The Fate Of Slim Curvy Models In Nigeria…

In Nigeria, the fashion modelling industry has traditionally favoured slim models with very lean frames, this has led to little to no representation of models with broader hips. This preference for lean frame models can be attributed to Western beauty standards, which Nigeria has adopted widely.

In modelling, you are either skinny or plus-sized, no in-betweens. A random Google search on slim curvy models will take you straight to articles about plus-sized models, nothing on slim curvy models. Even search engines need to do better LOL.

For more context, we’ll look at Nina’s experience attending castings so far. Nina had an eye for runway modelling from the early age of 16, she began pursuing modelling at age 17, with runway modelling being her preference. Nina is slim and curvy, a size 8 at most or 10 due to her broad hips.

Each time Nina attended castings, she would get patterned responses like ‘’You’ve got really broad hips, you can’t do runway modelling, you have to reduce to a size 6’’. Everyone that knew Nina assumed she was a perfect fit, ‘’you have a banging body, the industry would love you’’ they said. In reality, most casting directors do not care about curves except in cases where the castings were for commercial modelling which is mostly reserved for celebs or someone relevant in the industry.

There’s been a recent push for more diverse body types in the global fashion industry, with some designers and agencies showcasing fuller-figured models on the runway. This shift is driven by a desire to showcase a broader range of beauty ideals and to provide representation for a wider range of models. Even at that, slim curvy models are still being neglected as the focus is now mostly on plus-sized models.

In the spirit of being inclusive, Nina; now 25 years of age was recently offered to be represented by a modelling agency with most of its focus on the international market. They stated clearly that Nina ‘’won’t be a great fit for the international market because she is big in some areas i.e. curvy’’. There is still a long way to go in breaking down the notion that having a leaner frame is the ideal standard for fashion modelling, slim curvy models deserve equal representation and opportunities just as the leaner frame and plus-sized models do.