Je m’appelle Sifen Dinkesa
(ENGLISH)
AP:- Are you willing to participate in this interview and allow Addis Paris to promote you and your business?
Model :- Yes, I want Addis Paris to promote me.
AP:- Please introduce yourself. Where were you born, your age, family background, and a little about yourself.
Model :- My name is Sifen Dinkesa. I am a 27-year-old Ethiopian born and raised in Addis Ketema, Addis Ababa. I speak Amharic, English, and Oromifa. I am a fashion model, entrepreneur, event manager, talent agent, and modeling lecturer with several years of experience in the fashion and creative industries.
I come from a supportive family with an entrepreneurial background. Their encouragement inspired me to pursue education, leadership, and business development. They helped me build strong values such as hard work, responsibility, and determination.
My passion is empowering young talent, organizing impactful events, and contributing to the growth of Ethiopia’s fashion and creative industries.
AP:- Do you have any brothers or sisters? Are you the first-born, last-born, or middle child?
Model :- I have one sister, and I am the first-born child.
AP:- How was your childhood, and with whom did you spend most of your time?
Model :- I had a happy and supportive childhood. I spent most of my time with my family, who greatly influenced my values and character. As a child, I loved reading books and having meaningful conversations with my mother and sister. I was curious, active, and social, often attending community events.
These experiences helped me develop strong communication skills, self-confidence, and a passion for working with people, which continue to benefit me in my professional life today.
AP:- What were the names of your primary and secondary schools?
Model :-
- Winget, Addis Ababa
- Bashewam Primary and Secondary School
AP:- Did you attend university? If yes, what was your field of study?
Model :-
- Rift Valley University – Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Finance
- American College of Technology – Master of Business Administration (MBA)
AP:- Please share an unforgettable memory from your school life.
Model :- One of my most unforgettable school memories happened when I was in Grade 12. I was the only female member of the student committee responsible for organizing our monthly school festivals.
Our first major event was a Tie Day celebration. The committee focused so much on organizing the program, inviting artists, and handling logistics that we forgot about our own outfits. When the event started, students looked amazing, but everyone was too shy to dance.
Seeing this, I stepped onto the dance floor alone in front of more than 1,000 students. I was wearing only a hoodie and sweatpants while many others were dressed elegantly. Soon, other students joined me, and the event became a huge success.
After that day, teachers, students, and staff across the school knew me. The success of the event allowed us to organize many more activities, and the celebration even gained attention on social media.
This experience taught me confidence, leadership, and the importance of taking initiative. It remains one of my favorite school memories.
AP:- What is your favorite song or music genre?
Model :- My favorite song is Lenes Liyu Nesh Dingle Maryam (ለኔስ ልዩ ነሽ ድንግል ማርያም).
AP:- As a child, did you dream of becoming a model or fashion designer?
Model :- I dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. I have always been fascinated by fashion, creativity, and how clothing reflects personality.
Interestingly, I never planned to become a model. After finishing Grade 12, my mother enrolled me in a summer program at a modeling school. What started as a simple opportunity quickly became a passion. Through that experience, I discovered my love for modeling and developed confidence, discipline, and professional skills.
Today, I am proud to work as a model, but my childhood dream is still alive. I hope to become a successful fashion designer and launch my own fashion brand.
AP:- When and how did you decide to join the modeling and fashion industry?
Model :- It happened by coincidence, but I chose to continue because I developed a strong passion for the profession.
AP:- What type of modeling are you interested in, and what have you recently done?
Model :- I am mainly interested in photo modeling.
AP:- Are you a full-time model, designer, freelancer, or part-time model?
Model :- At this time, I work as a part-time model.
AP:- In which country did you first participate in modeling or start your business?
Model :- Ethiopia.
AP:- How was the feedback from people regarding your modeling career and business?
Model :- In the beginning, there were many misunderstandings about modeling, but attitudes are improving. Even in daily life, people often ask me if I am a professional model when they see me walking or in photographs.
AP:- Have you participated in any modeling competitions or beauty pageants?
Model :- Yes.
AP:- How many participants were involved, where was it held, and how did it end?
Model :- Several years ago, I participated in a pageant called International Model World Queen Ethiopia 2021. Contestants from many African countries took part. I do not remember the exact number of participants. The experience was positive, but I was unable to complete the competition due to personal reasons during the virtual voting stage.
AP:- Which international influencers, actors, or public figures do you admire?
Model :- I admire Liya Kebede and Oprah Winfrey.
AP:- Do you have any role models in your life?
Model :- Yes. My mother and myself are my role models.
AP:- Where do you see yourself in five years?
Model :- In five years, I see myself running my own creative agency in Addis Ababa that combines modeling training, event management, and talent casting under one brand.
I want to lead a professional team, organize large-scale fashion weeks and corporate expos, expand my online courses internationally, and become a recognized connector in Ethiopia’s fashion and entertainment industry.
I also hope to mentor young women entrepreneurs and launch a YouTube channel or podcast focused on the business side of fashion.
AP:- What makes your modeling, business, or creative work unique?
Model :- I am a model with a strong educational background who has also operated a modeling agency, managed fashion events, and worked as a talent agent. I understand both the artistic and business aspects of the industry, allowing me to deliver results, not just photographs.
AP:- Please share your social media accounts so clients and collaborators can contact you.
Model :-
Instagram: @Official_model_seefun
Facebook: Seefun May LL
AP:- Tell us about your experience in the city where you are giving this interview.
Model :- I have been building my career in Addis Ababa for several years. The city has a vibrant and growing fashion and creative industry full of talent, energy, and opportunity.
What makes Addis special is its potential. While it may not be as established as Paris or New York, it offers the opportunity to shape the industry, develop talent, and create professional standards. That is what excites me most about working here.
AP:- Final words. Is there anything you would like to say to our readers?
Model :- I have managed schools, organized events, cast talent for films and advertisements, and worked across both business and creative sectors. I enjoy bringing creativity and strategy together.
Give me a challenge, and I will deliver. Thank you.
AP:- On behalf of Addis Paris, thank you very much.
Model :- Thank you!
(FRANÇAIS)
AP :- Êtes-vous disposée à participer à cette interview et à permettre à Addis Paris de promouvoir votre activité et votre carrière ?
Modèle :- Oui, je souhaite qu’Addis Paris fasse ma promotion.
AP :- Veuillez vous présenter. Où êtes-vous née, quel âge avez-vous et pouvez-vous nous parler un peu de votre parcours familial ?
Modèle :- Je m’appelle Sifen Dinkesa. Je suis une Éthiopienne de 27 ans, née et élevée à Addis Ketema, Addis-Abeba. Je parle l’amharique, l’anglais et l’oromifa. Je suis mannequin, entrepreneure, gestionnaire d’événements, agente de talents et formatrice en mannequinat, avec plusieurs années d’expérience dans les industries de la mode et de la création.
Je viens d’une famille solidaire ayant une tradition entrepreneuriale. Leur soutien m’a encouragée à poursuivre mes études, à développer mes compétences en leadership et à évoluer dans le monde des affaires. Grâce à eux, j’ai acquis des valeurs fortes telles que le travail acharné, la responsabilité et la détermination.
Ma passion est de soutenir les jeunes talents, d’organiser des événements à fort impact et de contribuer au développement de l’industrie de la mode et de la création en Éthiopie.
AP :- Avez-vous des frères ou des sœurs ? Êtes-vous l’aînée, la cadette ou l’enfant du milieu ?
Modèle :- J’ai une sœur et je suis l’aînée de la famille.
AP :- Comment s’est passée votre enfance et avec qui passiez-vous le plus de temps ?
Modèle :- J’ai eu une enfance heureuse et entourée de soutien. Je passais la majeure partie de mon temps avec ma famille, qui a profondément influencé mes valeurs et mon caractère. J’aimais lire, discuter avec ma mère et ma sœur, participer à des activités communautaires et rencontrer de nouvelles personnes.
Ces expériences ont renforcé ma confiance en moi, mes compétences en communication et mon intérêt pour le travail avec les autres.
AP :- Quels étaient les noms de vos écoles primaire et secondaire ?
Modèle :-
- Winget, Addis-Abeba
- Bashewam Primary and Secondary School
AP :- Avez-vous fréquenté l’université ? Si oui, quel était votre domaine d’études ?
Modèle :-
- Rift Valley University – Licence en Comptabilité et Finance
- American College of Technology – MBA en Administration des Affaires
AP :- Pouvez-vous partager un souvenir inoubliable de votre vie scolaire ?
Modèle :- L’un de mes souvenirs les plus marquants remonte à ma dernière année de lycée. J’étais la seule fille du comité étudiant chargé d’organiser les festivals mensuels de l’école.
Lors de notre première grande célébration, appelée « Tie Day », les étudiants étaient magnifiques mais trop timides pour danser. J’ai alors décidé de monter seule sur la piste devant plus de 1 000 élèves. J’étais habillée simplement, mais cela ne m’a pas empêchée de montrer l’exemple.
Très vite, d’autres élèves m’ont rejointe et l’événement est devenu un immense succès. Cette expérience m’a appris la confiance en soi, le leadership et l’importance de prendre des initiatives.
AP :- Quelle est votre chanson préférée ou votre genre musical préféré ?
Modèle :- Ma chanson préférée est Lenes Liyu Nesh Dingle Maryam (ለኔስ ልዩ ነሽ ድንግል ማርያም).
AP :- Enfant, rêviez-vous de devenir mannequin ou créatrice de mode ?
Modèle :- Mon rêve était de devenir créatrice de mode. J’ai toujours aimé la mode, la créativité et la manière dont les vêtements reflètent la personnalité.
Curieusement, je n’avais jamais prévu de devenir mannequin. Après la fin de mes études secondaires, ma mère m’a inscrite dans une école de mannequinat. Cette expérience a changé ma vie et m’a permis de découvrir une véritable passion pour cette profession.
AP :- Quand et comment avez-vous décidé de rejoindre l’industrie de la mode ?
Modèle :- C’est arrivé par hasard, mais j’ai choisi de continuer parce que j’ai développé une véritable passion pour ce métier.
AP :- Quel type de mannequinat vous intéresse le plus ?
Modèle :- Je suis principalement intéressée par le mannequinat photo.
AP :- Êtes-vous mannequin à temps plein ou à temps partiel ?
Modèle :- Actuellement, je travaille comme mannequin à temps partiel.
AP :- Dans quel pays avez-vous commencé votre parcours dans le mannequinat ?
Modèle :- En Éthiopie.
AP :- Quels retours avez-vous reçus concernant votre carrière de mannequin ?
Modèle :- Au début, il existait beaucoup d’idées fausses sur le mannequinat, mais les mentalités évoluent. Aujourd’hui, de nombreuses personnes me demandent souvent si je suis mannequin professionnelle.
AP :- Avez-vous participé à des concours de beauté ou de mannequinat ?
Modèle :- Oui.
AP :- Pouvez-vous nous parler de cette expérience ?
Modèle :- J’ai participé à l’International Model World Queen Ethiopia 2021. Des candidates de plusieurs pays africains étaient présentes. Malheureusement, je n’ai pas pu terminer le concours pour des raisons personnelles lors de la phase de vote en ligne.
AP :- Quels influenceurs ou personnalités admirez-vous ?
Modèle :- J’admire Liya Kebede et Oprah Winfrey.
AP :- Avez-vous des modèles dans votre vie ?
Modèle :- Oui. Ma mère et moi-même sommes mes plus grandes inspirations.
AP :- Où vous voyez-vous dans cinq ans ?
Modèle :- Dans cinq ans, je me vois à la tête de ma propre agence créative à Addis-Abeba, combinant formation en mannequinat, gestion d’événements et recrutement de talents. Je souhaite également développer des programmes internationaux, accompagner les jeunes entrepreneures et créer une plateforme numérique dédiée au business de la mode.
AP :- Qu’est-ce qui rend votre travail unique ?
Modèle :- Je suis mannequin, mais aussi diplômée, gestionnaire d’agence, organisatrice d’événements et agente de talents. Je comprends à la fois l’aspect artistique et commercial de l’industrie, ce qui me permet d’obtenir des résultats concrets.
AP :- Comment peut-on vous contacter pour des collaborations ?
Modèle :-
Instagram : @Official_model_seefun
Facebook : Seefun May LL
AP :- Parlez-nous de votre expérience dans la ville où vous réalisez cette interview.
Modèle :- Addis-Abeba est une ville pleine d’énergie, de créativité et d’opportunités. Son industrie de la mode est en pleine croissance. Ce qui la rend spéciale, c’est son immense potentiel. Nous avons la possibilité de former des talents, de construire des standards professionnels et de contribuer au développement de l’industrie locale.
AP :- Un dernier mot pour nos lecteurs ?
Modèle :- J’ai dirigé des écoles, organisé des événements, participé à des castings pour des films et des publicités. J’aime réunir créativité et stratégie.
Donnez-moi un défi, et je le relèverai. Merci.
AP :- Au nom d’Addis Paris, merci beaucoup.
Modèle :- Merci beaucoup !
የአዲስ ፓሪስ ቃለ መጠይቅ – ሲፈን ድንቄሳ
አፓ:- ስለ እርስዎ ቃለ መጠይቅ ለመስጠት ወይም ንግድዎን እንድናስተዋውቅ ፈቃደኛ ነዎት?
Model :- አዎ፣ አዲስ ፓሪስ እንዲያስተዋውቀኝ እፈልጋለሁ።
አፓ:- እባክዎ ራስዎን ያስተዋውቁ። የት ተወለዱ? ዕድሜዎ፣ ቤተሰብዎ እና ሌሎች መረጃዎችን ያጋሩ።
Model :- ስሜ ሲፈን ድንቄሳ ነው። በአዲስ ከተማ፣ አዲስ አበባ ተወልጄ ያደግሁ ኢትዮጵያዊ ነኝ። አማርኛ፣ እንግሊዝኛ እና ኦሮምኛ እናገራለሁ። የፋሽን ሞዴል፣ ሥራ ፈጣሪ፣ የኢቨንት አስተዳዳሪ፣ የታለንት ወኪል እና የሞዴሊንግ አስተማሪ ነኝ። በፋሽንና በፈጠራ ዘርፍ ለበርካታ ዓመታት ልምድ አለኝ።
ቤተሶቦቼ በንግዱ አለም ናቸው። ይህም ትምህርትን፣ አመራርነትን እና የንግድ ልማትን እንድከተል አበረታቶኛል። ወጣቶችን ማበረታታት፣ ተፅእኖ ያላቸውን ኢቨንቶች ማዘጋጀት እና ለኢትዮጵያ ፋሽን እና ፈጠራ ዘርፍ እድገት ማበርከት የሕይወቴ ፍላጎት ነው።
አፓ:- ወንድም ወይም እህት አለዎት? የመጀመሪያ፣ የመጨረሻ ወይስ የመካከለኛ ልጅ ነዎት?
Model :- አንዲት እህት አለችኝ፣ እኔም የመጀመሪያ ልጅ ነኝ።
አፓ:- ልጅነትዎ እንዴት ነበር? ከማን ጋር ብዙ ጊዜ ያሳልፉ ነበር?
Model :- በቤታችን ውስጥ ደስተኛና ደጋፊ ልጅነት ነበረኝ። አብዛኛውን ጊዜዬን ከቤተሰቤ ጋር አሳልፍ ነበር፣ እነሱም በባህሪዬና እሴቶቼ ላይ ትልቅ ተፅእኖ አሳድረዋል። በልጅነቴ መጽሐፍ ማንበብ፣ ከእናቴና ከእህቴ ጋር ጥልቅ ውይይቶች ማድረግ እወድ ነበር። ንቁ፣ ጉጉት ያለኝ እና ማህበራዊ ሰው ነበርኩ። እነዚህ ልምዶች ዛሬም የሚያገለግሉኝን የግንኙነት ችሎታ፣ ራስ መተማመን እና ከሰዎች ጋር የመስራት ፍቅር አሳድገውልኛል።
አፓ:- የመጀመሪያ ትምህርት ቤትዎ እና ሁለተኛ ደረጃ ት/ቤትዎ ምን ይባላሉ?
Model :-
- ዊንጌት ትምህርት ቤት – አዲስ አበባ
- ባሼዋም አንደኛ ደረጃና ሁለተኛ ደረጃ ትምህርት ቤት
አፓ:- ዩኒቨርሲቲ ገብተው ነበር? ከሆነ በምን ዘርፍ ተምረዋል?
Model :-
- ሪፍት ቫሊ ዩኒቨርሲቲ – አካውንቲንግ እና ፋይናንስ (BA)
- አሜሪካን ኮሌጅ ኦፍ ቴክኖሎጂ – ቢዝነስ አድሚኒስትሬሽን (MBA)
አፓ:- የማይረሳ የትምህርት ቤት ትዝታ ያጋሩን።
Model :- ከማይረሱኝ የትምህርት ቤት ትዝታዎቼ አንዱ በ12ኛ ክፍል ሳለሁ ነው። የተማሪዎች ኮሚቴ ውስጥ ብቸኛዋ ሴት አባል ነበርኩ። የመጀመሪያውን የ“ታይ ቀን” በዓል አዘጋጅተን ነበር።
ከ1,000 በላይ ተማሪዎች ባሉበት ፊት ለፊት ብቻዬን መደነስ ጀመርኩ። ብዙዎቹ ተማሪዎች ሲያፍሩ እኔ ወደ መድረኩ ወጣሁ። ከዚያም ሁሉም ተቀላቀሉና ፕሮግራሙ ታላቅ ስኬት ሆነ።
ከዚያ ቀን በኋላ መምህራን፣ ተማሪዎች እና የትምህርት ቤቱ አስተዳደር ሁሉ አወቁኝ። ይህ ልምድ ራስ መተማመን፣ አመራርነት እና ቅድሚያ ወስዶ መስራት እንዳለብኝ አስተምሮኛል።
አፓ:- ተወዳጅ ሙዚቃዎ ወይም የሙዚቃ ዘውግዎ ምንድን ነው?
Model :- “ለኔስ ልዩ ነሽ ድንግል ማርያም” የተሰኘውን መዝሙር እወዳለሁ።
አፓ:- በልጅነትዎ ሞዴል ወይም ፋሽን ዲዛይነር ለመሆን ህልም ነበረዎት?
Model :- አዎ፣ ከልጅነቴ ጀምሮ የፋሽን ዲዛይነር ለመሆን ህልም ነበረኝ። ፋሽንና ፈጠራ ሁልጊዜ ይማርኩኝ ነበር። የሚገርመው ግን ሞዴል ለመሆን አላሰብኩም ነበር። 12ኛ ክፍል ከጨረስኩ በኋላ እናቴ ወደ ሞዴሊንግ ትምህርት ቤት መዝግባኝ። ያ አጋጣሚ ወደ ሞዴሊንግ ዓለም አስገባኝ።
አፓ:- ወደ ሞዴሊንግ ወይም ፋሽን ዘርፍ እንዴት ገቡ?
Model :- በአጋጣሚ ነበር፣ ነገር ግን ለሙያው ያለኝ ፍላጎት እያደገ ስለመጣ መቀጠልን መረጥኩ።
አፓ:- በየትኛው የሞዴሊንግ ዘርፍ ፍላጎት አለዎት?
Model :- በፎቶ ሞዴሊንግ ላይ ፍላጎት አለኝ።
አፓ:- ሙሉ ጊዜ ሞዴል ነዎት?
Model :- በአሁኑ ጊዜ ትርፍ ጊዜ (Part-time) ሞዴል ነኝ።
አፓ:- ለመጀመሪያ ጊዜ በየትኛው አገር በሞዴሊንግ ተሳትፈዋል?
Model :- በኢትዮጵያ።
አፓ:- ሰዎች ለስራዎ የሰጡት አስተያየት ምን ነበር?
Model :- መጀመሪያ ላይ ስለ ሞዴሊንግ ብዙ የተሳሳተ ግንዛቤ ነበር፣ አሁን ግን እየተሻሻለ ነው። በየቀኑም ሰዎች “ሞዴል ነሽ?” ብለው ይጠይቁኛል።
አፓ:- በሞዴሊንግ ወይም በውበት ውድድር ተሳትፈው ያውቃሉ?
Model :- አዎ።
አፓ:- ስንት ሰዎች ተሳትፈው ነበር? ውጤቱስ ምን ነበር?
Model :- በ2021 “International Model World Queen Ethiopia” የተባለ ውድድር ላይ ተሳትፌ ነበር። ከተለያዩ የአፍሪካ አገሮች ተወዳዳሪዎች ተሳትፈው ነበር። ቁጥራቸውን አላስታውስም። ውድድሩ ጥሩ እየሄደ ነበር፣ ግን በግል ምክንያቶች ማጠናቀቅ አልቻልኩም።
አፓ:- የሚወዷቸው ዓለም አቀፍ ተፅእኖ ፈጣሪዎች ወይም ተዋናዮች ማን ናቸው?
Model :- ሊያ ከበደ እና ኦፕራን እወዳለሁ።
አፓ:- የሕይወትዎ ሮል ሞዴል ማን ነው?
Model :- እናቴ እና ራሴ።
አፓ:- ከአምስት ዓመት በኋላ ራስዎን የት ያያሉ?
Model :- በአዲስ አበባ የራሴን የፈጠራ ኤጀንሲ እየመራሁ አያለሁ። የሞዴሊንግ ስልጠና፣ የኢቨንት ማኔጅመንት እና የታለንት ምርጫ ሥራዎችን በአንድ ብራንድ ስር አቀናጅቼ እሰራለሁ። ትልልቅ የፋሽን ሳምንቶችን እና ኤክስፖዎችን አዘጋጃለሁ፣ እንዲሁም ወጣት ሴት ሥራ ፈጣሪዎችን እደግፋለሁ።
አፓ:- ከሌሎች የሚለዩዎት ምንድን ነው?
Model :- ሞዴል ብቻ ሳልሆን የተማርኩ ሰው ነኝ። የሞዴሊንግ ኤጀንሲ አስተዳድሬያለሁ፣ የፋሽን ዝግጅቶችን አዘጋጅቻለሁ እና እንደ ታለንት ወኪል ሰርቻለሁ። የሙያውን የጥበብ እና የንግድ ጎን በሚገባ እረዳለሁ።
አፓ:- ለትብብር የሚያገኙዎትን መረጃ ያጋሩ።
Model :-
Instagram: @Official_model_seefun
Facebook: Seefun May LL
አፓ:- ይህን ቃለ መጠይቅ ከምታደርጉበት ከተማ ስለ ተሞክሮዎ ይንገሩን።
Model :- ለብዙ ዓመታት በአዲስ አበባ እየሠራሁ እና ሙያዬን እየገነባሁ ነው። ከተማዋ በጣም ንቁ እና በእድገት ላይ ያለ የፋሽን እና ፈጠራ ዘርፍ አላት።
አዲስ አበባ ለእኔ ልዩ የምትሆነው በውስጧ ያለው እምቅ አቅም ስለሆነ ነው። እዚህ ስርዓት መገንባት፣ ታለንት ማሰልጠን እና ሙያዊ ደረጃዎችን ማስፈን ይቻላል።
አፓ:- የመጨረሻ መልዕክትዎ ምንድን ነው?
Model :- ትምህርት ቤቶችን አስተዳድሬያለሁ፣ ኢቨንቶችን አዘጋጅቻለሁ፣ ለፊልሞችና ማስታወቂያዎች ሰዎችን መርጫለሁ። ንግድን እና ፈጠራን በአንድ ላይ አጣምሬ እሰራለሁ። ፈተና ስጡኝ፣ ውጤት አመጣለሁ። እናመሰግናለን።
አፓ:- በአዲስ ፓሪስ ስም በጣም እናመሰግናለን።
Model :- እኔም እጅግ አመሰግናለሁ! ለዚህ ዕድል እና ለቆንጆው ቃለ መጠይቅ እናመሰግናለሁ።
