Waris Dirie: Destined to be famous
In 1987, Waris Dirie had her picture taken for the first time, after striking her first pose it was clear she belonged in front of the lens.
In 1987, an unknown 18 year-old Somalian model called Waris Dirie, walked into the studio of renowned British photographer Terence Donovan.
She had never had her picture taken before but after striking her first pose it was clear belonged in front of the lens.
Although she says modelling was βeasy-peasyβ it was not an obvious career path for Waris.
She was born in the Somalian desert to a nomadic family.
When she was young she was forced to undergo female genital mutilation after which her family arranged a marriage for her.
Waris tells Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty how she walked barefoot across the Somalian desert to escape child marriage and how she became an international supermodel sensation.
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(Photo: Waris Dirie. Credit: Waris Dirie)
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