With her two weeks old baby-like complexion, lovely 5’4 figure, Annie Borgard is taking the modeling world by storm. Scratch that…she’s taking the modeling world at hurricane speed. Except that she’s not likely to leave any damage behind her. The 23-year old Haiti-born beauty, who left her homeland at 16 to join her family in the United States, is studying international relations—but modeling is clearly an ardent passion.

Borgard got her start in modeling about two years ago, when a friend of hers, a student of photography, started to use her as a subject for her photographs. The friend submitted the photos that she took of Borgard to a photography contest. The entry didn’t garner a prize for Borgard’s friend, but someone from John Casablanca Modeling School had a glimpse at the photos, and invited Borgard to a seminar. Upon enrollment and subsequent graduation from the school, Borgard garnered some assignments, and has been modeling ever since.

Q & A

How do you define beauty?
Beauty… The moment you think you know wh[at] it is, along comes someone else with a different definition. There may be [a] standard [of] what beauty ought to be, but the moment you find yourself bound by those standards, you’re no longer able to define beauty. It’s like canvas; let the artist paint your beauty.

What would you say has been your most memorable modeling assignment?
It has to be Miami Fashion Week: Haiti A La Mode Show. I loved my outfit, the crowd and everything.

What was special about the crowd at Miami Fashion Week?
It was my first big fashion show ever. I was overwhelmed, the moment I stepped on the runway the crowd started cheering and I got so many compliments about my look, hair style and body structure. My body happened to be toned naturally, and believe it or not I don’t exercise or even am on any kind of special [diet].

What was it like getting prepared for such a big fashion event?
Well, I was nervous. [This] being my first show [I] didn’t really know what was going to happen—being backstage with a lot of experienced models. I had a lot of what ifs on my mind, but it turned out to be a a great show. Met a lot of important people in the industry too.

You’re also an actress. What’s the best part about the two careers?
It’s one and the same; I love both. The best part to me is cameras. I love being in front of cameras.

Some girls, some young women sometimes have a hard time loving their bodies. What have you learned in your journey as an individual that you’d like to share with other females out there?
To other women, it may come in different ways. It’s a journey of self discovery. If you don’t know what you have, you can’t really tell when others praise you. There was a time, I didn’t feel so good about my own body. I didn’t know why; I simply didn’t. It took a friend to slowly allow me to discover that I have an amazing body.

Do you have any words of wisdom for some of the aspiring models out there?
To any young aspiring model, the road ahead doesn’t and won’t get much easy…Still that shouldn’t be stopping you from reaching your goals and [nurturing your] dreams.

Rejection is something that comes with the modeling industry at times. How do you handle it?
Rejection is common in all walks of life—especially in modeling. It gets much harder and tougher to accept. Modeling exudes and embraces beauty, elegance, style So when you’re told you’re neither have style, beauty and elegance after striving to leave shyness behind. It hurts.

Do you consider yourself a fashionable person?
I consider myself very fashionable otherwise I wouldn’t get into this field.

How do you put an outfit together? What makes a great outfit?
Any outfit is about taste. Fashion is a volatile thing; nothing is hot for too long except the classic two dresses, red and black that every closet should have. As far as what makes a great outfit it’s all about how you feel. Whenever one too many eyes are fixated on you, you either doing it or—.

In terms of your career, where do you see yourself?
I have dreams and a lot of things to accomplish. If I can make a difference through modeling along the way while realizing my dreams, I couldn’t ask for more.

Your complexion is practically flawless, any beauty secrets?
None in particular; I am blessed or I could thank my parents and family.

With her supple figure and confident attitude and overall beauty, Annie Borgard made a name for herself in Miami’s modeling industry. The business smarts she acquired in that industry has led her to create Borgard Management, her own talent and artist management agency. Her modus operadi thus far is to fill her artist roster with talents based in Haiti, who are looking to market themselves to Haitian-Americans and other members of the Haitian community in the Diaspora. It’s a niche very people have taken note of. But Annie’s sense of awareness and her business acumen has led her to create one of the first agencies to cater to those artists.

Annie hustles and bustles to get her Haiti-based clients gigs in the United States and Canada, while advising them on their image and career moves.

Follow along as your girl Kreyolicious talks to this bold entrepreneur. She’s got pikliz in her malèt (because, well, she’s got too much pikliz to fit into a valiz).

Above: The businesswoman and former model keeping her sense of humor, while keeping her business intact.

Kreyolicious: When did you first realize that you wanted to go into management?
I’m still living a dream. Somewhat awake and sleep…I wonder if that’s possible. I haven’t come to that realization or the reality of it yet. It started [while hanging out] with a group of friends, brainstorming and we wanted to do something, be entrepreneurs. To make a long story short, out of the madness…Annie Borgard is a manager of people.

Kreyolicious: You previously worked as a professional model. What are some of the skills you learned as a model that you find especially helpful?
People. Isn’t it that simple? No matter what you do…at the center of it all, you’ll find and interact with people. Being a model is to convey a sense of confidence, a projection of the self and the surrounding… take any form or shape, a chameleon of some sort…

Kreyolicious: Did you go about making any preparations to help you in the transition from talent to manager?
On-the-job-training is the best way…it came to me out of nowhere. I had to learn, and learn fast. It was new to me. I needed to take the challenges head-on. Thank goodness for technology. This digital age has changed and [keeps] changing the world. It has helped me along the way.

Above: Posing with one of her clients, a singer-model based in Haiti, named Fatima. Photo Credit: Chokarella

Kreyolicious: What is it like managing the careers of artists?
I’m still learning. None of it would’ve been possible without the people around me for their support and time and especially the artists whom have trusted me. They made it easy. The challenges become less stressful because of them.

Above: The entrepreneur and go-getter in-between flights.

Kreyolicious: What sort of obstacles do you run into in the field?
Booking. Finding responsible people to keep and honor their words. Getting the artist from point A to point B and in between. No matter how hectic or chaotic this may sound I like the challenges. They allow me to grow and to let the artist witness the things I am willing to go through to promote their careers

Kreyolicious: You already have some talent on your roster. How did your work relationship with them begin?
Friendship is the starting point. It goes to show what friendship is truly about. How my artists—as talented as they are—were willing to entrust me with their lives and careers. I couldn’t be more grateful to them—which is why I take this very seriously. I am engaged all the way and [am committed] to bringing them success. So far, we’ve experienced success, and a lot of fun. Our bonds have strengthen even more. It is remarkable.

Above: The entrepreneur during her modeling days. Photo Credit: Spex Photo.

Kreyolicious: What would you say to artists out there who would like Annie Borgard to represent them?
I am Annie Borgard…not just a name or a pretty face, but someone you want to meet and know. I have a vision, a defined plan. I work at my craft daily. I hone my skills and to quote Corneille in French: “Je suis jeune, il est vrai mais aux armes bien nées la valeur n’attend point le nombres des années”, which means I’m young, it is true; but the worth of a soul does not depend on age.

Above: The official logo of the entrepreneur’s management firm. The lady is in business, ya’ll.

Kreyolicious: What advice would you give to someone who wants to manage artists?
For anyone who wishes to venture into this world…it’s worth it. It’s wonderful. It’s fun, and it brings a lot of opportunities. But, it’s tough, treacherous and very demanding. If it’s your dream and passion, go for it. It’s a lot of work, and it requires patience—lots of it.

Above: The entrepreneur poses with one of the Haiti-based talents that Borgard Management represents.

Annie Borgard in black photos credit: Elma’s Flaco

FOLLOW ANNIE’S JOURNEY ON INSTAGRAM|