Dji Dieng, the model with the Longest Legs in Fashion talks about being president of Zero Malaria.
Dji Dieng, one of Africa’s precious pearls chats with FashionAfrica.com bring us into her life, career & how have the Longest Legs in Fashion has worked for her.
Walk This Way. . .
Wadami: Am so honored to be having this interview with you. It’s always rare to find people who are so modest about their achievements (and you have achieved quite A LOT).
Our primary focus today is on your new title as President (Congratulations!) of Zero Malaria; an independent goodwill non-profit association, engaged in the fight against malaria worldwide, but before we get into all of that . . .
How are you, and how was it growing up in Senegal, Paris, New York, Milan?
Dji: I am fine, thank you! Senegal is my home country and it will always be in my heart, where I will be. Living in Paris, New York and Milan was certainly important to me, because I learned to know different cultures and different languages – five totally – and they have helped me a lot in my life.
W.: How did you get into modeling? Did you always want to be a model?
D: Smile. No I never wanted to be a model. I concentrated on my studies, but then one day I was approached by a Model Scout in Paris. First I was suspicious, but I went to the agency with my mother. And surprise, I immediately got a contract for Haute-Couture Shows. That was the beginning.
W.: Do you remember your 1st model job? Please tell us about it.
D: First Job is never easy, as you do not know if you are doing the things right and to the satisfaction of the designer. But obviously I did it well, and got other bookings right away.
W: Who else have you modeled for since then, and what would you say has been the most exciting thus far?
D: I have modeled for many designers around the planet, and I apologize to them if I have forgotten some of them. In the meantime – from Mercedes Benz Fashionweek to other important Fashion Shows. At the Nokia Fashionweek I made 23 shows in a row. That was so crazy but so wonderful. From Christian Dior to Hermès, Carven, Vivienne Westwood, Missoni, D&G, DIESEL, Romeo Gigli Italy, Suzanna Peric, Madonna, Eymeric Francois, Torrente, Alphadi, Lac et Mel, Trash-Couture and many more.
W: WoW, and with all of that you still manage to run your companies?! Please tell us more about them.
D: Oh that is not so important. And I rarely speak about the diversification I am making to prepare my future for the “After-Modeling Time”.
I have set-up a number of companies in the music business, managing different musicians and DJs (www.ccruniversal.com / www.djclubbing.net).
W: Well-done! Congratulations again on the AWARD FOR HUMANITY, the LEADING LADIES AWARD and the UNITED NATIONS VOLUNTEER AWARD.
How do you do it all? How did you get into so much humanitarian work?
D: Thank you for the compliment, what I pass to all the people socially engaged in humanitarian projects – There is still so much to help, and we would need more support of the industries too to achieve all humanitarian goals.
As a model there are some fix dates for the fashion shows, and in between is time to do other things, besides photo shootings and advertising campaigns.
In my life I had ups and downs as anyone on this planet. I was just “more lucky” maybe, and therefore I was always involved into humanitarian work, even when I was not known as a topmodel. So I support actively for HIV / AIDS Prevention, Breast Cancer Prevention, UNESCO Children Villages and UNESC World Heritage Sites. A few months ago I got elected President of ZeroMalaria (www.zeromalaria.org)
W: Zero Malaria, what is this about?
D: ZeroMalaria Association is a non-profit non-governmental humanitarian organization committed to combat Malaria world-wide.
Every 30 seconds a Child dies of Malaria !
Every 30 seconds an Adult dies of Malaria !
This made me to decide to help to combat Malaria, beside I had it myself in Senegal.
W: Now that you are president of Zero Malaria what role(s) do you intend to play in the elimination of this epidemic?
D: First of all I work with the management of ZeroMalaria Association to spread the message on how dangerous Malaria is still today!
One bite is enough!
Not only the people living in malaria epidemic countries are endangered to get Malaria, but also the 120 millions of tourists and businessmen traveling to these countries. Spontaneously some friends on my network are Jody Watley (Grammy Award Winner), Salif Keita (UN Ambassador), Gavin Rajah (Designer and UNICEF Ambassador), Gitta Saxx from Germany, but also Supermax the living legend, Stamina, New Sin, Coshiva, Solo Dos and many more have joined ZeroMalaria Association in the combat against Malaria, to spread each the message about the danger of Malaria.
We are actually recording the ZeroMalaria Song at the moment.
A song where many international artists are participating, and even more will come and join the ZeroMalaria Song in their own language.
The song will be available on iTunes, Napster, Amazon, Music load and many other legal music download sites, and a special press release will follow when we release the song in two months from now.
The benefit of the ZeroMalaria Song sales will be entirely distributed to fund mosquito nets for free to the poor and poorest in Malaria countries.
W: We wish you the best of luck, and are right behind you if you need any sort of support.
D: Thank you for the wish, but we need more than luck.
We need the support of socially engaged companies from industries, finance and services to combat Malaria.
We need the help from anyone. It is easy to join as supporting member, as donator, but also the help from specialists and IT technicians. Any constructive help is welcomed to combat Malaria together.
W: Truth, Hopefully people click the links and get involved.
Before we go, I can’t help but shed some light on your some-may-consider-best asset! (Aside your modesty of course!) BUT your LEGS. How does it feel being known as the model with L O N G E S T L E G S?!
D: BIG SMILE HERE hehehehehehe.
Longest legs! Who told you that.
I am probably the only model “cheating” the other way round. All models pretend to be taller than what they truly are. And me, with the longest legs I try to be smaller Joke!
In fact the 125cm helped a lot for the Haute-Couture and the Photo Shootings, as I have the ability to pose in extraordinary ways.
It is quite rare for me not to be booked because of the length of my legs. When the designers see me, they book me right away. Just a Set-Card wouldn’t do the affair, because they would just judge on the measures, but not on the personality – and personality is more important than some measures.
W: How many jokes have you gotten about that? Like “Walk this way” or “walk all over me”. . .
D: Then I always say: Precisely therefore I got my long legs – to pass over obstacles like you ! But coming back to the reality. I never was winded up because of my long legs. Most of the people just stare at them and admire them.
W: Hahahaa, It was really lovely chatting. Thank you so much and my best wishes in all your endeavors!
D: I thank you also for the opportunity you gave to me to have an interview with you.
I bless all of your readers.
Dji
April 19th, 2009 at 5:57 am
you are doing well