Africa News Entertainment Europe Housemates Salone Drama Sierra Leone Sierra Leone United Kingdom

Sierra Leone’s top model: Lolo Simeon, the trailblazing force of fashion modelling in the world.

Post Views: 1130

Last updated: 2024/12/11 at 2:08 AM

By Sallu Kamuskay Published February 16, 2022 572 Views 11 Min Read

11 Min Read

Sallu Kamuskay

12 February 2022

Profile & photographic collection.

‘’Growing up as a young girl, I was so skinny, in a way that when you see me, you will tell my parent, take this child to the hospital, she is sick. I just think my modelling career was defined by the people around me who inspired me to believe in myself’’ Lolo Simeon

Meet Lolo Simeon, the trailblasing force of fashion modelling in Sierra Leone and abroad. This journey began at a startlingly young age. As the supermodel once explained, “Well, in brief, I was scouted by an Africanist journalist who came to Sierra Leone and was writing stories about Bondo Mask, which is an object used by the secret society that is practicing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). He needed a model to photograph with the objects that he was looking for. This subsequently paved my way into the modelling industry and I was first taken to Europe for a modelling event’’.

Just in few weeks after meeting this Africanist journalist, Lolo Simeon’s childhood dream of becoming a model turned into reality – the future face of modelling was featured on major modelling platforms across the world. This trip abroad created a platform for the future and Lolo would soon use the platform to land starring roles in global fashion shows and transcend the catwalk to influence the wider culture around her.

Currently based in France – Born and raised in Freetown, Lolo Simeon, is a Sierra Leonean international model, interpreter, entrepreneur, founder of Fashion To Empower SL and Let Our Children Dream Foundation. Her Fashion company, -Fashion To Empower Sl organises fashion events and competitions including Mister and Miss Best Model Sierra Leone, Runway Fashion Shows etc.

Growing up as a child in Sierra Leone , it was no bed of roses for Lolo. She has always dreamt of becoming a strong, independent, and generous woman of substance. She understood the challenges of life in an environment that gives men the right to maltreat women and take advantage of their vulnerability. Women and girls are left with little or no choice to become independent or self-reliant, they are forced to accept whatever is given to them. To go through University and succeed in whatever project was and is still extremely challenging for women, because of the sexual harassment that comes with it.

Along the way, however, Lolo would face personal challenges in the industry. Her fortitude in the face of this atrocity helped to inspire and empower her to overcome challenges. ‘’I did not come from a rich family. It was really not easy. There was a time when I faced challenges to pay school fees, but I had my late uncle, who was always there to help, in paying school fees.I was raised by a single mom as my dad was away. First of all, I came to a country ( in Europe) where there is a huge language barrier. It is a French speaking country, I don’t speak French. So I came to Europe with one goal , and is to get myself the best education I can have and live my dream life. I went through a lot, I cut myself out of social media. I lived with a French family and for me to achieve my dreams, I had to work ten times harder than any other person in the town that I was. I gave birth to a son, and having a baby, trying to learn and trying to do the things I was passionate about –that was not an easy task at all. I had the possibility to give excuses of not wanting to pursue my education and dreams. The child and the language barrier were hard but I did not give up in my efforts to achieving my dreams.’’

Lolo Simeon wearing Becca Apparel at the African Fashion Week in London 2018

Lolo Simeon started her educational journey at the Ronsabs Preparatory in Sierra Leone. She attended the Annie Walsh Memorial Junior Secondary School, SOS Hermann Gmeiner School, and Royal Becklyn Academy in Freetown where she completed her Junior and senior secondary education. She traveled to France where she furthered her education. She sat to the Baccalauréat exam and passed with honors which earned her a space in the University of Lorraine Nancy where she graduated with a Bachelors degree in Langues Étrangères Appliquées ( Foreign Languages Applied to Business). Lolo Simeon currently holds a Masters degree in Foreign Languages Applied to Business specialised in Translation Technology from the University of Lorraine Metz.

Lolo has also worked as an interpreter for SAMIE (Service d’Accompagnement des Mineurs Isolés Étrangers) and the Conseil Départemental of France. These Institutions are responsible for accompanying Foreign teenagers to integrate into the French culture by giving them all the support they need. Lolo has also modelled for high fashion designers at Milan Fashion week, London African Fashion Week, Paris Fashion night Culture, Miss Supermodel worldwide Africa, Metz Festival de Mariage etc.

An enterpreneur, translator and founder of Let Our Children Dream Foundation

Back in her home country, Lolo is making a huge difference and changing lives. She is the founder of Let Our Children Dream Foundation. Her foundation help change the mindset of children and let them know they can dream big and become good citizens and to believe in their ability and willpower. Lolo’s foundation also gives support to less privileged children across the city of Freetown including Lumley, Godrich devil hole communities, etc. Lolo is working towards launching the very first reality tv shopping show in partnership with leading television networks and United Sierra Leone.

Lolo Simeon founder of Let Our Children Dream Foundation

Lolo’s greatest inspiration is the late Dr. Myles Munroe, Bahamian evangelist and ordained minister avid professor of the Kingdom of God, author, speaker and leadership consultant who founded and led the Bahamas Faith Ministries International (BFMI) and Myles Munroe International (MMI), who helped rediscovered and gave her a clear insight into God’s word. His words, teachings and values have helped shaped the woman she is today, Lolo told Salone Messenger. Lolo plans to continue in her effort to showcase the impact of fashion and modelling, in making the world a more better place. She plans to build recreational centres for school-going children across Sierra Leone and to have the first-ever international modelling agency that will scout and sell models across the world.

‘’My message would be, do not limit your ability to your current situation or environment. Unlearn and relearn things that would shape and refine your mind for good. Remember, everything is possible only if we set our minds on it. Spread love and respect one another. Treat others as you may want others to treat you and let’s make our country great and peaceful. If we sell our African culture more and we draw global attention, the world would want to come. So that is what I am hoping that I achieve if not only with me but with people that have the same interest in developing Sierra Leone and Africa as a whole and our modelling industry because we have so much to show to the world’’. Lolo told Salone Messenger.

At Venice film festival at the 77th wearing Lelkalor, an Italian brand

Lolo has started her work already to see the fashion industry and Africa models excel into an international market. She hopes to showcase Africa through fashion and through culture, particularly the Sierra Leone culture. Lolo is working hard to ensure the outside world see what Africa and Sierra Leone have to offer. She has started organising and mobilising people to follow her fashion and modelling work with a view to showcase Sierra Leone to the world.

At Venice film festival at the 77th wearing Lelkalor, an Italian brand	Lolo Simeon at the Fashion night culture Paris	Lolo Simeon wearing Becca Apparel at the African Fashion Week in London 2018	An enterpreneur, translator and founder of Let Our Children Dream Foundation

TAGGED: Lolo Simion, Sierra leonean top up model

Share this Article

By Sallu Kamuskay

Follow:

Sallu Kamuskay is a Sierra Leonean communication strategist, fixer, blogger, youth organiser, event manager, spokesperson, and public relations expert. His work has been regularly referenced and published by national and international media and public policy institutions. Sallu Kamuskay was a child during the brutal war in Sierra Leone. Growing up in the midst of conflict, Sallu witnessed unimaginable abuse of children and gross violations of human rights. The horrors he witnessed during the Civil War had a terrible impact on him at a very tender age. But despite the shock of the war, Sallu never lost hope. He started on a journey of recovery, studying, and working for a better future. At age 15, Sallu entered into the world of activism and advocacy. Sallu Kamuskay was the Vice President of the Young Leaders Organisation, a member of the National Youth Council. The Young Leaders is one of the oldest youth-led organisations in West Africa. The organisation was formed by a group of young leaders, and launched by the then Head of State/President of Sierra Leone. Sallu was part of the group of young leaders who participated in and contributed to the establishment of the National Youth Council. The Commonwealth supported the training for trainers programme with line ministries and youth stakeholders in which key, representatives of youth council, student union and civil society/private sector youth platforms were engaged and empowered in the effective engagement and inclusion of youth. Sallu is co-founder and Executive Director of the Salone Messenger, a global multimedia and public relations firm based In Sierra Leone. Sallu has worked on various developmental and policy issues such as Poverty, Climate Change, Human rights, Child Rights, Education, Health, Gender Equality, Civic Engagement, Government policies, Information Communication Technology for Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, and has also been contributing to various global events and advocacy campaigns. Sallu Kamuskay is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Salone Messenger, a global Multimedia and Public Relations Firm based in Sierra Leone with the latest news and information, on top stories, business, politics, entertainment, and more. Sallu is working with a leading technology company in Africa, Techfrica, that has recently developed and launched a social media, messaging Supfrica with over 150,000 downloads on the Google play store in less than 4 days. He is the Adviser and Media coordinator for the App to give people the platform to connect and communicate to help shape their future with a very fast internet that allows users that live in deprived and hard-to-reach areas with poor internet facility to be able to communicate as it allows and stronger on 2 and 3 G network reception. Sallu has over 9 years of experience in youth engagement, inclusion, and coordination both at local and global levels, giving voice to young people and engaging young people to build a better world. He has served as coordinator for the Wave Alliance which brought together youth-led organisations who attended an international training in South Africa organized by the International Organization – Waves for Change. Sallu is working with the MLT, Waves For Change, and the Government to develop safe spaces for young people, with a view to contributing to the overall development goals of young people including health, as well as to community rebuilding. Sallu is currently the Programme Director for the Wave Alliance, which is a coalition of youth-led and community-based organisations that have successfully introduced evidence-based Surf Therapy programs to young people in communities, with a focus on mental health, peace building and sustainable development. Sallu is currently the focal point and face of Africa’s Faces Social media platform which is a global Social media platform that brings together people from across the world to share their moments, connect, share videos, and interact with friends giving more preference to excluded continents like Africa. Sallu Kamuskay has devoted his time to working for or contributing to a number of national and international organizations and companies, including the Techfrica Technology Company, United Nations, ECOWAS, European Union, Commonwealth Africa Initiatives. This work has led him to travel to a number of countries to contribute to global youth platforms. Sallu is the lead Coordinator for Peace Tour programme, an initiative supported by the European Union, Africa Union, ECOWAS focusing on uniting and empowering young people and local communities. Over the years, Sallu Kamuskay has been using his Techno phone to be able to tell stories, the phone he used to tell the story of Gbessay during Ebola who was admitted at one of the Ebola treatment centers after rumors that she had Ebola when the actual sickness was ulcer, she was almost abandoned at the treatment canter with no medication provided to her. She could have died. Sallu told the story via social media and was able to secure funding from the United Sierra Leone to buy her medication and advocated for her. She was later discharged and taken home, He did the same to a patient that died and was abandoned in the street, Sallu Kamuskay used his phone and shared the message across, the corps was later taken and buried. It could have been more disaster without his voice. The story of late America Stress 3-year-old daughter. The hero’s daughter was abandon after his father's death. He shared her sad story and was able to get a sister who has taken the child as her own and is currently providing her with educational support. The article of America Stress can be read on the link below http://ayvnewspaper.com/index.php/k2-categories/item/7350-america-stress-a-hero-to-recognize. Sallu Kamuskay feels the stories of Gbessay, America stress and that of many others need to be told. The media house we have cannot better tell these stories, they are better reporters than telling human interest stories. He created the Salone Messenger platform and brought together passionate storytellers to be able to tell these compelling stories.