Today we’d like to introduce you to Adedoyin (Doyin) Abidoye.
Hi Adedoyin (Doyin), we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always had a passion for fashion and modeling. Like most girls I grew up watching ANTM and was so encapsulated by everything they did. I knew immediately that is what I wanted to do and the most authentic way I could express myself. I began modeling right after I graduated high school, initially I started out trying to do pageantry but I kept getting told I wasn’t “soft enough” or that I need to “tone down” my attitude and fierceness. My pageant coach suggested I try runway modeling and recommended DCFW. The rest was history, I immediately hit the ground running with modeling I auditioned for DCFW and began doing photoshoots with any photographer willing to work with me. Early on I only knew of runway and print modeling, so I connected with many small independent designers to model their collections. I didn’t know the fashion world consisted of so many moving parts so at the beginning of my career I would style, creative direct, and pose myself. I did my own hair and makeup. Not knowing I was preparing myself for what I would do later on. I would work with different photographers in studio, outside, monuments, basements, tunnels, anywhere I could find to bring my outfit and vision to life. This intro groundwork allowed me to get my print work published in various magazines. As time went on I definitely learned a lot about the industry and the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. I had to get comfortable with hearing “No” more often than you’d think. But as I learned I began to adjust and improve in the areas I lacked or wasn’t knowledgeable in. I also kept God close, praying for opportunities that aligned with me and the goals I had for myself. That eventually led me to get signed to my first mother agency in 2021. During my time with my mother agency I gained an immense amount of respect, appreciation, and gratitude for my former agent. She saw things in me as a model, stylist, and overall person that I didn’t see in myself. I feel like I was a seedling and after being apart of the agency I bloomed into a gorgeous flower. I had the pleasure of being apart of numerous amazing opportunities, networking, working with brands, working with artists, connecting with other models and creatives, and walking various fashion shows. During that time I was also able to explore other avenues in the industry aside from modeling. I always loved fashion and I got to explore fashion styling, creative direction and pose coaching more, assisting other agency models and even going on to do my own passion projects. Today I am able to list a full resume with 6-7 years of professional experience. I’ve been blessed to not only call myself a model, but also a stylist, creative director, pose coach, and content creator.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I personally didn’t have a smooth road navigating the fashion industry. I learned you have to be open to networking, be able to sell yourself and know what your area of expertise is. I am a sociable person but talking to strangers at events was sometimes overwhelming. I had to get comfortable with starting conversations, engaging the other person’s interests, while plugging my interests and expertise. I had to learn what type of questions to ask that would lead to a mutual beneficial connection and possible working relationship.
I struggled with my esteem and versatility throughout my career. As a model you definitely have to learn to take rejection, there are jobs or castings that you may go for and they say no. You may not fit the designer vision, the brand aesthetic or have the look they want. Sometimes they may not even tell you why. There were periods where I received constant rejection and it was difficult to not take it personally. I would question if this was something that was meant for me. I had to remind myself of what the end goal was for me. I am passionate about my craft and success looks different when you enjoy what you’re doing. I enjoy the creativity and imagination in fashion and modeling.
Another challenge I faced was accessibility, in terms of the investment you make in yourself as a model in order to receive bigger opportunities. I wasn’t always in a position to hire the best professional photographers/videographers, makeup artists, hair stylists, or designers/stylists for my shoots. Which is where networking comes into play, being able to collaborate on a concept with all those individuals that help the full vision come to life. As I gained more experience I knew that it was necessary to invest in quality work over quantity in work. If I wanted the bigger opportunities I would have to spend my own money in order to work with a good team, travel to cities like NYC and Miami for castings, and put my best effort into the content I put out.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I wear a lot of hats, but overall I specialize in fashion and beauty as a model. I also am known as a fashion stylist, creative director, and pose coach. I am most proud of my resilience and determination. Modeling will always be fun to me but when I actually became serious about it and began treating it like an actual job I was able to reap way more benefits for the work I put in. I was patient and willing to grow, I saw rejection as redirection. Whenever I got discouraged I would hold dear that it just wasn’t my time yet. Opportunities that I was turned away from in the past still ended up coming to fruition for me at a later time, my time. I think what sets me apart from others is my infectious confidence and energy. I had to build up my self esteem and truly trust myself and my abilities. So when I am around other models I definitely pour that positive feedback onto others. The better you feel, the better you look.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I would say the most important lesson is to persevere and fully embrace who you are and what you can do. Not everything is meant for everyone and that’s okay. When you are authentic to yourself every thing meant for you will align as it’s supposed to. When I was unsure of what my niche was and what I wanted to do, I found myself stagnant or doing unfulfilling work. When I remained true to the work that brought me joy, even when the support and results weren’t immediate they eventually came. And when they came I knew I was capable because it was things I was already doing or laying the foundation to do.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doyinn__/
Image Credits
Photographers: Christain Mercado, Corrin Johnson, Nyjil Gulley, Bradley Adjei
Models: Doyin Abidoye, Zaria Edmonds, Danielle Smith, Tiona Lawson, Khadija Sparrow
Magazine: MAC Magazine
