By Yemisi Suleiman

As you read this, 20 young aspiring models will be slugging it out on the runway, for a chance at international stardom, as the grand finale of the Elite Model Look Nigeria 2017 takes centre stage tonight. Holding at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, this year’s edition which is the 10th anniversary, will see the overall winner of the Nigerian National Finals, follow in the footsteps of fellow supermodels such as Mayowa Nicholas, Victor Ndigwe, Omoh Momoh and recently Davidson Obennebo. who became the very first African to win the World Finale in 33 years.
As the event marks ten years today with the emergence of a new winner,  we take a look at some past winners strutting the runways for some of the world’s biggest Fashion brands.

Victor Ndigwe

VICTOR NDIGWE

Victor was discovered at the Elite Model Look Nigeria 2014 casting which he attended after being convinced by his sister to try out modelling. He emerged winner in the male category of the finals. He progressed to the Elite Model Look World Finals in China where he won the hearts of the agents and immediately got contracts from Elite.
Victor is currently signed to Beth Model Management Africa (mother agency), Elite Paris, Amsterdam, New York, Barcelona, London, Denmark and Ever Models Korea. He’s walked in Paris and Milan fashion weeks for major designers like Balmain, Kenzo, Hermes, Ami, Ermenegildo Zegna, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Missoni and a host of others.
He’s featured in a campaign for Missoni, Benneton and Hazzy’s and shot various lookbooks. He also featured on models.com as the breakout model of the year.

Mayowa Nicholas

Mayowa Nicholas

Mayowa was scouted by Beth Model Management (mother agency) at the age of 17 on the streets of Lagos on her way to the saloon; she had no interest in modelling. The scouts persuaded her to attend the EMLN casting. She convinced her mother to take her to the Elite Model Look casting.
She won at the competition and progressed to represent Nigeria at the Elite Model Look World finals, in China, where she emerged Top 10, winning a 3-year contract with Elite.
Mayowa made her debut in the international modelling scene with a feature in Vogue Italia. She is signed to Beth Model Management (mother agency), Elite Paris, Elite Milan, Elite New York and Elite Amsterdam to name a few.
In less than three years, she has walked on the runways of Paris, Milan, London and New York fashion weeks for every major designer: Hermes,
Calvin Klein, Kenzo, Balmain, Channel, Dior, D&G and a host of others.
She has also shot campaigns for Dolce & Gabbana, Miu Miu, H&M, Marc Jacobs, Yves Saint Laurent, Bennetton and Calvin Klein.  Her editorial credits include: Harper’s Bazaar, W magazine, American Vogue and Dazed Magazine.
Mayowa is currently one of the most sought-after Black female models in the world.

Omoh Momoh

Omoh Momoh

Omoh Momoh, the Edo State, born model, moved from obscurity to fame in 2016 when she, not only participated in the 9th season of  Elite Model Look Nigeria but also came out crowned the winner amongst 18 others. Upon winning, she was signed with the best agency in Africa and was sent to participate in the world finals alongside her co-winner. Although she didn’t win, she has started a piquant modelling career which has become the envy of many from all and sundry. She has taken part in major runway shows in and outside Nigeria,  worked with top photographers and also done jobs for many brands.

Davidson Obennebo

Davidson

Davidson was scouted by Beth Model Management (mother agency) on Instagram in 2016. He competed in the Elite Model Look Nigeria and emerged winner; progressing to the world finals where he made history as the first ever Black model to emerge as the worldwide winner of Elite Model Look in 36 years.
Within 2 months, Davidson kicked off his career with a worldwide exclusive for Versace (opening and closing the show) and walked at the Paris and Milan fashion weeks for various notable designers; he also copped a Versace campaign shoot (unreleased).
Davidson is signed to Beth Model Management Africa (mother agency), Elite Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Milan, London and Denmark and is currently in Europe for the SS18 Men’s Fashion Week.