One of the newest emerging faces on the modelling scene, Tunisian Hanaa Ben Abdesslem has expressed her desire to change the perception of modelling in the Middle East.

Ben Abdesslem recently spoke to New York Magazine’s Fashion Blog, The Cut, about how she initially got into modelling having come from a country that she admits has clear misconceptions about the industry: “At the age of 5, I would tiptoe through my house, pretending I was walking on a catwalk.

“In high school, though, I was watching a Lebanese TV show, Mission Fashion, which is the equivalent of Project Runway in the U.S., and I sent in my application to participate. Then I won second prize. A year later, I met an Arab woman, Sophie Galal, who shared my views and ideas about changing and exposing the true challenges of the modelling profession for the Arab world. She soon became my manager.”

Continuing, she told The Cut the one thing she would change about the modelling industry if she could: “I would like to see diversity within the industry continue to grow.

“I can speak for the people in my country, Tunisia, and there is a lot they don’t know about this industry. Primarily, they have this misconception of what modelling is about. Modelling can be a career choice, too. I plan to change this misconception within my culture.”

Having rocked the catwalks of Ralph Lauren, Anna Sui, and Oscar de la Renta at her first New York Fashion Week this year, Talent Management expects this model will have a long and fulfilling career in the industry – an industry which she hopes will integrate more of the Arab community in the future.