourself and develop your business- maybe even investors and people that would want to collaborate with you. When I was also starting, I wasn’t so confident. I could speak Russian but I felt like that’s just not enough. So I had to fight against that mindset.
Another thing in Russia is that if you speak the language and can express yourself as a foreigner, especially if you’re black, trust me, everything is going to bend to you. People will actually respect you.
I remember a client telling me, “I cannot imagine that a black person telling me this in a language I understand, and I’m convinced by what this person is telling me” and I sold the trip just like that. This client kept telling me I cannot believe that you’re expressing all this in this kind of way. And they’re like, ‘Wow, I want to go on that trip right now”.
Awesome! So do you have any plans to leave Russia at any point in the future?
Yeah, I think I would relocate from Russia at some point. I’m actually considering that. Russia will just be like the place where I will always come to, like my second home. I’ll always come here, spend some time here, see friends, and go shopping.
Anytime I need a change in environment. I’ve thought about where I would relocate to, but I think there is no other place, no other continent I’ll relocate to other than Africa. I was considering Europe or one of these famous countries, but I feel everything is much more or less the same. The same challenges and all.
That’s interesting. All right, is there anything that you really like about Moscow, or what you really like about living in Moscow?
I like the fact that everything is available in Moscow- transport, for example. There is just easy access to everything. I love the fact that the internet works excellent, in Moscow in particular. I think even everywhere in the country.
Because if you go to other countries, especially if you go back to Africa, the internet is always a problem. It’s expensive. It’s slow. You always have to keep topping up. But when you’re here, you’re assured that you’re going to have your Wi-Fi working and your mobile internet turned on. You’re connected all the time. I like the people, and that it is safe to walk any time of the day.
How long have you lived in Moscow?
Nine years.
Wow. Okay, so you would say that you started working around that period, like you’ve been working in Moscow since then.
Yeah.
Can you give us, approximately how much you spend in a month, and what are the things you spend in Moscow?
Monthly, I am giving an approximate figure between 150,000p-300,000p. I spend about 50,000 on rent monthly. I stay alone and I don’t spend so much on food. Sometimes I cook my food, sometimes I order in. I hardly eat out.
I spend also on transport. Shopping too– makeup, perfumes, shoes, bags, manicure, pedicure, hair, everything girls like in general.
So you would say most of your money is spent on shopping or rent?
Definitely shopping.
Do you attend a lot of events in Moscow, do you go to parties?
Yeah, I go to a number of events from different communities, both the Russian and African communities. I think in 2024, I partied the most. Earlier it was just studies or meeting friends.
Okay, what is your current relationship status?
Right now, I am single. But I am looking forward to a person to settle with- someone who wants a relationship that would grow into marriage.
Do you have any specifics on what you are looking for, since the dating market in Moscow is very crazy…
So, in 2024, I really got to understand what is happening in the dating pool. Before, I used to be out of that world, especially in Moscow and I realised that thinking you are going to find a loyal man might be a big problem. That same man might be with many other girls. So you have come to terms with the fact that there are not a lot of loyal men.
I would say, though, that I am looking for someone that is loyal because I will be a loyal woman. I also want someone that understands me and my lifestyle. A person that wouldn’t require me to change anything about myself. I want us to be content with each other. So it’s trust, loyalty, understanding, love and acceptance.
And the money part, I haven’t talked about it, right?
Yeah, you haven’t…
So, of course, I would need someone with money. Not like I want to exploit him or anything, but as a firstborn girl, I would love to be spoiled. I don’t want to do all the hustling. I want a man who would be able to say, “I think you have done enough. It’s now time to take care of you.”
Hmm, alright. So what don’t you like about living in Moscow?
Uhm, I don’t like how expensive accommodation is. It is very difficult to find accommodation that suits you. It is either overpriced or it is old and not your style. I usually hear people say that it is difficult for black people to get apartments but maybe because I speak Russian, I have not really had an issue.
I think the low payments too. I think if people were paid higher, it would be very comfortable to live in this city.
What is the craziest thing that has happened to you in Moscow?
I remember one time in the summer, I met with an Instagram friend I had been chatting with for the first time. It was for a business meeting. It was very interesting because it later became a party. There were friends around and we randomly selected a place to go to after and we spent the whole day out till morning. I didn’t sleep. I didn’t doze off. I did not even eat a lot. It was something I had never done.
We were at this overnight club that had just opened and it was packed with people because it was summertime. I met a lot of cool Russians, dressed nice, showing off and stuff. I was so shy and I didn’t even know who to talk to. Everyone was paired with a guy or girl and I was like, ‘I think I came to the wrong place.’ But I managed to fit in, made some friends and danced the whole night and that’s how the day ended.
Thank you so much for sharing your stories. It was really nice talking to you!
Thank you for having me!
