In Lagos, Elizabeth Elohor is the head of the continent’s largest model agency. In recent years, the big names in fashion and international agencies have turned to her to recruit African models, more and more in demand in the fashion world.
From our correspondent in Lagos,
About fifteen young girls who are barely young are hesitantly walking on their high heels. Everyone is striving to become a top model and has just joined the Beth Model Management Agency, run by Elizabeth Elohor.
This former beauty queen started her business in 2004, but it got off to a tough start: “Agencies abroad limited the number of black models they could recruit. They took one or two, maximum. It was really difficult to place a black model internationally and it took a very long time to start my agency. But there has been a change in mentality over the past five years. ”
A sector that has been structured over time
But in recent years, the fashion sector has been structured in Africa. Fashion weeks organized on the continent provide not only visibility to new designers but also to young models who are increasingly in demand.
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“I also think that the big brands at one point also realized that their customers were also black. But I think they found out because the fashion industry was growing in Africa. And because all these African fashion weeks are now internationally recognized. ”
Fifty Nigerian models discovered by the Beth Model Agency are now being signed abroad. With real success stories, such as the much-sought-after Mayowa Nicholas, who especially paraded for the lingerie brand Victoria Secrets.
“Modeling has completely changed my life”
At the agency’s office, we also meet Olaniyan Olamijuwon. Only 21 years old, he paraded for the greatest designers in Paris and Milan. “After signing a contract with Beth Model Management 2018, I participated in the Elite Model Look competition, which makes it possible to discover models from the continent internationally. After that, agencies based in Europe began to approach me. Modeling has just changed my life. Now it is I who support my family financially. It made my life easier. ”
In recent months, the health crisis has complicated things for African models who can no longer travel. Marius Isikalu is one of the employees of Beth Model Management.
“We had models who would take part in parades, we had models who were in Nigeria just to renew their visas before returning to Paris or Milan. But we had to cancel many things due to locking. And one of our biggest challenges today is to ensure that international bodies do not differ from our role models, because many are dependent on them. ”
Nigeria’s large market also offers many stores for future models.
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