CATEGORIES OF MODELS

    Everyone believes that any model who gets discovered by á big Agency or a modelling competition, struts the runway of every big show in Nigeria, appear on magazine covers and is known internationally in the modelling Industry is a supermodel. 'NADA' That's a big misconception. The truth is there are no more supermodels. Before you strangle me, there are three categories of models. The supermodel, the powermodel and the it model.

The SUPERMODEL:

like the originals in the vampire diaries, there are also originals in the modelling Industry. They are (1) Naomi Campbell (2) Cindy Crawford (3) Christy Turlington (4) Linda Evangelista (5)Claudia Shiffer. Only 1 or 2 of the names sounds familiar right? that's because they were the real and big models of the 80's and 90's, probably most of you were not born then right?     Why these models were big then is because they were known by almost everyone inside and outside of the fashion and modelling industry, from the fashión guru, to the average businessman to the common housewife. They were on the covers of almost every magazine, either fashion related or not fashion related. These were models who anyone who isn't familiar with the fashion or modelling Industry could relate to as a model back in the 80s and 90s. There were no restrictions when it came to them featuring ïn magazine editorials. For example Oluchi Orlandi who is known as a fashion and glamour model seen on the cover of Business Tribune, it's like a square peg in a round hole, awkward!! but it wasn't like that back in the 80s and 90s. No restrictions because there were no celebrities. Now, the era of celebrities spoil market for the models big time. Singers, artistes and celebrities are appearing more on the cover of magazines, billboards, advertisement for consummable products etc, also ads for fragrances and cosmetic line. For example, Yvonne Nelson is the face of Zaron, Tonto Dike is the face of Chocolate hair. A model could have been the face of Zaron but Yvonne was used because Yvonne could relate more to an average nigerian lady who doesn't know anything about the modelling industry but, sees Yvonne who is on screen everytime. Now you see the point. You see these models we idolize and we are so quick to call supermodels today are not even close. The supermodels were recognizable then by almost anybody in the 80s and 90s.

POWER MODEL:

I'm going to be using former beauty Queen and model Agbani Darego and former face of Africa Oluchi Orlandi has case studies. The power model is one who is not only a popular model, a role model to aspiring models, have great modelling features, being paid a lot of money for jobs done, brand ambassadors, but they still have the retaining Factor called 'power' factor. Even after so many years since they have been modelling, they are still very relevant in the Industry. Agbani Darego has managed to be relevant many years after she won Miss World. Oluchi Orlandi who is the first face of Africa is also still relevant. Also International models like Heidi Klum, Gisele Bundchen, Kate Moss.   Not only are these models known for their name and reputation in the fashion and modelling Industry, they also have a brand attached to them, they are enterpreneurs, have become media personalities. Lets take Agbani Darego, apart from the fact that she is a known model she now has her denim line, AD DENIM. Oluchi Orlandi is now the anchor of African Next Top Model, Tyra Banks, American Next Top Model, so you see what i'm talking about. Models often referred to as supermodels are actually power models because they have managed to stay relevant after so many years of modelling. But hold on a Sec, i'm not saying power models can't be or are not as successful as supermodels, but 'as e be, celebrities don steal their shine'.

The IT MODEL:

According to one American model(no be me talk am ooo) she talk say 'all too many 'it models' are the ones called supermodel. I'd say 80% or 90% of the models today who obtain some amount of measureable success in their careers should be automatically put under the 'it model' categorically.'    I'm not saying these 'it models' are less successful than the other two categories afore mentioned, its just to create a distinction. According to the American model, 'it's hard to reach the top of the modelling game, it's even harder to remain there.' When you see them, you know them. They are the ones who win modelling competitions, beauty pageants or are first runner-ups, become popular for 10 minutes, everyone wants to work with them, they become the cynosure of all eyes, other models will be beefing , after their reign, give them 6 months , they have disappeared into thin hair, they wont be relevant anymore, just to try and remain relevant and let people look their way, they  start putting bikini photos on their Instagram page. They get involved in one dirty scandal to another, or suddenly, they develop acting talents and you get to see them in newspaper interviews were they are asked where they have been for the past 5 years, they talk about going to reinvent themselves, and  want to move into the movie Industry or become an artiste because it has always been their childhood dream. Aaargh, i get tired of their interviews on saturday and Sunday Punch. Please stop referring to her as a supermodel, because she won a competition and prior to that time, she might have done only one runway job. People don't become supermodels and powermodels overnight. 'It models' are fresh blood, new faces, everyone wants to work with them, they are tagged every designer's favourite, every model's best friend, till new fresh faces surfaces. So next time, before you refer to a model as a supermodel and powermodel, think well, does this model deserve such title?.  
     By IfelingThanks for reading. Check this space for another interesting article next week.