A Model, A Beauty King, A Man On A Mission: Lessons From The Runway

There’s something the runway doesn’t teach you: patience. And pageantry doesn’t just crown you,it calls you higher.

Teddy Rossiter Ogoye
Mr. World Kenya, 2024

When I represented Kenya at the Mr. World competition in Vietnam and walked away as the First Runner-Up for Mr. World Africa, I came back not with a medal around my neck but with a mission etched into my spirit.

Fashion vs. Pageantry – Two Worlds, Two Lessons

In fashion, your walk, your face, your body those are your tools. But in pageantry, your story, your impact, and your vision are your true currency.

The difference? Fashion is about appearance. Pageantry is about influence. And if you’re lucky and intentional, you can merge the two.

Modeling teaches you presence. Pageantry teaches you purpose.

When Vietnam Changed Me

Vietnam was beautiful. But what changed me wasn’t the stage, it was the introspection that followed. I asked myself a hard question: What kind of legacy am I building? When I got back, I gathered a few close friends and we made a commitment to visit the Lang’ata Women’s Prison daycare, where the children of inmates are raised. We carried gifts, yes. But we left with something far more valuable: insight into the emotional and developmental gaps these children face.

That moment redefined what it means to wear a crown. Real pageantry is about creating value. If you’re not solving a problem that’s bigger than you, then what are you doing?

Mental Health and Real Conversations

This past year, I’ve been proud to partner with Mental 360 Kenya. An organization that has given me the space and courage to speak up on something men don’t talk enough about: Mental Health.

We co-created a video campaign that sparked real dialogue around male emotional wellness. The series tackled some of the most important questions men carry in silence:

Why do men stay silent?
What does healing actually look like?
How do we shift from guilt to growth?
Does society reward men for bottling up?

It was vulnerable, raw, and healing. That campaign didn’t just open hearts it opened doors.

I’ve had the privilege of working with Cerave, Benz Living, Connect Coffee, and Thrive Aesthetics Clinic; brands that don’t just look good on paper but align with my values.

Relationships Over Transactions

Modeling is a short game if you’re only chasing cheques. What I’ve learnt is this, the most powerful models are the ones who build relationships and not just portfolios.

Sure, I’ve turned down jobs that didn’t match my energy or vision, even when the money looked good. Why? Because I’m not building for now, I’m building for the next 10 years. If a brand doesn’t make me smile, it won’t help me grow.

That shift in mindset came from experience and from having the right people around me. Angela Ciruma, my stylist of three years, is one of them. She’s helped me shape my visual identity and connect with visionary designers like Yugi Creations, Wildlife Works, and Mabatini. These aren’t just clothes. These are stories stitched in fabric—values worn with pride.

Models Need Purpose Too

Most models want the lights without the weight of responsibility. But in today’s world, being seen isn’t enough you need to make people feel something.

Invest in your body. Take care of your face. But more importantly, invest in your why. Why do you walk? Why do you post? Why should people listen when you speak?

I’ve learned that your appearance opens the door, but your intention keeps it open.

Final Thoughts

We have a long way to go in the pageantry world, especially in Kenya. Right now, many organizations are focused on events, not legacy. But if we can shift the focus from momentary wins to impactful platforms, we can change lives, not just headlines.

Being Mr. World Kenya is an honor. Being a man with a voice, a mission, and the courage to walk it out every day – that’s the real win.