Helping Hand Mission Drum Major Willie Thorpe Marches To Rogue Fashen Modeling Success

Raleigh, NC – Most of us will recognize Willie Thorpe as Drum Major of the renowned Helping Hand Mission Band in Raleigh, as he has been with the organization for over 29 years. Many of us may not know about his aspirations and successes in the fashion industry.

Thorpe, along with founding members Carla Davis and Mychal Davis, started Rogue Fashen Modeling in 2018 but did not open its doors until January 2, 2019. Only being in business for almost a year and a half, the modeling agency and its models have been extremely successful having participated thus far in New York Fashion Week, Durham Fashion Week, The BBU Awards Fashion Show, Atlanta Fashion Week Battle of the Strut Fashion Show, and the NC Fashion Expo (Breast Cancer Awareness) Fashion Show.

Located at 404 E. Main Street in Garner, NC, Rogue Fashen Modeling is a school and training center offering comprehensive courses for aspiring models. The agency represents males and females of all ages that are interested in fashion, editorial, beauty, commercial, and runway arenas.

Thorpe brings 15 years of experience to the table. Born and raised in Raleigh, he got his associate degree in business from Wake Tech in 2016 and went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in marketing from William Peace University (Raleigh) in 2018. He is a Hap Tech at Rusmed Consultants and a manager at Helping Hand Mission.

Willie Thorpe embraced the opportunity to tell us more about himself and Rogue Fashen Modeling including sharing the photos below:

Dawn Mikayla (DM): What was your motivation for establishing Rogue Fashion Modeling?

Willie Thorpe: My motivation is God and then my models. God never gave up on me so I never give up my models.

DM: How did you come up with the name?

Willie Thorpe: The first part Rogue came from the X-Men. There was a character by the name of Rogue. Fashen came from Carla Davis who wanted it to be a conversation piece so she took out the ‘i-o’ and replace it with an ‘e’. She also turned the ‘e’ backward to be different. We gave the concept to Mychal Davis and he came up with the logo.

DM: How did you prepare to run your business?

Willie Thorpe: My fashion experience consists of 10 years of modeling experience and 5 years of high-end fashion shows. It is truly a gift from God.

DM: Who are your personal and/or business influences?

Willie Thorpe: My personal influence would be my mother Mrs. Dianne Perry and my sister Tonia Thorpe they showed me how to be strong and to love God. My mother is my ROCK. She loves me ‘in spite of.’ My sister…she is my protector; she makes sure that I am okay and that I am always doing the right thing. Professionally it would be Sylvia Wiggins. She has taught me everything I know about business. She showed me how to do things with integrity, love, and compassion. These women have truly made a big impact on who I am today.

DM: In what ways has your business changed since you first got started?

Willie Thorpe: When we first started no one knew who Rogue Fashen Modeling was but now people are calling asking us can they use our models in their shows or can I put on a show for them. It is amazing to see the growth.

DM: Tell us about an event in which you’ve participated.

Willie Thorpe: We have been New York Fashion Week, Durham Fashion Week, The BBU Awards Fashion Show, Atlanta Fashion Week Battle of the strut Fashion Show, and the NC Fashion Expo (Breast Cancer Awareness) Fashion Show.

DM: What event would you like to produce or be a part of in the future? Why?

Willie Thorpe: Rogue Fashen would love to produce shows and do more to raise awareness of Autism. A lot of my models’ parents went to HBCUs and we would love to honor them. Finally, Autism is dear to my heart because two of my models have Autism.