Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

A Change in Africa’s Modeling World

[post_slider]

When one hears the words modeling, models, or fashion, one usually thinks of countries outside of the African continent. We think of states such as the United States of America, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, among many other countries. The most popular events in fashion include London Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week, and Arab Fashion Week. Rarely do people consider fashion on the African continent. However, that is gradually changing. We are getting on the map of international fashion. The African modeling industry reached a tipping point in 2010 when South Africa and Nigeria hosted fashion weeks that people recognized on the international stage as “select” in the fashion world.

The Black Lives Matter movement, as well as high-profile advocates for the beauty of black women, are also helping to shift global trends.

What does Marius Isikalu say?

Marius Isikalu is a collaborator with Beth Model Mgt. Marius says:

“We did not have a modelling industry back then. It was just freelance models all over the whole place. Shows would call and the models would just show up from everywhere. So, you know, she (Elizabeth Elohor) sort of pioneered the modelling industry. We do tend to see a lot of black models and Nigerian models specifically, walking the runways abroad, doing campaigns and all of that. “

Brief Description of Beth Model Management

Beth Model Management’s mission is to provide a platform for young and aspiring models to achieve their objectives and goals. The brand seeks to promote models by collaborating with local brands as well as internationally with foreign brands looking for creative ways to promote their corporate creative enterprises. Beth focuses on discovering new talent and transforming them into working superstars, with partners in NY, London, Paris, and Milan.

Who’s Elizabeth Elohor?

Elizabeth Elohor is the head of Beth Models. When Elohor returned from London in 2004 to launch the Beth Model Agency, she was breaking new ground. When there was no Fashion Week on the continent, very few local designers, and little high-end fashion, a former top model founded Nigeria’s first modeling agency.

With the exception of iconic figures like Naomi Campbell, Donyale Luna, and Beverly Johnson, there were few black faces on the covers of women’s magazines prior to the 2000s. In Nigeria, Africa’s most populous state with more than 200 million people, the few who dared to venture into modeling at the time were self-sufficient, vulnerable, and had to distribute their own portfolios to firms specializing in events and advertising. 

The Future Face Africa

The modeling world of Africa has changed. Africa seems to be the future. From lacking a good modeling industry to having the largest cast of models in Africa. Model casting simply involves a model giving a snippet of himself or herself before beginning the real job. More importantly, the growing modeling sector is providing more job opportunities. We are seeing the emergence of makeup artists, several actors, designers, and also professional fashion photographers.

Kola Oshalusi, a well-known Nigerian fashion photographer, has also witnessed the rise in demand and professionalization of African modeling over the last 10 years.

MORE:

TRENDING

Related Posts

Illuminating the Promise of Africa.

Receive captivating stories direct to your inbox that reveal the cultures, innovations, and changemakers shaping the continent.

    Follow us!
    Copy Link