Fashion Week around the world is the draw of haute couture enthusiasts, as well as celebrities and pop culture icons. Style Fashion Week is a grand scale production of fashion events, showcasing the season’s collections from top designers and emerging talent. Those expected to impact fashion’s international marketplace are immersed in a tight schedule of must-see runway shows and exclusive VIP parties in venues across the United States and around the world.
Celai (suh-LAY) West is a 9-year old fashion model. With an innate ability to embody a designer’s vision, Celai struts the runway with proficiency far above what is expected of a child her age. One of the choice child runway models for Style Fashion Week, in October 2017, she returned to the catwalk at the Pacific Design Center in Beverly Hills, CA with her usual vibrant enthusiasm. This year, however, a segment of her appearance hit the Internet and went viral almost instantly. Celai West’s signature walk and all natural hair generated attention from 6 million + viewers, praises, trending topics, hashtags #BlackGirlMagic, #Queen, #Empress #DaughterGoals, and #Slay, building her social media following to nearly 75k across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, as well as drawing comments from industry insiders, like Miss J. Alexander.
Young West has been modeling since age three. Her comfort on the runway has become second nature. At around age six, her parents noticed her genuine passion for the field and became more active in supporting her efforts. This decision has paved the way for ad campaigns for Target, Walmart, Disney, FabKids, The North Face, and even American Girl. Opportunities for runway shows, print ads, and television commercials often require the nine-year-old to travel from west to east coast.
With four films appearances in 2017, including a lead role in the recently released Muppo Invaders MUST DIE, she is eligible for membership in the Screen Actors Guild. Celai can also be found on the very small screen as leading actress in the original (en Français) “Voodoo Song” music video for recording artist Willy William. The official “Voodoo Song” music video premiered in French in May of 2017 and has since generated nearly 13,000,000 views and sparked Spanish and English club remixes featuring none other than J Balvin and queen Beyoncé.
Celai is especially known for her naturally styled hair on the runway. Her signature walk has stirred quite a few comparisons, and while some are already considering her the first African American child supermodel, nine-year-old Celai takes it all in stride. She is proudest knowing that others are encouraged by her example.
