FINE, FIERCE, A MAN WHO SEEMS TO HAVE IT ALL. Its all about the Calabar–based Fashion/Model coach and Artistic/Photography director WORLDCHARMING SMART COURAGE who has amassed a wide collection of images that present a cohesive collaboration of fashion and Photography brilliantly blurring the lines between the two. His prowess in the fashion world speaks highly for him and thus, his high profile status. Walking every hall way as a runway. Amazing every one as he sways on those heels But despite his ever growing fan base and popularity, he has been a centre of controversy in respect to his personality. Box411 media crew however caught up with him and had a one on one chat with him with a major focus on his fierce controversial personality. Guess what we find out? Excerpts...
BOX411 – Hello smart, there is a controversy on your name (Smart Courage). Many believe it’s an adopted name. Can you enlighten us on that?
SMART - My father’s name is Smart before i was born, my parent named me Courage, invariably, my name is Smart courage so, there is nothing like an adopted name.
BOX411 – You recently banked two awards in the category of ‘Student Celebrity’ both in Safari awards and UNICAL SUG Awards. How does this affect your career?
SMART – It only cemented the fact that I am actually recognized and a step to bigger things.
BOX411 – Last time we saw your work, you had just shot some exquisite images. Your portfolio boasts a range of ornate settings. How does each location influence your final image?
SMART – Photography is a study. It is connected to a particular set of people who you want to sell an idea to. For you to achieve that, every single tiny detail must be met & the location is one of the major part of that detail. I can’t shoot an epic story using an urban location. It might not relate as you would have wanted it. The location is actually the story.
BOX411 – Your images are so grandeur that i seem to understand you have a whole team of creative’s you work with. Could you please explain your process while going into such elaborate shoots?
SMART – First and foremost, it comes with an idea, the purpose of the shoot, which gives breath to costume and makeup, further, Location, which works hand in hand with the idea now banking on a photographer who can relate to the idea; then a fierce photograph is born.
BOX411 – Talking of photographrs, how many photographers have u been privileged to work with?
SMART – Yeahhhh, my besties. (laughs). Image Faculty, Dynamics, 3E, Franchise, Photostudio here in Calabar. Efe Lopaze and many more.
BOX411 – Does any of your photo shoots in any way reflect your lifestyle & beliefs?
SMART –In short, NO. I am two different persons, on set & in reality. In reality, am just a boy next door, an ordinary person, while on set, I am for perfection & to deliver no matter how daring it might seem to be, a term called professionalism.
BOX411 – You are one of a few model coaches in Nigeria that goes on heels, what is the idea behind it?
SMART – I still call it professionalism. You can’t give what you don’t have.. For you to make these girls believe you and for you to feel their pain, you should be in their shoes. Shoes, on a literal sense and symbolic. I practice what I preach. If I say be on heels on a rehearsal ground, i also go on heels so that no one tells me “oh, smart, it’s because you are on ‘flats’ that is why you ain’t feeling these pains”. I have gained more trust because am now in their shoes.
BOX411 – You are part of #TeamWorldcharming. Can you tell us about the brand?
SMART - I am actually Worldcharming. It happens to be a name which generated from my looks, I added it to my name making me Worldcharming Smart Courage. Worldcharming is a brand involved in Catwalk training, Artistic Directing (Photography) and Fashion related show production.
BOX411 – You have been the centre of controversy for a while now in the City of Calabar concerning your sexuality. How true is the people’s opinion on it?
SMART – I believe in professionalism , and as every young entrepreneur, we have our target markets. 90% of people I deal with are females, and you can’t give what you don’t have. Due to this, I put myself into their situation and try as much as I can to show them that I can be what I always want them to be despite that i am a male. This is what is stirring up so many eyebrows; but as a person, i put very fews people into consideration when carrying out an action, those who really matters to me. And while they are satisfied with my actions and know who I am, every other person is secondary. The sad truth in life is that you can’t be loved by everyone, but when those who matters puts you in high esteem, every other person again is secondary. So, let the controversy keep rolling. I see it as a stepping stone because it makes the unknown known to the known and even make me find out things about myself that I don’t know. (laughs)
BOX411 – The controversy heightened on your receival of an award in the UNICAL SUG Awards 2014, where an ‘Unwelcomed’ chant followed your receival of the award. How did you feel at that moment?
SMART – It was awesome. It was magical. But most noteworthy, is that it was a childish play by myopic thinkers and when people can’t just get to you, they use words to bully you; But at the end of the day, who got the award? I did. They needed four times of what they did that day to get to me. For those that still hate, I dedicate the song by Demi Lovato’s ‘skyscrapper’ to them. Enjoy as u listen. (laughs)
BOX411 – So now, what advice would you love to give to both your ‘Haters’ & Lovers alike?
SMART – (Laughs) “‘Sweethearts’ Keep hating”. I have never seen when a hater is better. For my lovers, Much love and thank you so much for taking me this far. One thing in life is that when you wish someone good, you can get better, See you guys at the top!
BOX411 – What has been your biggest challenge for you in the fashion industry?
SMART – My greatest challenge was at my recent job,.’ Miss Tourism Nigeria’, where i had to create a set out of nothing due to bad weather condition. But at the end of the day, it came out very well. The C. E.O of the show, Santiago Roberts told me “Smart, I want my shoot done, just create a set”, those words were challenging considering a heavy storm that tried disrupting the set
BOX411 – What is the furthest show from home that you’ve done so far?
SMART – South Africa
BOX411 – thinking back to early childhood, what was your first experience with fashion for the first time like? SMART – My family is fashion oriented, My mum is a fashion oriented person. My elder brother is a shoe freak, so I can’t say there is a first time experience because am born into it.
BOX411 – What does your family think of your chosen career and do they support you?
SMART – My family is supportive. My younger brother does my designs and edits most of my shoots. Interestingly, my mum gave me my first pair of heels while my dad does a lot of questioning which gives me a lot of inspirations.
BOX411 – Educational Background?
SMART – I am a final year year student of Genetics And Biotechnology , University of Calabar, Calabar.
BOX411 – Does your present course of study in school affect your choosen career?
SMART - For my cosmetics line coming out in the near future, I will say yes, because i want to dive into cosmetology in the nearest future.
BOX411 – Where would you Love to see yourself in the coming years?
SMART – It has always been a dream to have a makeup line and a perfume line. So, in the coming years, I hope to have my perfume ‘Charming after Dark’ and a makeup Line ‘Worldcharming’.
BOX411 – Does anyone in particular influence your coaching career?
SMART – Yes, Tyrabanks, Santiago Roberts ( c.e.o Mr Universe & Miss Tourism Nigeria), Brendan Nsikak of Nigeria International Super Models, Mr Chuks of Mr Tourism Nigeria & Most Beutiful Face in Nigeria. Mr Ovoh of Model of Africa & Xa International, Ayetunde Twitch of Mr Ideal Nigeria, Joan Okon of Tholakele Productions; Tega Dominic, Glory Nicholas, Patience Okon, Mandu Ekanem, Williams, Dee Entertainment, Jennifer Akong, Patrick Celestin, Uvara Samuel, Ifeanyi Ogbo, Joshua Jason, Gideon Akonjo, Franklin, Emmanuel Onojah, Donald Chukwudi, Oscar Okochi, Margaret Thasher and Mr Alex as i call him. They are all awesome!
BOX411 – Is there anyone special you would love to thank for making your dream come true?
SMART - Mbakara World, Santiago Roberts, Pamela (For your strong advice), the All time Unique strategy crew, My family, Brendan Nsikak, My friends of Life , Box411 Media crew and many more special people and especially to the ‘Haters’, you guys rock!.
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