SELAMAWIT

MY ROOTS

Photo: Stephen Hudson

Selamawit Yirga Bekele, sometimes referred to as Selam is a gorgeous statuesque runway and photo model who has graced the pages of many magazines, billboards, and has walked in many fashion shows, including the famous New York Fashion Week, Miami Swim Week, LA Fashion Week, DC Fashion Week. Among her many accomplishments, she has also worked for designers as a brand Ambassador. In 2023, she won the SITA Model of the Year Award. She was once crowned Miss DMV. We will let her tell her own story.

We caught up with her for a brief chat.

My Upbringing?

''I was raised in a very religious family in Ethiopia, where I was taught to always be well mannered. My family plays a great role in my life and I am immensely grateful to them for the sacrifice they made for me. I cannot say enough about my parents.

My Height?

I am a tall model, 5'11 is tall enough right? (Smile). I now live in Virginia, here in the United States. I studied and graduated in the University with a degree in Literature. For those who may be curious, I am not related to Gelila Bekele even though she is one of my favorite Ethiopian models.

THE CAFE

Photo: Carla Taylor Photography

''Modeling was not one of my childhood dreams, I was very much interested in 'Journalism,' or becoming a 'TV Host', or even a 'Writer'....never 'Modeling'.

Then one fateful day, It all changed.

I was inside a café with some of my siblings, when this much older man came towards us and offered me a ticket for a fashion show that was about to happen in an hour. He said to me, ''please let me invite you, you may love it.'' I said 'No but thanks, I am just having a good time here''.

He just gave us the free tickets and said directly to me ''I did this just for you because once I saw you in the café, I knew instantly that you could be a successful model''.

I thanked him.

We eventually decided to attend the fashion show. When the fashion show ended, they gave us a flyer about a beauty contest whose purpose was to select a Green Ambassador, that one caught my attention and inspired me to participate in it, which of course I did and I won.

I was suddenly “ Miss Green Hawassa. “ After I got my crown, I became a Green Ambassador and started to work on environmental protection and waste management awareness for this project. I designed clothes from wasted materials and organized fashion shows- then let's just say I found my calling and a career.''

MODELLING

Photo: Richard Santa Cruz

"I decided to enroll in a modeling school and then my career in modeling started, I am still falling in love with modeling everyday.

Well, it’s been a few years since I started modeling,

I work on runways and also as a photo-model.

I have participated in Hub of Africa Fashion Show, African Mosques fashion show, New York Fashion week, LA Fashion Week, DC Fashion Week, DC Swim Week, Miami Swim Week and so many more others.

I have worked with different amazing designers as brand ambassador, I have had opportunities to work with Aida Muluneh, she is a very creative photographer.

I have been published in several magazines, such as Element, Copa Style, OSSMA, Flanelle, Fashion, Lorius , Mapenzi , Malvie , Mirage,VZSN, Nociva, Emmett, Fashion Avenue, and so many others."

ACTING-SOMEDAY

Photo: Carla Taylor Photography

"I love watching movies; I watch different kind of movies, If you asked me my favorite genre, I would say romantic movies. Yeah, I love acting and I have taken some training as well. I am waiting any offer from anyone. I love Nigerian movies they are very good, I would love to be in one so if they are looking for an Ethiopian Beauty, here I am."

"I want to become more involved with the fashion industry. I would love to be a true expert with success and experiences, to grow into the role of a supermodel. I want to use my beauty and my career for the greater good. I want to leave a positive change in the world. It is my plan to become a source of motivation for the younger generation.''

(Quote to Copa Magazine)

AVID READER

Photo: Stephen Hudson

''I love books, I started reading books from a very early age, I love fictions; I am a fan of William Shakespeare, Daniel Still, Victor Hugo, Plato and many others.

In Ethiopia, we have amazing writers for example, Fikre Markos Desta, Adis Alemayew, Sisay Nigusu and many others as well.

I believe that reading is very important. I would love to say, "thank you' to my amazing dad for showing me the right way, he would always say to me as a child, “reading and education makes you big, wise and strong.''

Model Shape?

To stay in shape, I watch what I eat. I am a healthy eater, I love spicy food, of course, less portions all the time. I am not a fan of sweets, or fast foods, and I exercise three times a week.''

AFRICA

Photo: redsoco

''What I wish people out there knew about Africa?

I want to tell the world that Africa is a very rich, big and beautiful continent. Africa is a display in diversity, so many languages, the largest wildlife immigration on earth, the source of the world's largest river. I am a very proud African woman.

Ethiopia?

I love Ethiopia. I love the culture, the people and I love all Ethiopian food. I am a very good cook, of course, I cook for my son- Christian; that is one of my favorite things to do, when I am at home.

Social Media

IG: @Selamawit_yirga

Facebook: Selamawit yirga

TikTok: selamawit97model