Dorotea Niang is 11 years old and lives in a small town in the province of Varese, in Italy. Her mom is Italian and dad from Senegal. Dorotea’s motto is “always pursue your dreams”.
Dorotea has already worked on a variety of advertising campaigns for Benetton, Unicef, OVS, Dolce and Gabbana, Il Gufo, Canguro Kids, Riva Kids, Polaroid eyewear, LuisaviaRoma, Prenatal and has also walked on the catwalk at Pitti Bimbo, a trade show and kids fashion event in Italy. Dorotea’s favourite subjects at school are Art and French. This talented young lady is also a keen tennis player and has been playing at a competitive level for the last 4 years.
“I’ll Paint A Rose For You” brings together Dorotea’s passion for painting and her desire to always give a smile to those around her.
Which modelling agency are you represented by? I am represented by the Minimodel agency which is located in Milan. I tried, over the years, to go to bigger and better-known agencies but, in the end, I realized that I was too attached to my small agency, the only one that made me live so many wonderful experiences. Minimodel also represents me for commercials and casting for films and television series.
What lead you to start modelling? At first, my parents were sceptical, they were a little afraid to let me into this new world, then when I took my first photos for a Benetton catalogue, they saw that I had a lot of fun. I wanted to continue to change clothes and take pictures throughout the day. It is there that I realized that I have found my passion, that I love fashion and the environment that is created in the backstage. After I was called for various TV commercials and even there I realized how much fun it could be to be filmed, to act together with other children. In the following 4 years, I was called for various photoshoots, including Dolce and Gabbana with the extraordinary photographer Federico Leone, Il Gufo with the very nice Serge Guerand, Luisaviaroma with Jody Mattioli. Whenever I attended services, I learned new things, met amazing people like makeup artists and hairdressers, and always made new friends. But what I love most is to parade. My first show was for Il Gufo, at Pitti Bimbo and I had a lot of fun: seeing the clothes I would wear, the rehearsals, the laughs and the games backstage, the fear before going out on the catwalk and then the satisfaction and the joy of having done everything right. Well, maybe I didn’t decide to start modelling…it all came naturally and it makes me happy.
What is the best part about being a model? Being a model for me means being pampered by makeup artists, hairdressers, various assistants who fill us with compliments. I had the opportunity to travel and see beautiful places like Florence and Teulada, in Sardinia. In addition, I met new friends with whom I am still in contact and meet photographers all over Italy. It is a pleasure to see a photo of you on the Internet or in shops, waiting for the commercial you have participated in to be broadcast on TV. It makes you feel great.
Which has been your favourite shoot to date? Every opportunity has left me with wonderful memories, but what I really loved was the one for Il Gufo in Sardinia where I saw some fabulous places.
Was there any standout or funny moments from your shoot with Alona? With Alona, I always have fun as she puts me at ease and makes me laugh when she says I have a belly because I eat too much salami!
If you could work with any brand which would be top on your list? It would be a dream for me to be able to work for Monnalisa, Roberto Cavalli, Stella McCartney, MSGM and Elisabetta Franchi.
Which is your top fashion magazine/blog? Definitely, Junior Style London that publishes wonderful photos and really interesting editorials. Then Book Moda Bambini on which I appeared in a Hilarious editorial about the circus, where they make me up like a clown, a Pierrot, a killer doll…I loved this job! Then I also like Style Piccoli.
Which are your favourite fashion brands and stores? My favourite fashion brands are Stella McCartney because she is particular and colourful ( just my style). Then Dolce and Gabbana, Versace, Monnalisa, River Island but also Blukids, Nike, Fila and Original Marines.
Which models do you look up to for inspiration? Gigi Hadid because she is beautiful and despite her fame, she remained humble.
Who is your favourite actor and actress? My favourite actress is Zendaya because I see myself a lot in her: we have the same skin colour and one day I would like to be as beautiful as her! The actor I like is Tom Felton because he is very good at acting and, I watch Harry Potter just to see him.
What is your favourite item in your closet? I am very fond of a Nike tracksuit that last year my cousin who lives in France gave me.
Do you speak any languages? If so which languages? I speak English and French quite well.
If you could have 3 wishes, what would they be? Surely I would like the Covid pandemic to end so that I can go out with my friends again and travel freely again. I would like to visit America and, if possible, end hunger in the world.
If you could meet anyone in the world who would it be? I’d like to meet Harry Styles, who is my favourite singer.
What is your biggest dream? My biggest dream is to be able to work, when I grow up, in the fashion world, not only as a model but also as a photographer.
What do you like to do in your spare time? love to dance, listen to music, draw and talk on the phone with my friends.
What is the last book your read or film you saw? Honestly, apart from the book I have to read for school, I don’t really like reading: I can’t sit still! Instead, the last movie I saw was “ Jumanji”.
What is your favourite track on your playlist? My playlist is very varied: there are so many songs that I love to listen to but my favourite is “Golden” to Harry Styles.
Follow Dorotea on Instagram to keep up to date with her.
Photography Credits:
Photography: Alona Shestiuk
Assistant & MUAH: Aleksandra Feliche
Model: Dorotea Niang
Clothing Credits: Yclu clothing, Fila shoes & Shein sandals.
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Photography by Alona Shestuik – All rights reserved.
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