Today we’d like to introduce you to Louisa Lulu Segole.
Hi Louisa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey as a model and creative started a little over a decade ago. I was that confident chubby kid that loved being a part of something, always participating in extramural activities. My confidence and love for the arts started then and was instilled by my aunt. She took me to a recreational center called Mmabana in Mafikeng, South Africa, she then introduced me to a dance group which was managed by one of South Africa’s incredible female bass guitarist Aus’ Tebza, meeting her changed the trajectory of my life. Her confidence and love for the arts rubbed off on me; seeing her on Tv as a kid made me believe that anything is possible. My aunt also encouraged me to enter a pageant in Primary School (which I didn’t win), it sparked something in me though.
Fast Forward to Matric, I became part of a band in Mamelodi, that was my first band, and it introduced me to other musicians. I got the confidence to audition and be a part of big projects and groups in South Africa like Izithelo Zika Moya, Tshwane Gospel Choir, Fashion Meets Gospel by Lindani Ndwandwa just to name a few. My journey had (Still does) a dominoes effect from those groups I got to work with big artists such as Karabo Mogane, Musa Sukwene, Brenda Mtambo, Putuma Tiso, Ndoh Dlamini, Sipho Makhabane, and the list goes on. Those platforms planted a seed of professionalism and work ethics I am forever grateful to have worked with such powerhouses.
2016, I decided to go back to modeling while I was also pursuing music. I scheduled a photoshoot with Sanny Sanchez during my stay in Germany, and that was the beginning of my modelling career resuscitation. I applied for agencies in South Africa and went to castings. I did my first runway showcase in 2017, and the rest is history.
In 2020, I made the most bittersweet decision of my life and left everything that was familiar and comfortable. I moved to the state, and that was another turning point in my life. I then decided to expand my modelling brand and also observe how things are done in the US as far as modelling and creative work is concerned. I love networking and observing how other people/creatives do things, and that’s a skill I learnt at an early age and that got me to where I am now. I’ve worked with a lot of creatives, publishers, producers, photographers, models, designers, event organizers, stylists, musicians, and brands in the US, and I believe I’m still yet to tap into other platforms and learn from other powerhouses because one thing I will not do is box myself.
2022, I entered the Miss Fashion Global competition after procrastinating for 2 years, I eventually got dragged by my partner (God bless him lol), FYI I entered super last minute, in October to be exact, the pageant was in November. As I was doing last-minute preparations for it impostor syndrome cripped in every now and then and to be honest I almost didn’t attend it. I had a little road trip to the pageant event location and was praying in the car and just giving it to God. The first day of the orientation I had so much anxiety because the last time I did a pageant competition was in primary and so I didn’t know what to expect. I got on stage, and God took over, I was crowned Miss fashion Global-Curvy and Miss Fashion Global-Universe 4th runner-up. I am grateful for the opportunity and the sisterhood that came with it.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
In November 2018 I had a setback ordeal where I was hospitalized because I had collapsed and prior to that I had terrible anxiety attacks. I was then given the wrong prescription which made me paralyzed (couldn’t eat, write, bathe myself, walk properly, my vision was blurry, and couldn’t speak properly), my family took care of me during that period, I lost A LOT OF WEIGHT. I was still a part-time student, and I had exams, but because of that, I couldn’t get myself to write. I went in the exam room being optimistic, literally forced myself to pick up the pen and write whatever I could remember from classes and study notes, I couldn’t, my hand wouldn’t let me, and I ended up giving up writing that exam and the ones that followed. That changed the trajectory of my life completely. The following year I got a bit better and appealed to re-write my exams with doctors’ notes and all the documents needed, but my appeal got rejected. I then had to choose whether I wanted to go back to corporate full-time or repeat my B-Tech degree(I studied Marketing by the way). I had initially decided to go back to work but lo and behold on the day that I had to go back I couldn’t wake up, my body refused, and it was a default termination because I hadn’t showed up for work in 2 months. I dragged myself to classes, repeated the same modules, it was very discouraging, but I knew that God had a better plan. That whole year I worked on myself, did a lot of introspection, and at some point, I felt like I had reached the ceiling I knew that there was something bigger out there for me and that the setback was a redirection for me. January 2020, I got an opportunity to come to the US, and it’s been blessings after blessings ever since. That whole ordeal taught me to be grateful for even the small things like the ability to talk, walk, touch, for mental health, and to just be alive and able to do things I am passionate about because at some point I lost hope and the zeal to live.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
-I work with a lot of brands as an affiliate, influencer/ambassador and partner. -I sell my South African-inspired apparel & accessories at a black owned business in Connecticut Post Mall (ITS the Room) and I also used to do social media and Admin for them.
-I host curated events for curvy/plus Queens
-I recently established a consulting (marketing, advertising, branding, and talent management) business.
-I am the Founder of Curve Beauty Society-which aims at building creative, personal and business networks.
-I recently established an Airbnb Business
-I am a musician (DJ)
And a lot of other projects in the pipeline.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
*Patience is virtue in this industry.
*Don’t get tired of learning new things and have a teachable spirit.
*Don’t be afraid to network and put yourself out there.
*Block your ears from the noise/naysayers because unfortunately it comes with the territory.
*Your character will speak for you, check yourself.
*Don’t be scared to ask questions.
*Analyse your “WHY”
*Don’t let impostor syndrome cripple you.
*Be AUTHENTIC.
*PRAY
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktree.com/soulphisticated_brand
- Instagram: @soulphisticated_brand
- Facebook: Louisa Lulu Soulphisticated-lady
- Youtube: @soulphisticatedbrand
- Yelp: @soulphisticatedbrand
Image Credits
Eyesight Studios
ViewzbySorel
Kibwe Photography
Lynnhenleyphotography
