Return of the beauty queen

By Erick Wamanji

The clocks on the creamy walls at Intercontinental Hotel strike 2pm, as I hastily squeeze myself past guests. It is now or never for an interview with the Paris-based model Agnes Amondyi Alando-Hoffer.

Finally, she comes with the characteristic model’s sway — her silvery outfit swashing and her frame trim and supple.

Alando, the girl who struts the fashion stage with chic and charm, is a rare blend of brain and beauty. She is a poet, writer, philanthropist and a scholar boasting a Master’s degree in Political Science.

She is retracing the footprints that spurred her phenomenal rise to the world of modelling and will be joined by other former beauties who will grace the African Heritage Night at Hotel Intercontinental tomorrow.

Paris-based model Agnes Alando will grace Sunday’s African Heritage Night.

She looks gorgeous in an Okene splendidly flowing down her well trimmed frame, and crowns it with an elaborate head gear — a Nigerian, hand-woven garment formerly worn by royalties only.

Diversity and richness

"I’m passionate about the African culture. It needs to be promoted and preserved because of its diversity and richness. In fact, I’m planning to travel to Kisumu to learn how to make flour using stone mills…" she says.

Standing at 5,9’ her presence is easily felt and the holidaymakers and business class stop to steal a glance. Others wave cheerily.

Having been in Paris for 12 years and married to a Frenchman Pierre Hoffer, it would be unimaginable that Alando would talk matters African. Yet her heart and soul is here.

In fact, she comes home every Christmas and sings in the All Saints Cathedral’s choir.

On family matters, they are yet to have a child but that is a project she looks forward to. But it is ICT development that also preoccupies her mind. She has presented several papers and research findings in universities.

"I chose politics because I learnt it regulates our lives. It was important for me to understand who gets power, how they get power, why they get power and how they use the same," she explains.

"It is time for African leaders to surf on the wave of the Obama effect," she continues. "They need to keenly observe Obama’s policies and apply them locally…by 2015 we need to beat poverty, reduce child-mortality rates…We need strong and creative leadership in Africa."

Modelling has taken her to world’s finest cities. She has brushed shoulders with creme de la crËme of Europe’s fashion industry.

"But I didn’t live large and lavish. I had principles and I stuck to them. I had people to assist in their education. Besides, my husband wouldn’t let me," she explains.

She has educated some of her relatives who now have good jobs.

She did her A-levels at Alliance Girls, then joined the University of Nairobi to study Political Science because she wanted "something new and challenging.’ While in Third Year she transferred to Paris. Eventually, she did her Master’s in International Politics from Sorbonne University. She also studied Spanish at the Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris.

She pens short essays on contemporary social economic issues at agalandon.newsvibe.com. She also writes political poems.

"I was influenced by Grace Ogot who was my godmother. First she sent me a book, Land Without Thunder, that was so transformative. Then, she went to Parliament and became an Assistant minister. She was an inspiration."

Determination and discipline

While at the University of Nairobi, she landed a job to sell discount cards — one of the many part-time jobs she did. Then she bumped on Jackie Nyagida, who encouraged her to participate in the African Heritage Night gala.

"I found Alan Donavan who took me in. Alan brought out the model in me," says the Paris-based consultant who speaks English and French.

In her hey days, she did TV commercials and appeared on magazine covers.

She says her favourite commercials were for Orbit Wrigley’s and Nivea. She also featured prominently in the Smirnoff International Fashion Show Awards.

In modelling, she reckons, cutthroat competition abounds and one needs determination, discipline and hard work.

"To me modelling was not all about money. There was gratification in the thrill. I said to myself, political science is good but it is too scholarly, balance that with something hilarious. I have the charm and the charisma, so I plunged into it. Even the camera flash is fulfilling to me," she says.

She met Hoffer in one of the African Heritage nights and cupid’s arrow hit its target. The relationship ran deeper when Hoffer persuaded her to choose a French university. The two wedded in 2000.

"Modelling is competitive but the youth should never be discouraged. However, sometimes it is a matter of being at the right place at the right time, to meet the right people in life who will discover and help you up the scales.

"But education is sacred. It doesn’t make any sense to be good looking on the world stage of fashion yet you have no education. My advice to young people, yes go for modelling, and yes, take your education seriously."