Tunisian Beauty Hanaa Ben Abdesslem talks to MEF http://www.middleeast-fashion.com/profiles/blogs/tunisian-beauty-hanaa-ben-abdesslem-talks-to-mef
Born and raised in Nabeul-Tunisia, Hanaa Ben Abdesslem stands at 180cm ( 5'10.5), with her gazelle legs and amazing face features, the Mediterranean beauty really stands out from the crowd !
At the age of 5, Hanaa would tip-toe through her house, pretending she was walking on a catwalk.
Her mother was the first to claim her daughter would one day become a model. Throughout Hanaa's childhood, Fashion and Modeling fascinated her.
Since 2011, the Tunisian beauty ranked #24 in the "Top 50 Women" of Models.com
Chosen as the spokesperson of Lancôme and Jean Paul Gaultier new Muse,Hanaa Ben Abdesslem doesn't stop suprising us !
Tell us more about you, where were your born and how did you get into modeling ?
I was raised in a Town on the sea coast of Tunisia named Nabeul. My father is a civil engineer and my mother is a stay home Mom. I first came to Europe end of 2009 and in the beginning I was focusing on building my book/portfolio. In 2010, My manager, Sophie Galal, presented me to IMG Paris who in turn presented me to Carine Roitfeld (Editor in Chief of French Vogue at the time).
Through her introduction to Ricardo Tisci ,I was chosen for Givenchy exclusivity fashion show that same season.
How would you describre yourself as a model ?
I feel I have the responsibility in giving a good example to others who will follow.
For the younger generation in my country, who dream of pursuing the same profession on an international level. I recently registered at the ministry of employment in my country “ modeling” and up to then it wasn’t officially a recognized profession. Now it is and young girls and boys today can register if they choose it to be their profession and the government will recognize it.
3 words to define the modeling industry.
Perseverance, competition & inspiration.
What are your favorite aspects of your job ?
I love meeting & working with interesting talented people.
"]Any less favorite aspects ?
The feeling I am always on an airplane!
What do you do to stay in shape, any strict diets ?
I don’t have any diets. I eat Healthy Mediterranean food & keep in shape with physical exercise.
How would you describe your personal style ?
Minimalistic
How do you see Fashion in Tunisia and the Middle East ?
Do you think Fashion is getting the attention needed in the Middle East ?
I believe we are starting to get a little attention but we need more exposure & recognition of our talented designers.
Hanaa, you’ve been involved in a charity work “ Esmaani” since July 2011.
Can you tell us more about it ?
I am the Spokes woman of the NGO Esmaani, Esmaani is a non profit organization & its main focus is to contribute in the development of social needs. Esmaani trains teams of volunteers whom regularly visit health facilities & hospitals, offering support, warmth, friendship and laughter to the ill & needy.
By identifying the needs, they offer financial support in areas of neglect improving conditions.
As spoke woman of the NGO Esmaani I am very involved in Esmaani’s commitments & focus. Whenever I am in Tunis, I visit the hospitals, spend time with the sick & play with the children with cancer.
I donate toys, entertainment equipment and participates in refurbishing playing areas in the hospitals.
What motivated you to do this charity work ?
I would like to be an advocate for the need & urgency to improve public health facilities and services in my country, in hopes to bring attention to the authorities & making it a priority for better living conditions in the health sector.
We’ve seen some touching images from your volunteering with Esmaani, how did it feel talking to these kids, playing and sharing moments with them ?
It's hard and I tried to bring a smile to their faces.However, there is so much to be done and not enough resources.
What are the goals that you want to attend through this work ?
Improve better living conditions for the hospitalized patients and create awareness of the social health needs.
Did you get support from anyone else to help you achieve these goals ?
Of course, this can only be done through teamwork and solidarity.The Esmaani team are dedicated to these goals.
If someone reading this interview wants to help and volunteer,how can he/she get in touch with Esmaani ?
Any contribution will be a great help. You can donate medicine, medical equipment such as wheelchairs , toys or financially. You can also simply vonlunteer some of your time by bringing comfort to the sick & spending time with them. Even a small gesture is a big step. You can contact Esmaani any time by email, Fb or phone : [email protected] - Facebook page : Esmâani - Tél : 00 216 28 888 518
Any tips/advice do you have for aspiring Middle Eastern models just starting out ?[/I]
Follow your dream, work hard, be professional & never give up !
A quote that you could leave us with ?
"You can't cross a sea by merely staring into the water."
- Rabindranath Tagore -
http://www.middleeast-fashion.com/
Born and raised in Nabeul-Tunisia, Hanaa Ben Abdesslem stands at 180cm ( 5'10.5), with her gazelle legs and amazing face features, the Mediterranean beauty really stands out from the crowd !
At the age of 5, Hanaa would tip-toe through her house, pretending she was walking on a catwalk.
Her mother was the first to claim her daughter would one day become a model. Throughout Hanaa's childhood, Fashion and Modeling fascinated her.
Since 2011, the Tunisian beauty ranked #24 in the "Top 50 Women" of Models.com
Chosen as the spokesperson of Lancôme and Jean Paul Gaultier new Muse,Hanaa Ben Abdesslem doesn't stop suprising us !
Tell us more about you, where were your born and how did you get into modeling ?
I was raised in a Town on the sea coast of Tunisia named Nabeul. My father is a civil engineer and my mother is a stay home Mom. I first came to Europe end of 2009 and in the beginning I was focusing on building my book/portfolio. In 2010, My manager, Sophie Galal, presented me to IMG Paris who in turn presented me to Carine Roitfeld (Editor in Chief of French Vogue at the time).
Through her introduction to Ricardo Tisci ,I was chosen for Givenchy exclusivity fashion show that same season.
How would you describre yourself as a model ?
I feel I have the responsibility in giving a good example to others who will follow.
For the younger generation in my country, who dream of pursuing the same profession on an international level. I recently registered at the ministry of employment in my country “ modeling” and up to then it wasn’t officially a recognized profession. Now it is and young girls and boys today can register if they choose it to be their profession and the government will recognize it.
3 words to define the modeling industry.
Perseverance, competition & inspiration.
What are your favorite aspects of your job ?
I love meeting & working with interesting talented people.
"]Any less favorite aspects ?
The feeling I am always on an airplane!
What do you do to stay in shape, any strict diets ?
I don’t have any diets. I eat Healthy Mediterranean food & keep in shape with physical exercise.
How would you describe your personal style ?
Minimalistic
How do you see Fashion in Tunisia and the Middle East ?
Do you think Fashion is getting the attention needed in the Middle East ?
I believe we are starting to get a little attention but we need more exposure & recognition of our talented designers.
Hanaa, you’ve been involved in a charity work “ Esmaani” since July 2011.
Can you tell us more about it ?
I am the Spokes woman of the NGO Esmaani, Esmaani is a non profit organization & its main focus is to contribute in the development of social needs. Esmaani trains teams of volunteers whom regularly visit health facilities & hospitals, offering support, warmth, friendship and laughter to the ill & needy.
By identifying the needs, they offer financial support in areas of neglect improving conditions.
As spoke woman of the NGO Esmaani I am very involved in Esmaani’s commitments & focus. Whenever I am in Tunis, I visit the hospitals, spend time with the sick & play with the children with cancer.
I donate toys, entertainment equipment and participates in refurbishing playing areas in the hospitals.
What motivated you to do this charity work ?
I would like to be an advocate for the need & urgency to improve public health facilities and services in my country, in hopes to bring attention to the authorities & making it a priority for better living conditions in the health sector.
We’ve seen some touching images from your volunteering with Esmaani, how did it feel talking to these kids, playing and sharing moments with them ?
It's hard and I tried to bring a smile to their faces.However, there is so much to be done and not enough resources.
What are the goals that you want to attend through this work ?
Improve better living conditions for the hospitalized patients and create awareness of the social health needs.
Did you get support from anyone else to help you achieve these goals ?
Of course, this can only be done through teamwork and solidarity.The Esmaani team are dedicated to these goals.
If someone reading this interview wants to help and volunteer,how can he/she get in touch with Esmaani ?
Any contribution will be a great help. You can donate medicine, medical equipment such as wheelchairs , toys or financially. You can also simply vonlunteer some of your time by bringing comfort to the sick & spending time with them. Even a small gesture is a big step. You can contact Esmaani any time by email, Fb or phone : [email protected] - Facebook page : Esmâani - Tél : 00 216 28 888 518
Any tips/advice do you have for aspiring Middle Eastern models just starting out ?[/I]
Follow your dream, work hard, be professional & never give up !
A quote that you could leave us with ?
"You can't cross a sea by merely staring into the water."
- Rabindranath Tagore -
http://www.middleeast-fashion.com/
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Mostly, Paris, NYC and Tunisia
