Phoebe Kemi: Između dve kulture, lepote i unutrašnje snage

Rođena u Nigeriji, a odrasla u Americi, Phoebe Kemi je izgradila jedinstven pogled na svet kroz spoj različitih kultura, iskustava i vrednosti. Njena priča prevazilazi granice mode i lepote, to je priča o identitetu, ličnom razvoju, unutrašnjoj snazi i želji da inspiriše druge da pronađu svoj puni potencijal.

Kao model, licencirani broker za životno osiguranje, autorka i buduća osnivačica holističke wellness zajednice, ona svoj rad temelji na ideji da prava transformacija počinje iznutra. U razgovoru govori o odrastanju između dve kulture, značaju porekla, lepoti kao odgovornosti, duhovnosti koja je oblikovala njen put, kao i viziji budućnosti u kojoj se spajaju zdravlje, zajednica i svesno življenje.

Odrastanje u Americi nakon rođenja u Nigeriji verovatno je oblikovalo vaš pogled na svet na jedinstven način. Kako vaše kulturno poreklo utiče na vaš pristup životu i poruku koju šaljete mladim ženama širom sveta?

Rođenje u Nigeriji i odrastanje u Americi pružilo mi je dva potpuno različita pogleda kroz koja posmatram svet. U početku mi je bilo teško da budem prihvaćena u bilo kom od ta dva sveta — posebno zato što sam mešovitog porekla. Zbog toga sam u osnovnoj školi doživela mnogo vršnjačkog nasilja. Danas verujem da me je život između dve kulture učinio pažljivijom, svesnijom i promišljenijom u vezi sa tim ko sam i kako razmišljam.

Moja poruka mladim ženama širom sveta jeste da razumeju vrednost svog porekla, ali da nikada ne dozvole da ih ono ograniči u pogledu onoga što mogu postići. Identitet nije nešto što treba umanjiti ili razvodniti kako biste se uklopili u određeni prostor — često je upravo ono što vas čini nezaboravnim. Verujem u to da kroz život treba koračati sa samopouzdanjem i radoznalošću. Svi smo posebni na svoj način i na nama je da odlučimo šta zaista želimo od ovog života.

Imate licencu za osiguranje, kao i brojne druge poslovne poduhvate i interesovanja. Pored modelinga, šta vas pokreće u preduzetničkom duhu i kako ti projekti odražavaju vašu širu viziju života i budućnosti?

Licencirani sam broker za životno osiguranje od 2021. godine, profesija koja me je najpre naučila vrednosti pomaganja ljudima da stvore sigurnost i samopouzdanje u svoju budućnost. Pored toga, nedavno sam napisala elektronsku knjigu o modelingu, inspirisanu sopstvenim iskustvima u industriji i željom da budućim modelima pružim smernice koje sam nekada sama tražila.

Iako su ti poduhvati važni za mene, moja najveća strast oduvek je bila lična transformacija i dobrobit. Dugo me fascinira povezanost između načina razmišljanja, wellnessa i ličnog razvoja, a jedno od mojih omiljenih interesovanja jeste kreiranje personalizovanih wellness rutina za ljude koji žele više jasnoće i ravnoteže u svom životu.

Pošto sam i sama prolazila kroz periode kada bi mi mentorstvo i usmerenje mnogo značili, osećam duboku povezanost sa željom da pomognem drugima da otkriju svoj potencijal i samouverenije zakorače u život koji zamišljaju za sebe. Ista filozofija se proteže i na moj filantropski rad. Posebno me inspirišu inicijative koje osnažuju mlade žene. Nedavno sam, tokom boravka u Monaku, imala čast da doprinesem radu fondacije Global Gift Foundation, iskustvu koje je dodatno učvrstilo moju posvećenost podršci ciljevima koji stvaraju značajne promene.

Moj najambiciozniji projekat, koji je trenutno u ranoj fazi razvoja, jeste stvaranje privatnog holističkog i duhovnog kluba za članove. Zamišljen je kao prostor u kojem se wellness, samospoznaja i zajednica spajaju, okupljajući ljude koji su posvećeni svesnom životu i rastu u svakom aspektu svog postojanja — fizičkom i duhovnom.

U osnovi, svaki poduhvat kojim se bavim ima istu svrhu: pomoći ljudima da spoznaju svoj potencijal. Bilo kroz biznis, wellness, filantropiju ili izgradnju zajednice, vodi me verovanje da, kada ljudi dobiju prave smernice i prilike, mogu kreirati izuzetne živote za sebe i ljude oko sebe.

Kako definišete eleganciju u svom životu?

Elegancija za mene nije predstava. Ona je vaše prisustvo. To je tiho ovladavanje sopstvenim unutrašnjim i spoljašnjim svetom.

U mom životu, elegancija se pronalazi u prefinjenosti duha jednako kao i u prefinjenosti ukusa. Ona znači birati dubinu umesto preterivanja, kvalitet umesto buke i gracioznost umesto impulsivne reakcije.

Moja sposobnost da ostanem pribrana dok istovremeno duboko osećam — to je za mene elegancija. Moji wellness rituali su elegancija. Moja sloboda je elegancija…

Kako wellness i duhovnost oblikuju ženu koja postajete?

Wellness i duhovnost duboko su oblikovali ženu koja postajem. Moja povezanost sa oba potiče iz mog joruba porekla i načina na koji sam odgajana. Moja majka, koja je i sama kreativna osoba, uvek me je podsticala da isprobavam nova iskustva. Moj otac je došao u Sjedinjene Američke Države iz Nigerije kao sveštenik, tako da su vera i duhovna utemeljenost oduvek bile deo mog života.

Naučili su me da se kroz život krećem sa većom svesnošću, a kroz različita iskustva naučila sam kako da negujem i živim taj osećaj unutrašnjeg mira. To je nešto na čemu sam svesno radila tokom vremena i danas se prirodno odražava u načinu na koji živim. Moj svet može da se ruši, ali spolja i dalje sijam. I svake večeri naglas izgovaram sve stvari na kojima sam zahvalna.

Ova osnova je ono što inspiriše početne faze mog privatnog wellness projekta. On je ukorenjen u tradicionalnim joruba praksama, ali sagledan kroz perspektivu međunarodnog modela — kroz zajednicu, tihi luksuz, somatsku disciplinu, fizičko isceljenje i duhovno usklađivanje.

Kako je vaše vreme na Parsons School of Design oblikovalo vaš estetski izraz? Šta inspiriše vaš osećaj za lepotu — umetnost, muzika, priroda ili nešto intuitivnije?

Pohađanje Parsons School of Design omogućilo mi je da istražim mnoge različite stilove i tehnike. Otvorilo mi je oči za to koliko je sve u životu duboko i slojevito.

Inspirišu me mnoge stvari. Volim posuđe i predmete za sto. Waterford Crystal i Blue Willow su moji favoriti. Volim muziku i umetnost. Uživam u likovnoj umetnosti i pronalazim inspiraciju u umetnicima poput Basquiata, Bamba Sibiye i Li Hei Di. Muzika takođe ima veliku ulogu u načinu na koji doživljavam svet.

Imam veoma raznovrstan ukus i mogu preći od Fela Kutija, Britney Spears i Sade, do Zinoleeskyja, Bécanea, Odumodublvcka, a završiti uz Čajkovskog. Moje plej-liste su jedinstvene, baš kao i moj stil. Mogu da preuzmem različite ličnosti.

Moji omiljeni trenuci su oni kada nisam posmatrana — pored vode, u prirodi, dok slušam muziku, možda uz čašu Edmond Vatan Sancerre vina i svoj dnevnik. Ti trenuci su mi najveća inspiracija.

Da li verujete da lepota nosi odgovornost koja prevazilazi estetiku?

Apsolutno! Lepota je moć. Lepota utiče na najmoćnija bića i oblikuje mase. Odgovornost koja dolazi sa tim uticajem je od ključne važnosti. Transparentnost je najvažnija.

Kada bolje razmislimo, svi težimo lepoti u različitim oblastima života. Svako ima drugačiju definiciju lepote, ali na kraju svi želimo da budemo okruženi onim što nam donosi osećaj prijatnosti i sklada.

Važno je stvarati prostor za lepe energije i pažljivo ga oblikovati. Verujem da poruke koje dolaze iz lepe duše imaju nameru i da ih treba tako i prihvatiti.

Vaše prisustvo deluje istovremeno otvoreno, ali i pažljivo zaštićeno, što je retka ravnoteža u svetu opsednutom vidljivošću. Kako odlučujete šta ostaje privatno, a šta delite sa javnošću?

Oduvek sam po prirodi i iskustvu bila privatna osoba. Nije sve namenjeno deljenju. Privatnost je luksuz u kojem zaista uživam.

Ljudi mi često poveravaju stvari koje ne dele olako sa drugima. Ponosna sam na svoju diskreciju i lojalnost. Moje odrastanje nije bilo konvencionalno i oblikovalo me je u osobu koja kroz život korača sa ljubavlju, ali i oprezom. Rano sam naučila da je znanje valuta i da svako ima svoju priču.

Kada ste deo mog sveta, možete verovati da sam nepokolebljiva. Ali ako se to poverenje naruši, ono se više nikada ne vraća u istom obliku… Ne vezujem se za ljude. Vezujem se za poštovanje.

Privatnost, lojalnost i poštovanje su luksuzi koje nikada ne treba uzimati zdravo za gotovo — pravi luksuzi života. Verujem da sve što radim treba da delim sa namerom, ali da ono što zaslužuje zaštitu treba ostati sveto.

Da li vas više inspiriše bezvremenska lepota ili moderna reinvencija?

Oduvek sam verovala da su prava lepota i stil bezvremenski. Trendovi dolaze i prolaze, ali elegancija ostavlja trag. Postoji nešto posebno u klasičnim stilovima — oni ostaju relevantni kroz generacije i kulture.

Ipak, verujem da je važno ostati povezan sa sadašnjim trenutkom. Ako ste previše udaljeni od sveta, postaje teže povezati se sa ljudima i izgraditi iskren odnos sa publikom.

Moj stil odražava obe perspektive. Utemeljen je u klasičnoj lepoti i bezvremenskim vrednostima, ali volim da uključim elemente moderne reinvencije. Za mene najzanimljiviji stil nije izbor između prošlosti i sadašnjosti — već njihovo spajanje na način koji je autentičan i svoj.

Kada stanete pred kameru, da li imate osećaj da postajete neko novi ili otkrivate nešto što je već bilo u vama?

Ne. Pred kamerom ne postajem neko drugi. Samo primećujem šta jeste, a šta nije uhvaćeno objektivom.

Moje oči uvek pričaju priču i verujem da otkrivaju deo mene i intenzivan život koji sam proživela u jednom kratkom trenutku. U stvarnom životu postoje pokret, toplina i prisustvo koje se ne mogu u potpunosti preneti kroz jednu fotografiju.

Zato to nije transformacija, već prevođenje mene u nešto što je samo po sebi ograničeno. Kamera može da zabeleži sliku, ali najznačajniji delovi jedne osobe uvek ostaju tik izvan kadra.

English here:

Growing up in America after being born in Nigeria has likely shaped your perspective in unique ways. How do you think your cultural background influences your approach to life and your message to young woman around the world?

Being born in Nigeria and growing up in America gave me two very different lenses through which I see the world. At first, it was difficult to be accepted by either – especially being mixed race. I endured a lot of bullying in primary school because of this. I believe now, living between the two identities has made me more observant and intentional about who I am and how I think.

My message to young women around the world is to understand the value of where you come from without allowing it to limit where you can go… Identity is not something to dilute to fit into a room — it’s often the very thing that makes you memorable. I believe in moving through life with confidence and curiosity. We are all special in our own way and it’s up to you to decide what you truly want out of this life.

You have your insurance license, along with a number of other business ventures and interests. Beyond modeling, what motivates your entrepreneurial spirit, and how do these pursuits reflect your broader vision for your life and future?

I’ve been a licensed life insurance broker since 2021, a profession that first taught me the value of helping people create security and confidence in their future. Beyond that, I recently authored an e-book on modeling, inspired by my own experiences navigating the industry and a desire to offer aspiring models the guidance I once searched for myself.

While those ventures are important to me, my greatest passion has always been personal transformation and well-being. I’ve long been fascinated by the connection between mindset, wellness, and growth, and one of my favorite pursuits is designing personalized wellness routines for individuals seeking greater clarity and wellness in their lives.

Having experienced periods in my own journey where mentorship and direction would have made a difference, I feel deeply connected to helping others uncover their potential and step more confidently into the lives they envision for themselves. That same philosophy extends into my philanthropic work. I have a particular passion for supporting initiatives that empower young women. Most recently, while in Monaco, I was honored to contribute to the work of Global Gift Foundation, an experience that further strengthened my commitment to supporting causes that create meaningful change.

My most ambitious project, currently in its early stages, is the creation of a private holistic and spiritual members’ club. It is designed to be a space where wellness, self-discovery, and community come together, bringing together people who are passionate about living intentionally and growing in every area of their life physically and spiritually.

At its core, every venture I pursue is rooted in the same purpose: helping people realize their potential. Whether through business, wellness, philanthropy, or community-building, I am driven by the belief that when people are given the right guidance and opportunities, they can create remarkable lives for themselves and those around them.

How do you define elegance in your own life?

Elegance, to me, is not a performance. It’s your presence. It is the quiet mastery of one’s inner and outer world. In my life, elegance is found in refinement of spirit as much as refinement of taste. It’s choosing depth over excess, quality over noise, and grace over reaction. My ability to remain composed while still feeling deeply is elegance to me. My wellness rituals are elegance. My freedom is elegance…

How do wellness and spirituality shape the woman you are becoming?

Wellness and spirituality have deeply shaped the woman I am becoming. My connection to both is rooted in my Yoruba heritage and my upbringing. My mother, a creative herself, was always pushing me to try new experiences.

My father came to The States from Nigeria, as a priest, so faith and spiritual grounding have always been apart of my world.

They’ve taught me to move through life with more awareness, and through life’s experiences I’ve learned how to cultivate and embody that sense of stillness. It’s something I’ve consciously worked toward over time, and it now feels like the way I naturally move through life. My world could be crashing down, but on the outside, I am glowing. And every night I will still list aloud all the things I am grateful for.

This foundation is also what is inspiring the initial stages of my private wellness corporation. It is rooted in traditional Yoruba practices and seen through an international model’s lens of community, quiet luxury, somatic discipline, physical healing, and spiritual alignment.

How did your time at Parsons School of Design shape your aesthetic? What inspires your sense of beauty—art, music, nature, or something more intuitive?

Attending Parsons allowed me to sample many distinctive styles and techniques. It opened my eyes to how deep everything in life truly is. I am inspired by so many things. I love tableware. Waterford Crystal and Blue Willow are my favorites. I love music and art as well. I enjoy fine art and take inspiration from artists such as Basquiat, Bambo Sibiya or Li Hei Di. Music also plays a key role in how I respond too…

I have a diverse taste and can go from Fela Kuti, Brittany Spears, Sade, to Zinoleesky, Bécane, Odumodublvck and end with Tchaikovsky. My playlists are unique like my style. I can take on many personalities. My favorite moments are unobserved, by the water, in nature listening to music maybe with a glass of Edmond Vatan Sancerre and my journal! These moments are most inspiring.

Do you believe beauty carries a responsibility beyond aesthetics?

Absolutely! Beauty is power. Beauty manipulates the most powerful of beings and it influences the masses. Responsibility of this influence is crucial. Transparency is key. If you really think about it, we strive for beauty in all areas of our life. Everyone’s definition of beauty is different, but at the end of the day we all want to be surrounded by what feels lovely to us. Holding space for beautiful energies is important and should be thoughtfully curated. I believe messages from a beautiful soul are intentional and should be taken as such.

Your presence feels both open and carefully guarded, which is a rare balance in today’s visibility driven world. How do you decide what remains private, and what you choose to share with the public eye?

I’ve always been a private person by nature and experience. Not everything is meant to be shared. Privacy is a luxury I truly indulge in.

People often entrust me with things they do not share lightly. I take pride in privacy and loyalty. My upbringing wasn’t conventional, and it shaped me into someone who moves through life with both love and caution. I learned early that knowledge is currency and that everyone has a story.

When you are within my world, you can trust that I’m unwavering. But if that trust is broken, it doesn’t return in the same form… I don’t hold onto people. I hold onto respect. Privacy, loyalty, and respect are luxuries we should never take for granted… life’s true luxuries. Overall, I believe to share everything I do with intention but keep sacred what deserves protection.

Are you inspired more by timeless beauty or modern reinvention?

I’ve always believed that true beauty and style are timeless. Trends come and go, but elegance imprints. There is something special about classic styles…it feels relevant across generations and cultures.

That said, I also believe it’s important to stay connected to the present. If you’re too far removed from the world, it becomes harder to relate to people and build a genuine connection with your audience.

My style reflects both perspectives. It’s grounded in classic beauty and timeless values, but I enjoy incorporating elements of modern reinvention. To me, the most interesting style isn’t about choosing between the past and the present. It’s about blending both in a way that feels authentic and your own.

When you step before the camera, do you feel you are becoming someone new or revealing something already within you?

No. Before the camera, I don’t become someone new. I simply notice what is and isn’t captured. My eyes always tell a story, so I do believe they reveal apart of me and the intense life I have lived in a fleeting period. In person, there is movement, warmth, and a presence that can’t be fully translated into a still frame though. So, its’s less of a transformation, and more of me translating into something inherently limited. The camera may capture an image, but the most meaningful parts of a person are always left just beyond the frame.

Team Credits

Model – Phoebe Kemi @phoebekemi
Photographer – Jason Douglas @jasondouglasstudios
Production – Milan Webb
Hair – Makayla Gillard @senseofspyce
Makeup – Nyala Chamberlain @lalasdreamland
Nails – Michelle Cedeno @its_michi_beauty
Stylist – Phoebe Kemi @phoebekemi
Location – (NYC) The St. Regis New York
Wellness Spa – @Kas_Aesthetics_Wellness