Paris, July 10: This is the latest trend on the Paris catwalks -- the bride is in white, but she is black. Kadija Sokhna, from Senegal, has been a model for two years. Her ambition is to carve a niche for herself amongst the world's top models. Jean-Luc Evrard, Designer, says "I think it was a must to choose her, because a beautiful white dress trimmed with black velvet worn on ebony-coloured skin, the effect is stunning."



Kadija was born in M'Bour, near Dakar. After leaving Africa, she initially moved to Switzerland, and then to Paris. Her first interview was with the famous Metropolitan agency -- and she was hired. Since then, she's had a string of photo shoots and fashion shows. She has been lucky -- there are not many Africans in the modelling elite. Michel Levaton, Director, Metropolitan Paris explains, "In general, African women adore fashion, and they adore this job. And when they make a career out of it, it can be a very long one. The problem that they have is that they have to shine above the rest because they're in direct competition with each other -- so if one is successful, the others aren't. The reason is that there isn't the market for the world's ten top models to all be African."


For the moment, Kadija is happy with her career. She has managed to get into "Haute Couture", the exclusive circle of high fashion in France. In 2002, Kadija went to Brazil to represent Senegal, in the Metropolitan agencies world contest. She was high on hope -- and on nerves


Kadija Sokhna, says "I am happy to represent my country, there are lots of countries represented here, fifty-three of us. I am very proud to represent Senegal." A lot of fuss for three turns on the catwalk and half a minute of fame -- in the end, Kadija was disappointed. Of the five winners, not one was from Africa.


Back in Paris, Kadija gets back to work, still hoping that one day she'll make it to the top. "It is very difficult, especially when you are black, but we have to keep going, because we want to succeed. Not so that the girls in Senegal have something to dream about -- but because every person has the right to be happy." reveals Sokhna.


She is twenty-nine years old, so for a model, she has already reached a maturity of sorts. Her time on the catwalk is running out -- so she`s making plans for the future. Kadija Sokhna reveals, "I have a great project. With the help of God, I would like to open a school for orphaned children in Senegal, in M`Bour, one hour`s drive from Dakar. Dakar is full of nice buildings, but when you go out of town, there are lots of poor kids. Women have these children and then they abandon them in the streets. I don`t criticise them, but all this hurts my feelings a lot."


But until her great project becomes a reality, Kadija`s priority will still be to look good -- on the catwalks of the fashion world.


Bureau Report