Supermodel and winner of arguably, Africa’s biggest model talent hunt reality TV show, Nigeria’s Next Super Model Aisha Bello won the coveted Prize in Fashion and Style at the Future Awards Africa 2013 which held on Friday December 20th 2013.
The keenly contested category which included former Miss World, Agbani Darego and Lagos top celebrity fashion designer, Yomi Casuals as contenders, was swooped by the 24-year-old international high fashion model.
Bello who won Nigeria’s Next Super Model 2009, a prize which came with a car, is signed to ISIS Models owned by Joan Okorodudu, described by Vogue Italia as the ‘God mother of the Nigerian modeling industry’.
The Trent’s Ani Afuekwe caught up with Aisha Bello this morning for an exclusive interview. Enjoy!
How was your reign as Nigeria’s Next Super Model and how did it change your life?
I was very excited to win. It was a stepping stone for me, it gave me a platform internationally and locally. It developed my me as a model, and changed me positively in all aspects of life. I worked with many brands. I achieved a lot. Things I wouldn’t have gotten as a regular model I got them by being a Nigeria’s Next Super Model.
Which countries have you travelled to for modelling?
I have modeled in Bulgaria, Turkey, Gambia, United States of America, England, France, Malta, and South Africa.
What brands have you modeled for?
In Nigeria I have modeled for Deola Sagoe, Moofa, Suchi, and many others. Internationally I have modeled for Rachael Roy, David Clively, Andrae Aquino, Danny Hartrech, and many others.
What fashion shows have you done?
I have done shows too numerous to count. A few I can mention are; New York Fashion Week, London Fashion Week, Washington D.C Fashion Week, Gambian Fashion Week, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, Malta, Cape Town Fashion Week, BET’s Rip The Runway, and I represented Nigeria in the Best Model of the Year contest in Bulgaria. That came with the package of winning Nigeria’s Next Super Model.
What was your experience at BET’s Rip The Runway?
It was fantastic. Selita Ebanks (the Victoria Secret model) was the host, it was fantastic. We walked the runway while international stars like Keri Hilson and Wiz Khalifa performed, it was like a dream come true. We shared the stage with the singers, at that point the spotlight was on both of us; the stars in music and the stars in modelling. During rehearsals we got to interact with the singers. It was a great experience I would love to have again.
Which is your most memorable fashion show?
New York Fashion Week definitely. It was so exciting walking the runway with super models from all over the world. As a young girl I was so proud of myself.
What awards have you won in your modelling career?
I won the African Model of the Year in Best Models of the World 2009 in Bulgaria. I won the Best Model of the Contest in Nigeria’s Next Super Model 2009 where I was crowned Nigeria’s next Super Model. I won Eloy Model of the Year in 2010. And most recent is the Prize in Fashion & Style at the Future Awards Africa 2013.
How has your career with ISIS Models been?
It is a very calm and welcoming agency. Every model that comes in finds it hard to leave because ISIS pampers their models. The agency supports and develops their models careers. Our chief executive, Joan Okorodudu, is very hardworking and nice. She’s passionate about taking her models to the next level. She is always online checking for what’s new and trendy in the industry, getting us international connects. She treats us so well. When we travel abroad for official duty she takes care of all expenses, she even goes as far as taking us shopping for anything we want. Models from other agencies are always envious when they see and hear what ISIS Models does for us. They say, “I have never met a manager like your manager”.
ISIS Models is the best. If I ever leave ISIS Models it means that I am retiring from modelling.
What advice do you have for upcoming models?
The advice I have for upcoming models is that they should be prayerful because there is a lot of envy in the modelling industry. I was poisoned once, but thank God I survived it. They should also be patient because modelling doesn’t bring the big bucks early. Be humble, doors open for you when you are humble.
So that’s my advice; be prayerful, be humble, and hardworking.
