Meet Trailblazer Malaika Denis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Malaika Denis.

Malaika, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve always wanted to model since I was seven years old. I would watch Victoria Secrets angel show with my mom and dream of being an angel. By the time, I was thirteen, I wanted to take a step towards modeling, but living in San Antonio, Texas, there weren’t a lot of opportunities to get myself out there. I decided to start creating my own swimsuits and modeling in them for I figured designers can pick models if they aren’t signed to an agency, so why not get myself noticed through both avenues. By fourteen, I was very passionate about becoming a fashion designer and making a lot of money so I can go to third world countries such as Haiti (where my family is from) and help those in need. When I was seventeen, I created MSUPAFLY my brand for my clothing business which I kept to myself for I wasn’t very confident about releasing a clothing line and not knowing how to run a business properly. Going into college, I created more friendships which led me to unknown blessings that aided in my exposure. I continued to make clothes and model them and slowly but surely, I started to gain the momentum needed to get recognized. I started being followed by agencies, working with talented photographers and getting my name out there. This is just the beginning for me, in my heart, although the journey has been long when I reflect.

Has it been a smooth road?
The struggles I faced were my own insecurities and doubts about my talents and capabilities. Challenges we’re getting recognized for I did not live in a fashion capital that booked with the need of models let alone diversity was not huge when I started putting myself out there. I remember when I was fourteen, the first agency to follow my Instagram was Oui management and they are HUGE, I was visiting my cousins in Paris and decided to go to an open call for them. One of the agents recognized me, however, because of my permanent location, being in Texas, I was too young to move to Paris, and my height wasn’t what they wanted, I was turned down. Now, the industry has evolved where girls my height 5’4-5’6 are being considered and making it big as print models which is amazing, and the industry is looking to bring more black beauty into the business which aids in representation which years ago, it lacked.

We’d love to hear more about MSUPAFLY.
I create clothes, the majority of the clothes I wear are either thrifted or created by me. Anywhere from dresses, shirts, pants, to my very own bathing suits. I’m very proud of my suits for those were the first creations I made when I first started out. The purpose they served was to make me feel confident in my disproportional body (small chest, thin waist, big hips) it was hard finding matching sets with a small top and large bottom. So, I decided to create them instead and I never looked back to buying swimsuits (unless I was shopping on impulse).

Which women have inspired you in your life?
My mom has always been a fashion icon to me, she is also strong and independent and I gravitate towards those traits for clear reasons. Grace Jones, Iman, Naomi Campbell, powerful black supermodels who also embodied exotic beauty in which went against the praises European beauty standard and were also independent and self-aware. It’s empowering to see powerful black women who know their worth and own it.

Contact Info:

• Website: MSUPAFLY.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/malaikadernee
• Twitter: Twitter.com/imanidernee

Image Credit:
Rene Marchelle, Daniel Lopez, Danielle Salazar

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