By Josfyn Uba
Stella Oganwu is a Switzerland based Nigerian model and fashion entrepreneur. For her, growing up having lost her mother at a tender age wasn’t easy and didn’t get the opportunity to follow my dreams early enough as she would have loved to but her father, David Oganwu stood in firmly, wearing both shoes of parenting while graciously supporting his young daughter’s dreams of becoming a model when she finally found her feet.
Having navigated through life’s turns and valleys, Oganwu, the founder of Stelwith_Class Cosmetics, African-inspired beauty products is ready to give back to her roots and the society that shaped her identity. She is presently planning a beauty/ fashion show themed “Bridging Cultures, Defining Trends”
In this interview, Oganwu told Daily Sun, she is poised to celebrate this dynamism by bringing together leading designers, beauty experts, and industry professionals from her home country, Nigeria and Switzerland. She gave insight into her journey, motivations, and the impact of her initiatives while inspiring the next generation of young girls in Nigeria
Can you share a bit about your journey into the modeling industry? What inspired you to pursue this career?
As a little girl growing up, I discovered my talent but I didn’t put in the needed effort into it because of school while in Nigeria. After I relocated to Switzerland, I needed to learn the language first before I could integrate and found my way into the modeling industry. I started by doing lots of researching on the Internet. I also started by applying online for photo sections. I was inspired by the word of God which says that we should use our talents. I just believed that I will make it through my talent and with God by my side
What role did your Nigerian heritage play in shaping your identity as a model?
I love my country Nigeria and I am proud of my Nigerian identity everywhere I go because we are blessed and talented. I started getting involved in our annual cultural events in different cities. I brought it in our vibrant culture and energy. I represented my Nigeria in my school. Everyone wanted to know why you were different from others.
Who or what has been your biggest inspiration in both your modeling career and your desire to give back to Nigeria?
I believe in the futures of the young ones and our children. I saw a lot of children that didn’t have a voice or the opportunities to become who they wanted to be. It encouraged me to work hard so that these children will get a platform where they can openly express themselves and aspire to succeed.
There are children that do not have anything or anyone to care for them and they need guardian, care and support. From this point was where the thought of where Stella’s Orphanage Initiative aimed at giving helping hands to the less privileged ones was birthed.
What motivated you to organize a modeling pageant specifically aimed at inspiring young people in Nigeria?
I remembered, one time hearing a lot of things that some young ones needs to go through before they can participate in some events or pageantry what they are asked to do and so on. It broke my heart and I have also seen and experienced such which give me the push to keep going and not to pull back. In the meantime, the requirements of some modeling agencies are so not encouraging. “Let me explain this”.
Before your career has started they have killed it. Why did I say so? Look at this time we are in, you can’t expect everyone to be 90 60 90 figure, or 5,9 feet and above. We are all wonderful and beautifully made by God so everyone deserves the opportunity to present themselves. But these people will bring you down before allowing you to show your talent. I am 1.68cm tall and I was inspired from Marilyne Monroe. She was not a very tall model but a talented woman. When I saw her modeling with the tallest models that was when I knew I am in the right direction. I didn’t care about the requirements of the agencies anymore and I decided to do things on my own. I am encouraging every young Nigerians not to give up but keep pushing and God will elevate you to where you will be accepted the way you are.
Can you tell me about your event coming up here in Lagos soon?
It is the Swiss/Nigeria Beauty & Fashion Exhibition. It will be held on July 3, this month. The idea is to help the less privileged ones and also to recognize the creative people.
The beauty and fashion industries in both Switzerland and Nigeria are vibrant and rapidly evolving. “Bridging Cultures, Defining Trends” aims to celebrate this dynamism by bringing together leading designers, beauty experts, and industry professionals from both countries.
This exhibition will feature fashion shows showcasing the latest collections of Nigerian designers. There will be beauty demonstrations & workshops featuring Stelwith_class Cosmetics’ innovative products and techniques as well as insights from Nigerian beauty experts.
There will be cultural fusion which blends Swiss precision and innovation with Nigerian vibrancy and creativity.
What exactly do you hope to achieve with the Swiss/ Nigeria Beauty & Fashion Exhibition given the fact that there are many projects like that?
It is to foster cultural exchange and collaboration between Switzerland and Nigeria and provide a platform for both countries’ beauty and fashion brands to showcase their products and services.
It is an avenue to recognize all creative and talented people like models, hairstylists, make-up artists, dancers, singers, comedians, photographers, videographers, creative directors, project managers, fashion designers etc.)
Can you describe the vision you have for this pageant? What makes it different from other modeling contests?
The event is a charity project that would help us to support the needy and bring out the best in some people that didn’t get the opportunity to express themselves. Some people have not done this kind before which is a great way to push them out to excel.
As I said, this is not a pageant but a beauty and fashion event that gives vendors the opportunity to exhibit their businesses. This event is different because everyone who is involved in this project would be recognized by their talents and businesses.
We are mixing the European beauty with Nigerian fashion.
There are often misconceptions about modeling as a career. What are some of the myths you would like to debunk through this initiative?
Modeling is not supposed to be seen in this way because it is a talent. We all have our talents that should not be misunderstood. We have different kinds of Modeling e.g. Runway, commercial, editorial, fashion, lingerie, petite , plus size, erotic, body part, body painting, swim wear, hand, promotional, mature, fitness and hair models. As a child of God, we can be models in an appropriate way. In all these models types, we have our choice to make what suits our talent. My advice to upcoming young models is to follow their dreams and be very careful. Let their parents give them the guidelines they need by working them into the right parts so they don’t get carried away by money. When i mean money is because the ones that pays very well are those that makes people think Modeling is immorality. They will pay you so well that at the end you will feel that’s the best but it’s not because at the end exposing your body with great pay can’t be erased. It’s forever out there. Choose wisely and be patient, it will pay off no matter how long it takes.
What role do you believe models can play in addressing social issues and inspiring positive change in society?
I believe that the models need to always have it at the back of their mind that been a model is not just to be paid but it is also a starting point of their future. They need to know exactly why they want to be addressed in the social so not to have a bad name but to build a better social life where the upcoming ones will be encouraged to follow same career as a model. This is to bring in a good, save and reliable society that will see the models different from what they think or believe modeling to be. While we are doing all these, it is important to always remember that good name is better than riches And we must also remember that we will become mothers someday. So that we can look back and be proud of our past.
What challenges have you faced as a Nigerian model on the international stage, and how have you overcome them?
Let me say this thing about discrimination, it is not only in the foreign countries that we have discrimination or racism. It is even worse among us Africans because some people don’t want you to progress. These are people of the same skin colour like you. I got to understand that if people don’t like you in Europe doesn’t mean they are racists. You need to think out of their box to be able to prosper in life.
We all know that being in a place that is not your home is different and so many challenges will come. I always have a positive thinking anytime I will be on the stage or in a pageantry that is just for the Swiss models. The reason is because if you think negative that is what you will get. Do not underrate yourself because you are the only black African. We all have different grace that we carry. Where you’re the only different person, God will make you special and you will get recognized and not rejected that is the word of positive thinking and believe in God.
How do you balance your modeling career and your commitment to philanthropy?
My modeling career is in line with all that I do which makes the work easy for me to manage them both well. It is good to work in line with what you love so much because in that way you will not feeling that you’re working or stressed but you feel happy and more energized to keep going.
What advice would you give to young aspiring models in Nigeria?
I would like to let young and talented models in Nigeria to know that life is not a bed of roses. You need to start from somewhere by working hard and also be a respectful person. Everything in life is all about been patient. Don’t allow the love of money from the bad ways of Modeling deceive you. Model in the right way and choose the areas that your talent will be best discovered. Making money is good but let your good name identity you when you make that money. Do not forget God is your number one advertiser and no matter what comes your way, never give up because the way to a great success that will never go down the drain is not all roses. It can be rough and not straight but if you remain in the right parts, you will win. Make your parents proud of you and rewrite the history of that bad name modeling. Be intentional about reasons you are going into modeling career. Not just because you are beautiful, tall and skinny that makes you feel you are better than every other person. Be humble and act as a role model to the young ones.