Today we’d like to introduce you to Nekesha (Nikki) Batchoukou.
Hi Nekesha (Nikki) , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hi I’m Nekesha but my friends call me Nikki! As a child I always had my nose in a fashion magazine or watching NYFW runway shows. I was bullied as a kid which caused my personality to shrink.
My parents noticed my love for runway shows and thought since I had the physical attributes of a model, why not enroll her in modeling school so she can gain confidence.
I learned how to walk, style myself and do my own makeup from Barbizon modeling and acting classes here in Houston. I then wanted to book modeling work so I submitted photos to Page Parkes modeling agency…was accepted and began modeling locally.
After graduating high school at 17, I attended the University of Houston downtown, (for marketing). The summer before my junior year in 2002 my family and I traveled to New York City and during this trip I would try one last time to secure representation with a top agency.
Since the age of 13, I continually made attempts to get signed with a NYC modeling agency, to no avail.
As I started my junior year, I decided to try one last time to sign with a New York modeling agency. From a list of 20 agencies, only the last one (IKON) offered me a contract. I moved to NYC permanently and the rest is history. I have just recently come back to Texas.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the main struggles of the modeling industry is the inconsistent income.
Because sometimes you wait months to be paid, I got a job as a part-time Dress Specialist for BCBG Max Azria at Bloomingdales 59th street.
I worked part-time continually for many years. They would allow me to travel for modeling and then come back to work.
The industry remains especially difficult for black women, who are often paid less than models perceived as racially ambiguous.
I booked work in NYC between runway shows, showroom work, commercials, editorials, various print work, hair and bridal shows. I made most of my money from working in-house as a showroom model for Catherine Malandrino (French designer) and various designers.
As I approached my 2nd year in NY I was presented with the opportunity to travel to South Africa for work. I bet on myself and stayed booked and busy for a good 3 years, the downside to that was staying on top of my visa and sometimes being treated less than on shoots compared to my white counterparts.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
The modeling industry taught me many transferable skills that have allowed me to become a UGC (user-generated content) creator for beauty, fashion, wellness and lifestyle brands.
A few of my dress clients at Bloomingdale’s 59th street encouraged me to get my certification in Image Consulting at the Fashion Institute of Technology (NYC ) in 2019.
This allowed me to learn the science behind why certain fits, colors and styles work for some and not others, so because of this I sometimes give my audience tips in the DM’s and through out my content.
I’m known for my fierce model walk and being a style creator who shares accessible fashion and beauty inspiration; grounded in personal style discovery and confidence building.
Confidence building is a daily tasks. I’ve seen first-hand how not believing and trusting yourself can cause low self-esteem, jealousy/envy and comparison amongst people and creators alike. You know the saying, “comparison is the theIf of joy.”
Confidence isn’t something you wake up with…it’s something you choose on purpose everyday.
I’m most proud of my husband Patrick of 20 years and my son Hayden. They make me proud everyday because they continuously strive for excellence. I also give myself a pat on the back for never being afraid to reinvent myself.
What sets me apart from others is my willingness to try new ways of doing things even if it bombs terribly.
I believe in failing forward in life. This is how we build confidence and learn what we’re good at — and what makes us genuinely happy.
You can see this in my content across all platforms. I love being creative and authentically doing what I like, not necessarily what the algorithm likes.
The versatility is what UGC clients respond to, they see a creator that can move across different content mediums for their brands. I never want to be boxed into just one.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to be proud of who God made me to be.
The constant humbling within the modeling industry and outside of it, taught me that people are going to judge you regardless, it doesn’t matter if you utter a word or not.
Let them think what they want and stay on your personal path to success for YOU!
Not for your family, not your friends and not because society says this is the way to live life. Everything you need is within in, you just have to filter through the noise.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stylebymenikkib?
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@stylebymenikkib_
- Other: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/stylebymenikkib?
