Issue 03: Style Spotlight

Last year I was asked to choreograph a fund-raising fashion show event with the American Women’s Association called, ‘East meets West.’  That is when my path crossed with Harmony Anne-Marie Ilunga, a beautiful energetic Congolese model.  She was great to work with and moved with the grace of a cat down the runway. I could see her passion and love for modelling.  Later we met up and I did a radio interview about her life as an asylum seeker and refugee in Hong Kong.  Harmony has a powerful inspiring story, that I would like to share with you.

Harmony is originally from Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She moved to Hong Kong in 2011 as a refugee with her family.  While she was in high school, Harmony was introduced to the world of modeling by doing her first fashion show. This was the beginning of her journey as a model, little did she know, that it would be so difficult. 

Her first experience was trying to find a modelling agent in Hong Kong, that would represent her. It was a horrible humiliating experience, as Harmony was discriminated against, because of the colour of her skin.  But this did not phase Harmony.  She was not ready to give up on her dreams and kept knocking on doors, in hopes that one would open. She was told several times that the modelling agencies preferred white models. In desperation, Harmony tried lightening her skin, so that she could fit into the Hong Kong modelling culture, this still did not work.  This gutsy resilient young woman, then decided if you cannot beat them, join them.

With determination she decided It was time to change the face of fashion and make it more diversified by challenging the modelling industry in Asia.  So, this Sassy 22-year-old powerhouse created her own modelling agency, ‘Harmony HK’ which represents a diverse group of female and male models.

Harmony also celebrates diversity through art, music, and fashion with her bi-yearly Harmony fashion shows.  While this was all in motion, Harmony was also balancing her psychology degree, as well as being a mentor for other young refugees and asylum seekers, as well as co-founder of Learning Together, which focuses on education for asylum seekers.

Kimberly is chatting with Harmony

Kimberley: What has life been like for you in Hong Kong?

Harmony: Challenging, but I am very grateful for everything that has happened in my life.  I have met a lot of very nice people, that helped me integrate into the Hong Kong society. Life is good and I am grateful to be in Hong Kong at this stage of my life, rather than anywhere else.

Kimberley: What words of wisdom would you give to other asylum seekers that are moving away from an unstable country?

Harmony: To always remember where they come from and make good use of every opportunity that comes their way. As well as focus on their school and studies and always be grateful.

Kimberley: Can you tell me about a setback you personally experienced and how you recovered from it?  What life lessons have you learned along the way?

Harmony: There have been a lot of setbacks, but what I have learned is to take every single mistake and problem that occurs, and use it as a lesson, making sure not to repeat the same mistake twice. Life presents a lot of challenges and we need to stay strong.

Kimberley: How and where do you find inspiration in life?  Do you have any special mentors that influenced you personally?

Harmony: Inspiration comes from the people around me, the mistakes we make and dealing with heartbreak. 

Chantal, Akshay and Floyd and both of my parents are individuals whom I am so blessed to have in my life.  They have known me for a long time.  They support and trust whatever decisions I make.

Kimberley: How do you stay positive?

Harmony: Always be grateful for what I have around me and try not to compare my life with others.

Kimberley: You always look fabulous; do you have a special skin care routine ?

Harmony: Not really, nothing seems to work.  I just wash my face, use scrub and a normal moisturizer.  That’s it.

Kimberley: do you have any time to exercise?

Harmony: Yes, I exercise 3-4 times a week.  It is one of my favourite things to do.

Kimberley: How do you balance your psychology degree, NGO’s, Harmony HK agency and social life?

Harmony: Good time management helps me a lot, but I have less social life.

Kimberley: What professional organizations are you currently associated with?

Harmony: I am the Co-Founder of Learning Together, which is a charity that helps refugees in Hong Kong and I also work with Replead, a refugee NGO.

Kimberley: When you first started working as a model, did you foresee that you would be opening your own boutique Harmony HK modelling agency?

Harmony: Yes, I did, since day one, but I did not know when or where that would be.  But I always knew I would have something of my own.

Kimberley: Why did you start up a modelling agency in Hong Kong?

Harmony: Because I wanted to promote diversity and inclusion and to promote the lack of diversity.  It was important to me to raise awareness about the refugees and ethnic minority situation in Hong Kong.

Kimberley: How do you help package your current models at Harmony HK?

Harmony: By listening to them and observing their potential.

Kimberley: How do you find clients for your modeling agency?

Harmony: Mostly by talking to people, but I find that most clients reach out to the Harmony HK agency.

Kimberley: What are your proudest accomplishments?

Harmony: Setting up Harmony HK

Kimberley: What’s next, special lady? Any goals and aspirations for 2021?

Harmony: Next is to graduate from University and focus on Harmony HK and in 2021, to launch a production house and start working on my online shops.

Kimberley: Do you have any last words of wisdom for all the young women out there?

Harmony: Follow your heart and your passion.

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