Malaika Firth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Malaika Firth
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Firth walking for Michael Kors Spring/Summer 2014 during New York Fashion Week
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| Born | 23 March 1994 Mombasa, Kenya
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| Nationality | British Kenyan |
| Children | 1 |
| Modeling information | |
| Height | 1.74 m (5 ft 8+1⁄2 in) |
| Hair color | Black |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Agency |
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Malaika Firth is a famous fashion model. She was born on March 23, 1994, in Kenya. Malaika became well-known in 2013. She was the first Black model in almost 20 years to be in a big advertising campaign for the fashion brand Prada.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Growing Up in London
Malaika Firth was born in Mombasa, Kenya. When she was seven years old, her family moved to Barking. This is a town in East London, England. Her family in Kenya belongs to the Giriama ethnic group.
Malaika's father, Eric, has roots from Britain, Seychelles, and Uganda. Her mother, Jecinta, is half-Kenyan and half-Swiss. Her father worked as a French polisher. This job involves making furniture shiny.
A New Life Through Modeling
Malaika has shared that her family did not come from a wealthy background. They lived in apartments in a tougher neighborhood. She said they were not poor, but they did not have a lot of money. She often shared a room with her sister and aunt.
She also mentioned struggling with money for school lunches. Getting a small allowance for education was a big deal for her. Malaika feels very thankful for everything that has happened. She believes her modeling career has changed her family's life for the better.
Finding Her Way
Malaika has lived in Kenya and New York. She says "Everywhere is home. I am like a gypsy!" She has not been back to Barking since her career took off. Her family has since moved back to Kenya.
She also shared that she was bullied a lot at school. People thought she was shy and boring. But now, she sees comments from people on social media. They talk about how well she is doing. She feels very grateful for her success.
Modeling Career Highlights
Starting Her Journey
Malaika's mother encouraged her to try modeling. This happened after they watched a TV show called "The Model Agency." The show was about a modeling company called Premier Model Management. Her mother called the agency and set up a meeting.
Malaika went to an open casting call. This is where many people try out for a job. She was signed by the agency right away. She began her modeling career when she was 17 years old.
Breaking Through in Fashion
Malaika soon started modeling all over the world. Her first runway show was at New York Fashion Week in 2012. She walked for a designer named Odilon. She gained a lot of attention in the fashion world in 2013. This was after she walked in the Prada menswear show.
She also starred in the Prada Fall 2013 advertising campaign. This campaign was very important. Malaika became the first Black model in 19 years to be in a Prada campaign. The last Black model to do so was Naomi Campbell in 1994.
Walking the Runways
Malaika had a big breakthrough during the Spring/Summer 2014 fashion weeks. She walked in more than 40 shows! These included famous designers like Jean Paul Gaultier, Bottega Veneta, Marc Jacobs, Kenzo, and Dolce & Gabbana.
In November 2013, she also made her debut in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. For the Spring/Summer 2014 campaign season, Malaika booked campaigns for Valentino, Burberry, and Prada again.
Life Outside Modeling
Malaika Firth currently lives in London. If she were not a model, she would have tried acting. She performed in several plays in local theaters in Barking when she was younger. Her grandmother runs a restaurant in Kenya.
See also
In Spanish: Malaika Firth para niños
