Cover girl Nichola Manners graced the cover of the August/September issue of Black Beauty & Hair magazine. Here we catch up with the young model
Hi Nichola, congratulations on being our August/September cover girl. Could you please introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Nichola Manners. I am a professional model / entrepreneur.
What is your agency?
My current agencies are Body London and Face Management.
Why did you want to become a model and how did you start your modelling career?
I wanted to become a model because I am a creative soul. I love meeting and working with new interesting creative people and have always been told by people that I should try modelling. I came second in the Miss Black Yorkshire beauty pageant around 10 years ago and was awarded the Miss Photogenic Award and through that I had some experience in front of the camera. I then tried some modelling for my friend’s online clothing boutique and really enjoyed it. One photoshoot led to another and then around 18 months ago I decided I wanted to take my modelling career seriously.
Is this your first magazine cover?
Black Beauty & Hair magazine is my first front cover and I am so honoured that I was chosen to be your cover girl.
Where else might we have seen you?
You may have seen me recently on Royal Mail’s parcel collection leaflets. I believe these have been posted to every home in the UK. I have also done work for Sports Direct and House Of Fraser for brands such as USA Pro, Karrimor and BIBA.
I have also done beauty campaigns for Ciaté London, Kryolan, MaxFactor and ESPA skin care. I have also done TV commercials for Matalan, Smyths Toys, Grants Whisky and more.
You also dance, what is your dance style?
I always say dancing is life. My mum and dad got me into contemporary dancing at a very young age and I’m so grateful for this. I believe dancing has given me body confidence and also helped me massively with modelling as when you’re comfortable with your body that shows in front of the camera. I spent most of my teenage years street dancing and now I dance mainly salsa.
I started salsa dancing around three or four years ago and it brings me so much joy. I love partner work but also love dancing with my girls. Prior to lockdown we performed at the Yorkshire Salsa Congress which was an amazing experience. Dancing is the best exercise (in my opinion) because you have so much fun it doesn’t feel like you’re working out.
What’s been the highlight of your career so far?
The highlight of my career so far is of course having my face on the cover of Black Beauty & Hair magazine. This is such a honour and I’m so grateful. This is my first cover and I feel so blessed to have achieved this. I want to say a big thank you to Mielle Organics UK and Black Beauty & Hair magazine for making this happen.
What do you do in your down time?
I have very few days off as I spend a lot of my time working on my other projects. On my days off I love to spend time with my family. I love spending time at home reading books and outdoor walks in nature.
Any advice for aspiring cover girls?
Advice for an aspiring cover girl would be always believe in yourself. People will try to project their fears onto you and tell you all of the reasons it’s not possible or realistic. Don’t listen to them. God has a plan for everyone. Work extremely hard on your inner self.
Learn to be compassionate with yourself and learn to love yourself exactly as you are. Confidence comes from knowing yourself, accepting yourself flaws and all, knowing and sticking to what you stand for as a person and purposefully trying to have a positive impact on everyone you meet. Beauty is skin deep. Get the inside right and this will shine through.
Meet more cover girls…
