Antonella Ghonda Prestigious Deaf Fashion Model and Manifester: Breaking Barriers
Deaf model Antonella Ghonda broke new ground at this season’s New York Fashion Week (NYFW) by walking the runway with an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter by her side, a meaningful moment for disability representation in an industry long criticized for its lack of accessibility.
For the Belgian-born, Maryland-based model, this marks not only a personal breakthrough but a wider shift in how fashion shows are beginning to embrace inclusive practices. “At first, it was hard,” Ghonda shared. “But I kept manifesting for the industry to become easier and more accessible for me. And I’ve seen so much progress. This was the first time I had a sign language interpreter at a major show, and it meant so much to me.” Antonella’s participation with an ASL interpreter is being recognized as a quiet but significant moment in fashion’s move toward inclusivity. Industry observers have pointed out that, despite public commitments to diversity, the infrastructure backstage at major runway events still caters to a narrow definition of ability.
Her experience at NYFW wasn’t just about personal celebration; it was about laying the groundwork for others. By walking with interpreter support, Ghonda hopes to normalize the presence of disabled talent in the industry and prompt fashion organizers to think proactively about access.
“I know young deaf girls are watching, and I want them to know: you don’t have to change who you are to succeed.”
Antonella’s backstory:
Antonella Ghonda was born in Belgium to Congolese parents and grew up surrounded by four older siblings. Raised in an environment of creativity, discipline, and strong cultural identity, she developed a deep connection with fashion as a form of self-expression from an early age.
“Everybody knew me for having amazing clothes everywhere I went,” she recalls. “It wasn’t just dressing up, it was my language.”
Her love for fashion transitioned into professional modeling in an unusual way. Unlike most newcomers who spend years working their way up, Ghonda’s first major job was at New York Fashion Week. “That’s where everything began for me,” she said. “I was given a chance that usually takes years to earn.”
Since then, she has walked runways in fashion capitals including Paris, Milan, and Miami. Her presence is always commanding, with six-inch heels, a magnetic expression, and an aura that leaves no doubt about her place in the spotlight.
What led you to modeling?
What has led me to my modeling career was my passion for clothes and modeling for clothes growing up and everyone knowing me for having amazing fashion sense as well as being my own inspiration. I genuinely wanted to become great, be someone that I admire and now I am becoming that.
Redefining the Model Archetype
Antonella’s presence challenges long-held ideas about what it means to be a fashion model. Her style, elegant yet bold, stands out on and off the runway. She favors striking silhouettes, unexpected combinations, and always high heels.
“My biggest fashion inspiration is honestly myself,” she said with characteristic confidence. “Right now, I’m loving bold combinations like streetwear paired with high heels. What I’m not loving? Newsie hats and multiple belts. Those trends need to go!”
But her impact goes deeper than visual aesthetics. “People often misunderstand models,” “They think we’re emotionless, or that we all behave the same way. But we’re individuals. We have emotions. We have voices, whether we speak them or sign them.”
“I am often the only person like me in the room.” Explain
Yes, I have yet to walk into a modeling room where there were other deaf people but also because I fearlessly march to the beat of my own drum. How I have achieved my modeling dreams was genuinely through my spiritual gifts and courage.
Tell us about your upcoming projects.
My next project is working with Brainz Magazine as they have reached out to me which has me super excited because someone I looked up to is on the cover of that magazine as well as walking in London Fashion Week in September which has me super excited because that means I have FINALLY ACCOMPLISHED walking for all Four Capitals which has been my goal!!!
How are you able to attract miracles?
I’m able to attract miracles, trusting in the power of my mind to turn things around in my favor and I do so by meditating and visualizing my modeling success a lot which hardwires my brain to seek out brilliant simplest trustworthy and easiest opportunities, making it easier for me to rise up faster in all Four Capitals and in the modeling fast. It also helps to keep internally selecting the favorable story knowing that my inner power has a magnetic pull on the outcome I want. Persistence comes in through daily affirmations and complete trust the opportunities reveal themselves as what we want wants us back. I go within where all of the answers are. When you go within, one magnetizes their dreams to them since everything we want is within us. I completely trusted my intuition when I went to Paris for Paris Fashion Week and the modeling casting almost said no until I went inwards and was aware there is another version of me that already has that modeling job and fortunately, the Fashion Designer saw me as I caught her eye and her decision had overrided the modeling casting judges as she wanted me in the show. That’s my definition of utilizing the power of the mind to turn outcomes into my favor. Our minds are truly miraculous beyond measure and I use it a lot to take me far in the modeling industry. They say to succeed in the industry you need luck. But I say all you need is just the power of the mind. Success is there, it’s not far away. It’s within our minds. And I genuinely think people would be surprised to learn that about me. I use my mind a lot to guide me through the industry when I didn’t have an interpreter. Our subconscious mind already has all of the answers we seek and the outcomes we want so I was genuinely so fortunate to be selected for many modeling castings despite not hearing them and the fast-pacedness of my surroundings.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
I am a trained esthetician. I completed my studies before transitioning fully into modeling. “If I hadn’t become a model, I would’ve been an esthetician. That’s still a part of me.”
Her background in skincare and wellness gives her a unique edge in an industry where appearance is heavily scrutinized. She advocates for beauty routines that emphasize self-love over perfection. “It’s not just about how you look, it’s how you feel.”
How exciting was it to walk for the New York Fashion Week?
Walking for New York Fashion Week was GENUINELY SO EXCITING AND ASTONISHING! I was genuinely mind blown when I saw I was presented with an ASL interpreter, and I knew everything changed from there. I knew I was doing something big. But I didn’t expect that it was THIS BIG and is actually inspiring people everywhere, both not disabled and disabled.
Who would you like to work with?
I would love to work with Vogue, Dior and Pharrell next, I am currently manifesting them and I am not stopping until they work with me haha. Another reason why I succeed is because of my internal persistence of having the outcome in my inner world and what you have within inevitably reflects. Our inner monologue impacts our future way more than we think.
Vision for the Future: Inclusion Through Leadership
Looking forward, Antonella is planning to launch her own modeling agency, one designed to mentor and represent diverse talent. The vision is to create a space where authenticity, disability inclusion, and representation are not add-ons, but central pillars.
“I want to build something that didn’t exist when I was starting out,” she said. “An agency where people who feel overlooked get the training, support, and visibility they deserve.”
The agency will focus not only on model development but also on educating brands and show organizers about how to create inclusive spaces. “This isn’t just about opportunity. It’s about education,” she explained. “The more people understand what accessibility really means, the better the industry becomes.”
Beyond Modeling: Esthetics and Personal Empowerment
Few know that Antonella is also a trained esthetician, having completed her studies before transitioning fully into modeling. “If I hadn’t become a model, I would’ve been an esthetician,” she said. “That’s still a part of me.”
Her background in skincare and wellness gives her a unique edge in an industry where appearance is heavily scrutinized. She advocates for beauty routines that emphasize self-love over perfection. “It’s not just about how you look, it’s how you feel,” she said.
A Role Model by Necessity, Not Design
While Ghonda is increasingly recognized as a role model, she doesn’t approach her work with that intention. “I didn’t set out to inspire anyone,” she explained. “I just wanted to walk the runway, express myself, and do what I love. But if my presence makes someone feel seen, then that’s a blessing.”
She adds that the responsibility of representation isn’t something she takes lightly. “I know people are watching. I know young deaf girls are watching. And I want them to know: you don’t have to change who you are to succeed. You have to become more of who you already are.”
Her current goal? To walk for Dior, a milestone she believes is within reach. “It’s a dream that resonates with me fiercely,” she said. “And I know I’ll make it happen.”
