Bazaar Belief: Ameni Esseibi On Her Biggest Sense Of Achievement And Breaking Beauty Barriers
The Tunisian model shares her key life lessons, defining career moment, and what she’s most proud of…
Known as the first curvy model to come out of the Middle East, Ameni has made a name for herself as a vocal advocate for inclusivity in fashion. She has starred in campaigns for Jean Paul Gaultier, walked in couture presentations in Paris and countless ready-to wear shows around the world. She is also a global ambassador for Dubai Fashion Week and the Arab Fashion Council
Harper’s Bazaar Arabia (HBA): What part of your work are you most proud of?
Ameni Esseibi (AE): Breaking stereotypes and helping women to feel more confident, to help teach them how to deal with their insecurities. I feel it’s important in today’s world to make sure that the fashion industry, and especially modelling, look realistic. Also representing Tunisia worldwide and showing that Tunisian woman are the strongest Arab women (by laws and women rights). Overall, I’m just proud to be able to use my voice to help women express their pain when they are not able to speak for themselves.
HBA: The key to success is…
AE: Believing in yourself, knowing that the impossible is possible. Everyone told me that my dreams were impossible. That a Muslim North African girl who doesn’t come from wealth wouldn’t be able to make her dreams come true. Suffering, pain and sacrifices are part of success. Once you accept that fact, it becomes easier.
HBA: The future is…
AE: What you dream of.
HBA: Biggest sense of achievement?
AE: Being able to accept my insecurities and learn to overcome them. And getting to a place where I have a peaceful mindset, having done the work to find serenity after past traumas in my life.
HBA: What key lessons have you learnt and who taught them to you?
AE: Never trust anyone. People don’t care. They are either curious or bored. No one will fight for your dreams the way you will fight for them. Don’t be naïve, be diplomatic and learn how to react to situations – life taught me that.
HBA: The motto you live your life by?
AE: The impossible is possible. My dad always said that to me as a young kid. Don’t let anyone drag you down. You need to love and respect yourself if you want the world to love and respect you.
HBA: Describe yourself in three words…
AE: Loyal. Generous. Honest.
HBA: What would you tell your younger self?
AE: Trust the process, you got this buddy… you’ll survive.
HBA: Can we have it all (and what does that mean)?
AE: I don’t think you can, because that’s not reality. I think the most important things are health and love. You need to have good health to function, and you need have love in your life to thrive.
HBA: Defining career moment?
AE: Landing the Jean Paul Gaultier campaign in Ischia and Paris. As well as becoming the ambassador for Dubai Fashion Week and the Arab Fashion Council. But also using my career to become a voice for the voiceless women in the Middle East and North Africa and helping women who struggle with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and bullying both in school and online.
HBA: What life-defining moment changed the way you think about everything?
AE: Getting bullied for several years in school and my mum’s battle with cancer. Both these things forced me to become mature and strong at a young age. It’s a time of my life that I don’t really like talking about.
Compiled by Jessica Michault.
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s March 2023 issue.