AfNTM – Remember Nigeria’s Joyce Zi Chidebe?
It is a fact that Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the 8th most populous in the world. Back in 2013 when Joyce Zi Chidebe from Lagos entered Africa’s Next Top Model (AfNTM) she had high hopes of becoming a supermodel one day. Long after the competition closed, we’re going to have a look at what impact the competition had on Joyce’s modelling career and what she’s been up to most recently.
With encouragement from friends and family, Joyce entered several beauty pageants as a youngster, but her primary focus was on education. She studied computer science at the University of Benin before deciding to give professional modelling a try.
Joyce attended the Lagos casting of the competition and her distinct blonde hair stood rout immediately.
She managed to impress the judges, especially Nigeria’s very own supermodel Oluchi Onweagba. Joyce became the second contestant to enter the AfNTM house in South Africa. She did well in the competition, but was unfortunately eliminated in episode 6, which was a very challenging photo shoot; for a township couture-themed ad for cellular phone network Etisalat. They also model the latest collection from iconic South African fashion designer Marianne Fassler, while photographer Freddie Child-Villiers had them wrangle a pair of goats for the shoot. You can watch Joyce in action at 23:10 – 24:36 in episode 6 below. . . . The AfNTM competition may have ended, but it was just the start for Joyce’s modelling endeavours. She has gone on to become one of AfNTM hardest working and most popular models.
Take 2 A video posted by Joyce ngozi chidebe (@j.n.c__) on
Since 2013 she has worked with a variety of make up artists, models, photographers, fashion designers, clothing stores and brands.
LAX Nigeria and Greyvelvetstores are two Nigerian Fashion Store based in Lekki, Lagos she models clothing for.
One of her most recent activities was walking runway for Heineken Lagos Fashion and design Week on October 28th 2015.This year marks the 5th anniversary of the event, which runs for 4 days.
According to Lagos Fashion and Design Week (LFDW), it is a multiday fashion event platform that aims to drive the Nigerian (and, ultimately, the African fashion industry) by bringing together buyers, consumers and the media to view the latest collections from African designers in the fashion capital of Lagos, Nigeria.
Event sponsors included Maybelline NY, Sterling Bank and Uber Technologies. Media partners for the event consisted of BellaNaija, Genevieve Magazine and The Guardian Newspaper to name but a few. Chidi Nwankwo-CEO, Creative Dirctor, Photographer of Chyder Photography and Kola Oshalusi of kolaoshalusi.com were some of the top photographers enlisted for the event.
Aside from walking the runway, Joyce was also featured in a multitude of adverrtising campaigns for brands such as Funke Adepojuu’s. Featuring in their beautiful ‘A Very Floral Dream’ 2016 collection. With a strong emphasis on minimal, structured silhouettes, using laser cut fabrics, bright colours and prints.
Photo Credits – Photographer: Horpload Works (Instagram: @HorploadWorks), Makeup: Eseose Akhetuamen (Instagram: @EseoseAkhetuamen), Art Direction: Studio Matte (Instagram: @Studio.Matte ) and of course the lovely Joyce Chidebe as Model
Maki Oh’s Autumn Winter 15/16 Look Book collection, ‘Mami Wata’ explores the idea of an African Mermaid. The collection also explores the idea of adopted identities as result of West Africa’s long history with cultural appropriation. It is an idea that has spun through all Maki Oh collections. According to the collection brief, designer Amaka Osakwe says:
As an advocate for all things truly African, Maki Oh uses true African textiles like Adire, Aso-oke, Akwa Ocha, Oja and more to continue to illustrate to the world (and Africans) that we have desirable, couture quality local textiles.
Photographer: Reze Bonna
Joyce also features in Andre Iyamah, Swimwear SS 16 collection. The Andreiyamah brand is owned by Nigerian fashion designer Dumebi Iyamah. The store is located in Ontario Canada, though many items are available to purchase online at the official website so, technically, you can get them anywhere around the world. The Swimwear SS 2016 collection includes a variety of gorgeous swimsuits and capes.
We are excited to see what upcoming projects Joyce will involve with in 2016/17.
Why not keep up to date with Joyce by following her on Twitter and Instagram.
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