Mélissa Vignier-Mendy dreams of becoming one of the fashion faces of tomorrow

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What if this was the chance of a lifetime? This Sunday October 6, 2024 in Paris, at the Théâtre du Gymnase, Mélissa Vignier-Mendyfrom Mureaux (Yvelines), will compete in the final of Top Model Europe, considered one of the three biggest modeling competitions in the world.

“I didn’t expect to get this far”

On the starting line, there were around 25,000 (men and women) dreaming of victory.

The Muriautine 20-year-old is one of around thirty finalists in the female models category.

“It’s incredible, I didn’t expect to get this far. When I went to Paris to participate in the casting last April, it was only for the 2025 edition. And there, the casting director asked me to come back the next day for the semi-finals of the 2024 competition. »

“I regained confidence in myself”

Proof that Mélissa Vignier-Mendy has talent and has made an impression.

“I have always been tall (1.77 m), that is an asset, but others are taller than me. Lately, I have regained my confidence. I manage to approach people, I no longer stress. We are judged on stage, but also by the way we behave behind the scenes. »

After this impressive debut, she participated in one day of training in Paris in June. “We worked on self-confidence, we practiced walking in heels…”

She also took part in two fashion shows: one of Coq Sportif at the Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel hotel, where she presented the outfits of the French team at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the other of the fashion designer Dushica Shaleva.

She dreams of walking for big brands

If he wins this Sunday, his career could take off for good. “Previous winners have had the chance to work for big brands,” she says. Some make me dream like Jean-Paul Gaultier or Giorgio Armani. »

Physiotherapy student, Mélissa Vignier-Mendy would like break into modeling even if she is aware “that careers are short”. “I know that there won’t be a hundred opportunities like this. So I have to take my chance to the fullest. »

A first contrasting experience

The one who also practices high jumping at GPS&O Athlétisme (personal best at 1.56 m) nevertheless had a contrasting first experience with the fashion world.

“In 2019, I participated in The Claw Models competition in Les Mureaux, but I was not selected. I told myself that this was not an environment for me. And then I became a photo model for makeup artists and stylists. I ended up listening to advice from friends and family who encouraged me to try again. »

Final of the Top Model Europe competition: Sunday October 6, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., at the Théâtre du Gymnase (38, boulevard de Bonne-Nouvelle) in Paris.

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