Meet Tanasha Donna Oketch | The Kenyan/Italian fashion model
My name is Tanasha Donna Barbieri Oketch a.k.a Zahara Zaire and I am 20 years old… half Kenyan and Italian. I grew up in Kenya and left for Europe when I was 11. While in Europe, I had opportunities to get engaged in the modeling and fashion industry and to participate in various events such as the Miss Africa Belgium but I wanted to come home and participate in miss world Kenya instead. To represent home from home, not from a foreign country. Full feature in TAP MAG issue 5 > Link
Tanasha Donna Barbieri Oketch
Tanasha Donna
Belgium -
While in Belgium, I studied tourism and can speak 5 languages: English, Swahili, French, Dutch and Spanish.
On Kenya and being home -
I’m home here; my whole family is here except my mother (still in Belgium). I wanted to come home to pursue my passion for fashion and modeling and am doing that now. I might even get into acting and singing.
Local Kenyan modeling industry
We all know that the modeling industry in Kenya still has to grow. People don’t prioritize fashion and modeling here. Kenyans would rather spend money on “more relevant things” than buy a nice suit or an elegant dress but I plan to change that!
What’s next for Tanasha Oketch?
I am soon starting up my personal vlog based on my experiences in Kenya, my projects, shoots, etc.
Tanasha Donna is The African Perspective Magazine Issue 5 featured model. Read the issue for free on this Link
Modeling in Kenya is both challenging and exciting. It can be a bit overwhelming when you are starting, at times you will have to do collaborations with photographers, stylists and makeup artists just to build your profile.