Jennifer Mesidor
23 years old
Born in Haiti
Lives in Montreal
Mats
So, Jennifer, how are you?
Jennifer
I’m good. And you?
Mats
I’m good! I’m good! So, Jennifer, talk about yourself. How old are you. Where are you from…
Jennifer
Hum, I’m 23 years old. I was born in Haiti and I was raised in Montreal and Florida.
Mats
Since when you came back in Montreal?
Jennifer
It’s been two years and a half now.
Mats
All right, all right! What’s your favorite color?
Jennifer
My favorite color is black.
Mats
Why?
Jennifer
Black because everything is better in black. Everything is good in black.
Mats
What is your favorite movie?
Jennifer
My favorite movie is The Matrix with Keanu Reeves… This is not like my favorite movie but I really love this movie.
Mats
So, it’s your favorite movie.
Jennifer
(Laughs) If I had a list, it would be one of my favorites I guess. But I really like super-hero movies like Marvel’s.
Mats
Ok! I also want to know on a more serious note now. When did you start modeling?
Jennifer
I started modeling when I was like 13 or 14 when I was in middle school.
Mats
I guess that you liked the experience.
Jennifer
Well, at first, I was always into modeling but I never had the drive to it. But When I was younger, it was all about my mom wanting me to do it, then me wanting to keep going with it.
Mats
Did she agree with the choices you’ve made?
Jennifer
Oh! Yeah!
Mats
Can you talk about your experience so far since you started?
Jennifer
It has been a ‘’ups and downs’’ journey because it’s not easy as people think you know. When you tell someone that you are modeling or that you are in the fashion industry or whatever, the only thing he might think is ‘’she’s going to go to a photoshoot and pose and that’s it’’. But there is a lot of things that go behind it. As far as for the models for being fit and looking a certain way and being discriminated by others because of your skin color, your weight and stuff like that. And if you do not have the confidence, it’s easy to just crumble.
Mats
Did you face a lot of discrimination due to your race?
Jennifer
Hum, I can feel like two times that it happened to me. It left a mark. Not that I lost my confidence, but it made me hate doing modeling for a while I guess.
Mats
I see. Well, it takes courage to keep going despite these types of situations for sure. Because I’m pretty sure that some models must question themselves.
Jennifer
That one time it happened, one of the hair dressers openly told us that he did not like black people and that he was not going to do black models hair and make up and stuff like that. And he said that in front of everybody and some of them already knew it. Only a few of us took that seriously just to show you how it’s ‘’normal’’ for somebody in this industry to say that he does not want to work with certain people because of their skin color.
Mats
So, you are saying that there is a problem.
Jennifer
Yeah! Of course, there is a problem. I think that every minority model can tell you that we share similar problems.
Mats
Can you talk about your aspirations for now? You’re now 23 years old. So, I guess you have something. You must have a vision.
Jennifer
I don’t see myself going to Paris and cat walk for Gucci. I don’t want to get into that. As much as it is appealing to see, I don’t want to do it. I want to do commercials and, maybe, walk in the background.
Mats
Ok, so you don’t want to be in the spotlight?
Jennifer
When it comes to modelling, no.
Mats
So, you have other aspirations, right?
Jennifer
Yes!
Mats
What are they?
Jennifer
To have my own business and do more movies.
Mats
Ok! What do you like when it comes to clothing?
Jennifer
I like it minimal. Something that could look dope not too flashy. You won’t see me wearing blingbling…
Mats
Or anything that could attract attention easily?
Jennifer
Not to be cocky, but I still get the attention. It’s just that, I don’t think you must go all out to get the attention. I’m not the type of person who’s going to weir a long fur coat. You won’t see me like that. It’s just going to be minimal with black like always. It’s just like your clothing line you know. It’s simple. People like the portraits you painted (limited edition) and that only attracts the attention. They like the art work that comes with it.
Mats
What do you look for when you go shopping?
Jennifer
I’d say the color, then the details. Like ok, it’s a black coat, then I see this belt and I’d say ‘’Oh nice!’’ And it keeps going like that.
Mats
What is the best city that represents fashion according to you?
Jennifer
Well, I’d say Tokyo or Paris.
Mats
What would be the best city that represents art?
Jennifer
Paris of course!
Mats
What about New York?
Jennifer
Yeah, but Miami has a Week of Art Festival. But Yeah, I’m more into street art than common art. Banksy is one of my favorite artists and I don’t think that art has specific place.
Mats
What is your favorite piece of clothing?
Jennifer
Now, I bought this off shoulder red and white… it’s very nice!
Mats
Have you ever bought something you hated? You just dislike it and you’re just like ‘’why did I buy it? What happened? Why?’’
Jennifer
Yeah! (Laughs) A dress. Until this day, it’s in my closet and I just hold on to it. I might change my mind. It happens often though. It happens that I weir something suddenly. Just in case.
Mats
Who is your favorite designer?
Jennifer
Emilio Pucci.
Mats
Who is your favorite celebrity when it comes to fashion? Did you have some type of crush or girl crush on any of them?
Jennifer
Of course, I’m going to say Rihanna! (Laughs) I don’t want to be mainstream because it’s Rihanna. It’s just that she WEARS the clothes... Like she wears them. She can wear a garbage bag and she is still going to look dope. It’s not the clothing, it’s how you wear it and your confidence. And I like that about her. I don’t follow one designer if you ask me about them, I don’t stick to one person or one designer.
Mats
Here’s the last question! La Perle Noire, what do you think of it so far? You worked with us and you posed with our limited edition for the black history month. So, tell us your opinion about it. Feel free to tell anything!
Jennifer
I think it’s an amazing brand because even from the start, when the portraits didn’t make it into a shirt, I always liked your art. There is just something about it… Like, I like how there is something behind, a story behind it.
Mats
It’s all about wearing your own history.
Jennifer
Yeah exactly! Not many brands do that. Your brand is the only one in Montreal I know that does it and it’s nice!
Mats
Ok cool! Thank you for your time Jennifer. I hope that we’re going to work together again soon!
Jennifer
Thanks to you Mats!
You can follow Jenifer Mesidor on Instagram: @Jennifermesidor