Shaving my head is not against my femininity...
Not only am I a woman, but I am also black and I am bald. So I had to learn to look at myself with new eyes: I had become truer, freer, because I was authentic.
Hello, I am Moh, I live in Paris and I am a model. I am featured in Code Eve’s movie. Next to modeling, I have a full-time job that involves a lot of traveling. It is not an easy task to combine both activities. Modeling is my passion and I won’t renounce to it.
What is funny is that I became a model “by accident” so to say. I was walking down the street when a man stopped me. He said he was a photographer and that my face had interesting features he would love to photograph. First, I suspected he was trying to chat me up but he happened to be a fashion photographer. This encounter launched my modeling career, without me stopping my studies - I eventually got my bachelor in International business. But my career as a model really got going when I shaved my hair
Why have you chosen to support Code Eve?
I was approached by Kevin, a very talented videographer I had worked with. He pitched me the concept of CODE EVE. I loved the idea of a brand that was about women’s empowerment, which has a strong meaning in my life with the choices I made. I also liked the elegance and refinement of the watch and decided I would associate my image to CODE EVE pro bono, as my way of contributing to the women’s cause.
“With the choices I made, women’s empowerment has a strong meaning in my life."
Have you faced situations where you have been treated differently because you were a woman?
Not only am I a woman, but I am also black and I am bald. (laughter). So yes, believe me, this changes the way people look at you and treat you. I need to fight twice as much to prove that I am worth the same as other Western women or even more so men.
What is you secret to find balance between your family life, your professional life and your personal life?
I am not sure I have a secret actually (laughter). For a long time, I gave priority to my double career as a professional and as a model. Husband and children were not part of the equation at that time as I believed I could not dedicate the time I wanted to a family. I am more open to this today. I think I can share my life experiences and the person who I am with someone. It is not too late to start a family and dedicate it enough time.
What positive piece of advice or encouragement would you give to other Code Eve women?
Keep on fighting, we are not there yet! It is beautiful to be a woman. We live difficult moments right now but we will make it eventually! We women must learn to listen to that voice deep inside of us that tells us we are strong. Even with one knee on the floor, we can stand back. There is always hope. Always believe in yourself. The first person to be proud of yourself is you.
“We women must learn to listen to that voice deep inside of us that tells us we are strong.”
What is your way of being feminine?
This is a very meaningful question to me, as I have shaved my hair. For many, hair is the ultimate expression of femininity. Shaving my hair was a strong act. Before that, I tried everything with it: straighten it, add extensions, wear wigs. I had long hair, short hair, an afro, you name it. I realized that I was trying to correspond to Western beauty criteria whereas I am of African origins. I was cutting myself from my roots and hiding from myself. I understood it after a trip to South Africa. I met so many beautiful African women there, some with shaved heads. They had found their way of being natural and true to their culture, while remaining feminine. This really inspired me to find my own identity and be myself. When I came back, I cut my hair. Shaving my head is not against my femininity. It is an expression of the woman I am. The paradox is that I feel more feminine than ever with no hair! I had to learn to look at myself with new eyes: I had become truer, freer, because I was authentic. No more hiding, No more pretending. Just me, free at last.
“I had become truer, freer, more feminine than ever because I was authentic. No more hiding, no more pretending. Just me, free at last.”
Follow Moh on Instagram: @moh_dia