Her mother once joked about sending her to Juba for dowry of 1000 cows after watching her struggling to make it into the challenging modelling industry which is hard to break into, especially for Black women; however, that is all in the past thanks to her focus, patience, a great team and family support.
Over a week ago, 18 year-old Ayak Veronica graced one of the most sought-after fashion gatherings, Paris Fashion Week, as she walked exclusively for Valentino SS19, alongside legendary supermodels Alek Wek and Naomi Campbell, in addition to Adut Aketch, Grace Bol, Mayowa, Ajak Deng, Shanelle Nyasaise to name a few.
Ayak, whose mother agency is Joram Model Management based in Uganda, recently signed to Marilyn Model Agency in Paris, and in just four days in France, she made her international debut at Paris Fashion Week walking for Valentino Haute Couture SS19.
Read more: Ugandan Models Rocking The International Fashion Scene
She was discovered by JMM at the age of 16 through the Ultimate Model search, and has since worked with local designers in Uganda before her big international break.
Her mom's remarks on dowry may be a joke but I'm glad her destiny turned out different hence she's not another statistic of arranged marriage. It is fascinating how the wheel of life moves; one day you're working so hard for a breakthrough while the future looks so gloomy, and before you know it, your destiny unfolds.
All the best, Ayak. Stay focused. You got this.
Photo Credit: Ayak Veronica /Instagram