Nigerian Fashion Industry Is Next Big Thing – Agbani Darego

A former beauty queen and former Miss
World, Agbani Darego has said that the fast
growing fashion industry in Nigeria will be
the “next big thing” in the international
market.
“I am excited for where we are right now
and I know the fashion industry in Nigeria
is going to be the next big thing, in my
opinion,” she said while speaking on
Channels Television’s breakfast programme,
Sunrise, on Saturday.
Speaking about the life of a model, the 31
year old fashion icon, said the profession is
not as glamorous as people think. “You
have to be professional; you have to be on
time. It’s not as glamorous as people think
it is.”
“The process it takes to achieve the finished
work which people see is a lot of work,” she
said, adding that, “you are in hair and
makeup for hours. You are on your feet all
day long”.
Darego also confirmed her plans to leave
the run way and move into the designing
aspect of fashion although “modelling,
obviously was my first love in the industry”.
Ms Darego expressed pleasure at progress
so far in the fashion industry, adding that,
“we still have a little way to go”.
She stated that there is a huge difference
between what the industry is now
compared to what it was when she
debuted.
“You start and you grow,” she said.
“I am very blessed with the progress we
have accomplished so far”.
The competition in Nigeria is becoming
stiffer as many brands in the country shoot
their commercials in other countries like
South Africa thereby diminishing the
opportunities available for Nigerian
models.
Agbani Darego explained that most brands
don’t understand the benefits models bring
to their products. “Yes you may have the
most amazing designs but if you don’t have
the right model to help you market, then
I’m sorry, you are not going to sell to
anyone”.
She added that “as soon as we Nigerians
recognise that then the modelling industry
in Nigeria is going to grow even further
than its doing already”.