After being told she wasn’t tall enough for the runway, a Nigerian model defied the odds by staging a record-breaking fashion show, creating a platform for aspiring models who face similar industry barriers.
Her achievement is now inspiring a new wave of inclusivity in the fashion world.
According to guinnessworldrecords.com, Ololade Ayelabola achieved the longest distance walked on a catwalk by a model with a staggering total of 125.11 km (77.74 mi) when she staged a fashion show in Lagos last October.
But the 26-year-old wasn’t alone up there.
She was joined by an array of beautiful models that represented all different types of people, including those with albinism or vitiligo, those who had tribal marks, and plus size models.
The whole event was designed to inspire people to be true to themselves.
Ololade told us: “I came up with a theme that was inclusivity and diversity. I wanted a runway where everyone would be included and everybody could showcase their talent and we could inspire others to be who they were and to stay true to themselves.”
She’s been working as a model for six years, but Ololade was once told she wasn’t tall enough after auditioning to take part in a Lagos Fashion Week event.
“While at the auditions, the judges said, ‘Oh you walk well, but you are not tall enough’ and that broke my heart,” she confessed.
“I went home and started thinking about all the models who’d been told no because they aren’t tall enough or have a skin condition, even though they were talented, and how those people would face stereotypes and barriers in different areas of their life.
“So, I decided to create a stage, a runway, where people could showcase their talents.”
It took Ololade five days to walk her record-breaking distance, which she prepared for with lots of training.
And she looked sensational at every turn, in a series of bright and eye-catching outfits, many of which were designed and created in Nigeria.
When she was in pain and it felt too hard to keep going, with bandages wrapped around her feet, she reminded herself that she was doing this for other people, not just herself.
“For every step I took on the catwalk, I was taking a walk against stereotypes and challenges we face in the model and fashion industry,” she said.
“I saw people leave their places of work to come cheer me, support me and applaud me and that kept me going.”
On what it feels like to have broken the record, she said: “It really feels great, overwhelming and amazing to hold a Guinness World Records title.
“A couple of months ago I was busy planning with my team members and here I am finally, a dream has been fulfilled.
“This is to tell everyone that your dream is valid and to all dreamers, chasers, risk takers out there, go break some record.”
“But don’t come towards my record,” she laughed.
“Dare to dream and make your dream a reality.”
