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 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”.