Not many people can say they’ve missed class to attend New York Fashion Week. An even smaller group can say they missed class to attend NYFW and walk in a show. Well for Antoine Manning, a sophomore at Georgia State University, this was his reality.
Source: @Glascovisuals
Manning landed the closing position walking in the Father Akki SS’19 New York fashion show held on September 8th.
Manning described the experience as nerve-wracking but the day of the show started off as if it was any other. He woke up in his mother’s Bronx apartment, arrived at the show venue, got dressed and conversed with the other models. But, it wasn’t until it was time for him to walk that the magnitude of what he was about to do crept upon him.
“This is real but it’s not gonna be that bad,” is what went Manning’s head right before going out on the stage.
The stage hand told him to go, and then it was only him, the bright lights, and the stage. He glided down the stage with ease, not letting his nerves get the best of him. He laughed his way off stage amazed by what he just accomplished.
Social media is what helped him land this position. During the summer of 2018, he recalled seeing Father Akki post on his Instagram an open casting call for models. He direct messaged his headshots but still didn’t hear back for a month. The designer posted on his social media account again asking for models, and Manning reached out again, but still no response. He decided to forget about it, then about a week later he received a message saying he got in.
Source: Avanto/@avantogarde
With such a major accomplishment under his belt, Manning hasn’t been modeling that long. His first experience came in the summer of 2017. While visiting his mother in New York, he was approached to come to a casting call for 2017 NYFW.
“People had model cards, I don’t even know what none of those things are, I wasn’t presentable, it was so bad,” he said. He didn’t make it, but it was only motivation for something bigger. “Next time I’m not getting told no,” Manning said.
His future goals include walking in three shows in next year’s fashion week as an unsigned model. He says he’ll know he made it when his money finally matches what he’s doing, he’s recognized, and compared to modeling legends such as Naomi Campbell and Tyson Beckford. He also expressed that he’ll know he’s obtained success when his voice matters to the masses.
“I just don’t wanna be another person, because I’m not another person. I know my worth,” He said when asked about his goals.
Manning, being described as humble, spiritual and dedicated, gave some words of wisdom to those wanting to chase a dream. “What’s stopping you…. If you know that your dream is right, that its pure, and its genuine and it’s true, what stopping you from chasing your dream ‘cause God got your back.”
Source: Elizabeth Wirija/@elizabethwirija
Manning was inspiring to talk to. He spoke a lot about following his own dreams. What inspires him to keep going is that fact that there is a 50/50 at failing in anything you do.
“You can fail at doing something you don’t want to do, why put time into something that I don’t care about and still fail when I can put my time into something I love to do and still possibly fail, so it’s still 50/50 regardless, so ima take that risk, Ima fall but I not gonna fail.” Manning said.
His faith plays a large role in his life and his success. He believes that he will never fail but just take a set back through God’s will.
“God is fixing me, molding me, and working in me, and also working with me in my dreams. I’m not perfect, I’m just a man”
Antoine Manning is a star in the making. Through his work and dedication, he is sure to be someone in the future to look out for in the fashion industry.