Hailing from France by way of Senegal, Mia Aminata Niara is what I would call a Tender Beauty.
She’s long, she’s lean, she’s strong, and she’s gentle.
She Gives Face and Attitude.
She transforms!
She’s Wonderful.
Women or Girls always ask me what it takes to be a model.
I will say it takes Self Confidence, Courage, and knowing what is Right for You.
Modeling is more than standing there & looking cute.
A Professional Model studies the fashion business, world politics & culture, knows the designers, the magazines, & the photographers, in addition to practicing a strict skin regimen, drinking tons of water, eating fruits and veggies at every meal serving, getting ample rest, daily exercise, etc.
A Great Model is also a Silent Actress.
She can make me feel her joy, her agony, her cunning, her excitement, her wantonness, etc.
She is akin to a Film Star from the 1920’s.
We do not need dialogue because her eyes carry all the emotion.
Her body language tells us the story.
Yes at the end of the day she is selling us this garment, but we choose whether to pay attention or not.
I really enjoy a Model who can tell this story in 1 image.
What makes a Great Model to me is different from any other image maker and this is what is so fascinating about fashion photography.
Each of us designs our story for the garment.
And each of us decides who will best tell the story.
Today I’d like to Celebrate Mia as a Beautiful Story Teller who has many stories and portrays them with “Grace”. (pun intended)
Below is her Career History According to NY Mag .
1985
Born in Senegal
2006
Discovered by Alber Elbaz of Lanvin
2006
Signs with Viva Models in Paris
OCT 2006
Debuts at the spring Lanvin show in Paris
FEB 2007
Walks the fall Roberto Cavalli, Dries Van Noten, Louis Vuitton, and Vivienne Westwood shows in Milan and Paris
MAR 2007
Appears in French Glamour editorial, photographed by Stéphane Gallois
JUL 2007
Walks the fall Jean Paul Gaultier couture show in Paris
2007
TheSartorialist.com features Niaria and her off-the-runway style
SEP 2007
Appears in Harper’s Bazaar editorial with Alber Elbaz, photographed by Jean-Paul Goude
SEP 2007
Walks the spring Duro Olowu, Basso & Brooke, and Celine shows in London and Paris
NOV 2007
Appears in Russian Vogue editorial with Siri Tollerød, photographed by Mark Pillai
JAN 2008
Walks the spring Guy Laroche couture show in Paris
FEB 2008
Walks the fall Vivienne Westwood and Veronique Branquinho shows in Paris
2008
Models for H&M spring catalog
2008
Leaves Viva Models in Paris and signs with IMG worldwide
AUG 2008
Appears in German Vogue editorial, photographed by Koto Bolofo
SEP 2008
Walks her first New York Fashion Week for the spring Cynthia Rowley, Erin Fetherston, Proenza Schouler, Malandrino, and Ralph Lauren shows
SEP 2008
Appears in Harper’s Bazaar editorial, with Hyoni Kang and Emina Cunmulaj, photographed by Oliviero Toscani.
OCT 2008
Style.com features Niaria as a top-ten newcomer of the season
JAN 2009
Walks the spring Christian Lacroix couture show in Paris
thestudioArena 