‘The Nigerian industry hasn’t embraced fully the value of plus-size models. There is not much awareness for the community. There is a huge
market for plus-size models in Nigeria and all over Africa for that matter, plus-sizes ranging from 12-18′ – Vivian Adaeze

While the Nigerian modeling industry is seen from the outside as a circle for skinny girls, statistics are continuing to show that plus-size models are adding to the fray. This did not come to me as a surprise, considering the fact that there’s a growing number of plus-size demand for goods in the country. Vivian Adaeze is one of the plus-size models flying the banner for curvy beautiful models in this country.

Based in Abuja, born in Enugu, she’s one adventurous model. She started out as a freelance body part model and later transitioned into a professional plus-size model at the suggestion of model scout and chief editor Models Digest Magazine, Victor Silas. Standing at a height of 5’5, burst, hips and shoe size are 47, 46 and 42 respectively; this brown eyed beauty is aiming to be one of the best in the industry.

Kindly describe your experience as a plus-size model in an industry obsessed with skinny models

Quoting famous fashion designer Coco Chanel “Beauty comes in sizes”. Who is a plus-size model? A plus-size model is a person who is engaged primarily in modeling plus-size clothing. Plus-size models also engage in work that is not strictly related to selling large sized clothing. Plus-size models are also known as “full-figured models”, “extended-sized models”, “outsize models”. Nigeria is in west Africa and the definition of beauty greatly differs from that in western
nations, so why does the modeling industry not reflect the society it is situated in? Nevertheless I have not allowed myself to accept that ideology that modeling agencies in Nigeria favour skinny models (aka the lepas) mostly. I prefer to work with my mindset because I believe in attracting positive energy to my work. But I remember the personal encounter I had with a brand; I was rejected for a TV commercial because the director was of the opinion that I am too busty. He said it might send wrong signals to the public. I respected his decision but I didn’t let his opinion define or stop me, rather it was a huge
motivation. God wouldn’t be wrong to create me in his own likeness and image. So far that has been my only challenging experience in the industry. There is also a belief that skinny models are always more
successful in the industry (huge fallacy).

What is your view of the plus-size modeling industry in Nigeria?

The Nigerian industry hasn’t embraced fully the value of plus-size models. There is not much awareness for the community. There is a huge
market for plus-size models in Nigeria and all over Africa for that matter, plus-sizes ranging from 12-18. Even western nations are also now valuing plus-size models for example Ashley Graham. So why is Nigeria
where a larger percentage of the women are plus-size not doing the same? The plus-size modeling industry in Nigeria has to create more platforms to sponsor plus-size events if not the industry will keep being a silhouette.

Apart from modeling, what other profession would you like to be a part of?

I have always taken a particular interest in acting. I know this
because as a kid in kindergarten and up to my high school days, I have always been in the drama team and I did so well. I would also love to be a Video Jockey (abbreviated VJ or sometimes VeeJay). Lastly, as a graduate and degree holder in Psychology; I am qualified to practice it in any field I intend to. My main focus has always been Clinical Psychology.

– Sesan Adeniji

Culled from Mystreetz Magazine