Marilyn Nwene is not making any waves in America. She totally unkown where it matters. Top Modeling.

The Nigerian girl contesting in the America's Next Top Model, Nnenna, is from Huston.

The highest paid model in Nigeria is Linda Ikeji, who has a modeling agency and knows all the local and international models.

Here is Linda Ikeji for your eyes only.

She's pretty but she doesnt look like a typical model.

Linda Ikeji Poised To Launch Fashion, Modeling And Beauty (fm&b) Magazine

The beautiful and wonderful African beauty Linda Ikeji is poised to make history as her glossy society and style magazine Fashion, Modeling and Beauty (FM&B) is going to be launched in Nigeria this summer and the venue is the prestigious Golden Gate in Ikoyi on the Lagos Island. And from our telephone conversation, the event is going to be the talk of the town among the Nigerian glitterati and literati. Because, Linda Ikeji has done a marvelous work in the packaging of the FM&B magazine with the features of the notable fashion icons in Nigeria and abroad.

Linda insisted that I should write some complimentary notes on the power dressing style of former military ruler of Nigeria, Gen. Ibrahim Babaginda. We went over the magazine with the Art Director and Art Editor to make sure that the FM&B is a page turner and a collector's item. FM&B is full of exciting and thrilling features.

Linda Ikeji is the highest paid model in Nigeria, the President/CEO of Black Dove Communications Limited/Black Dove Models and the proud publisher of the Fashion, Modeling and Beauty (FM&B)magazine that is the first of it's kind in Nigeria. And she is 25. I thank God for her life.

If you want to come to the launching of Linda Ikeji's awesome FM&B magazine at the Golden Gate on the Lagos Island in Nigeria, just let me know. It's strictly by invitation.

okay! thanks for the info.

She's pretty. I'd love to be there but uhmm, i cant be.

Well, I have seen that picture of hers. It's on my hard disk. I desperately need to see another one!

Yeah, I have heard of this and I wish I could be there but due to some circumstances I cant be.

I would really love to meet her one on one.

seun, what is "hard diisk"sic!

Orikinla:

Linda insisted that I should write some complimentary notes on the power dressing style of former military ruler of Nigeria, Gen. Ibrahim Babaginda.

LOL!

On a more serious note, does your Ms. Ikeji need a freelance writer abroad? Tell Madam I'm available. I can provide samples.

Well, I have seen that picture of hers. It's on my hard disk. I desperately need to see another one!

Seun,
I don't want to turn it into a Linda Ikeji Photo Gallery.
Here is another picture of lovely Linda Ikeji. She has more on her blog http://fmbmagazine..com

Na wa oh. I'm happy for her oh but the wahala wen dey now be sey this gal has been 25 since i know her. She no dey grow? That age is a pure lie

Ib,
Linda Ikeji will be 26 in September.

I have known her since 1997 to date.
No man knows her more than her parents. And I know her parents.

The age is a fact.

Again, she is above board.

You follow?

She looks really pretty in the second pic.

The Lord has blessed Linda with a mighty head. I am sure it is full of good things!

Seun,
My darling in Malaysia Kye Lee http://kyels.com/wordpress/ can give you lessons in photography gratis.

For you to appreciate Linda Ikeji, seeing is believing!

I hope you can make it to the launching of the FM&B magazine in June in Lagos, Nigeria.

I wish I could make it to see her.

She is sooo lovely

You can meet one fine day.

She is very nice too.

The girl is fine but damn, who the heck is she? she is so much like the girl next door. she doesn't have that edge to be a top model, o people, please look at those pictures, look at her pose, some girls on this site are far more qualified than she is.
@orinkala, i doubt if she has all the connections she claims to have. With that weight and look she doesn't qualify to be a run way model, commercial model, you just name it. she is a complete no no. After i've watched shows like ANTM, 8th n ocean, etc i can say that she isn't in that category. she still has a lot of work to do. esp. on her weight, skin, personality, poses, etc.

Orikinla:

I hope you can make it to the launching of the FM&B magazine in June in Lagos, Nigeria.

OMG,,,,,,I see ass crack can I touch it, feel up on it, do stuff to it, da da da da sorry guys

she aiite, goodluck to her tho

The unknown Marilyn Nwene is sexier than this Ikeji chic.

Her hair stylist and make-up artist both need to do a better job.

Okay is she's all WHAT you say she is orinkinla.

SHE NEEDS TO START TAKING PROFFESSIONAL PICTURES! I don't know her or anything like that, she's pretty (agreed), but she doesn't look like a "TOP NIGERIAN MODEL". Where should we put oluchi?

Top Model ko, model ni

She's a decent looking chic. Like Jay-Z would say "SHE'S AIGHT BUT SHE'S NOT REAL!"

http://www.vanguardngr.com/articles/2002/columns/fashionpersonality/fp07012006.html

Modeling has helped me with poise and elegance — Linda Ikeji


Saturday, January 07, 2006 Fashion Personality
Jemi Ekunkunbor

At only 24 years, Lanky, Linda Ekeji is already stepping down from the run way to help other models realise their dream . The English graduate of the University of Lagos, took to modeling at only 17 featuring in some of the most glamorous fashion shows in the country. Talk about St Moritz Style Selection, she was there. She has also been to ECOFEST and done several out door advertisements. The CEO of Black Dove, a modeling agency in Yaba is all set to launch a magazine FM&B to help the industry she is so passionate about. At her Yaba office during the week, the young executive opened up on why she is retiring very early and her seven years experience in modeling.

“Well, the truth is that you can’t do one thing for the rest of your life. I started modeling very early in life in 1998. By 2004, I realised that most of the people I modeled with had all moved on. Some had gotten married and some had left the country. I got tired of doing shows with new people. Some of these young models were coming to me to help them realise their dreams. So, I spoke to some people in the agency and they said they will support me. That was how I started Dove Modeling Agency.

Challenge

I do not find the young models a challenge or a threat. I did Frank Oshodi’s Red Bold and Jazzy last year. I didn’t see anyone that would make me feel like I wasn’t good enough. I don’t think we’ve been able to breed a new set of fantastic models. My set was probably the last set of good models. I’ve been to shows and the new generation models aren’t doing too much fantastic jobs. Like I said, I retired because, I look around and I’m wondering, what am I doing here? All the people around me are all 18-19 years old and I’m 24. So, I felt it was time for me to move on, help others and be in the background.

Life after modeling

The age at which you retire, depends on how early you started. I started at 17years immediately I got out of secondary school. I was modeling with people much older than me. So it’s not about age but about the number of years that I’ve spent in the industry. You don’t have to retire at the same age as me. You can go on modeling for as long as you feel comfortable doing it. I know a model who got married in June and in July, she did a show. So, its not about your age, it’s about you and your passion for the job. I probably would still do a fashion show depending on who the designer is and how much they are paying me.

Best show

So far, my best show was the ECOFEST show organisd by FADAN at Asaba. It was one show where I got to meet a lot of people like John Fashanu and the late First Lady. We were there for almost a week and had a lot of fun. I also remember St Moritz Style Selection 2001. I had a good time because immediately after the show, people were calling me for interviews and I was like, why? and I was told that I was really outstanding. I think another show that I enjoyed was the Silverbird International fashion show that featured the then Miss World at Abuja. Those were great times for me.

Fashion in Nigeria

I thought 3-4 years ago, that by now, we would have gone beyond this stage. Instead the opposite is the case. I’m sorry to say that we are static. Designers aren’t doing their best. They are waiting for when V-mobile or any corporate organization who don’t even have the time to organise a show so that they can come and showcase their designs. It’s not the best. If I were a designer, I’d probably have 2-3 shows every year. About three to four years ago, Dakova used to have at least 4-5 shows every year. He doesn’t do that anymore. We used to participate in his shows and those he was invited to and they were almost every month. In fact, I feel sorry for upcoming models now because there’s no show for them now. When I was modeling, I was going to Abuja at least once every two months. Government was having programmes in which they incorporated fashion shows and FADAN especially came to showcase and the president and other heads of government will be there. I don’t think they do that anymore. Since the change of leadership in FADAN, fashion has gone down and it is their role to promote fashion in Nigeria. If they are not doing it, who will? When Mrs Alakija was president, they had shows regularly. I was modeling for designers from the North—Kano, Jos etc. They don’t do that anymore. So I think FADAN has to do something. They don’t have to wait for any corporate organisation before they can showcase what they have. In Europe and America, when a designer has a new collection, he calls journalists and a few members of the public to show case what he has for that season. Here, they don’t take a cue from what is obtainable abroad. It’s bad. But I think with time, things will improve. That’s why some of us are still in this country to help shape things.

Magazine

I’m planning to launch a magazine called FM&B. It will help the fashion, model and beauty industry in Nigeria. I realise while writing for celebrity magazine that many young girls and boys from the ages of 18-25 are fascinated by fashion and modeling but the way magazines celebrate fashion in this country is not right. Fashion is not jsut about clothes, shoes and bags. What about the aspect that will help our industry grow? So, FM&B is going to help with all that. The first edition will be talking about the problems facing the industry and it will be a first step in solving it. So, this is not about who is wearing what and to what occasion? We will be addressing all these problems and discussing modeling in details. We are quite ready and hopefully in March, the magazine will be launched. I don’t want a substandard good. I want something of high quality like Genevieve that’s what I’m working towards.

Sense of style

In a sense, there is a way modeling affects our sense of style. I’m just a regular jeans and top person. I won’t wear a skirt and bustier except it’s a very special occasion and I’m obliged to wear it. But in terms of poise and elegance, modeling has really helped me because if I step into a place without saying it people just know that I’m a model. There’s this aura about me especially because of the way I walk and carry myself. The way I walk on the run way it is a bit unique from the way others walk. So modeling has affected me in terms of poise and carriage but when it comes to fashion, I don’t like lace and all that heavy stuff. I’m just a jeans person and I like my jeans very stylish. It has become my style for I see style not as fashion but that unique thing about you. Somebody like Debbie Ogunjobi, her style is the low cut that she carries. Other will do it and may not look okay. It makes her unique and its good for her.

Life as a model

Despite the fact that I’m a model, I’m a home girl. When I’m not modeling, I’m at home. I once met a girl. She was 17 and so beautiful. I thought she had potential. She said she was interested in modeling but I had to talk to her mum. I told her that if we have a girl like her daughter in the pageant we might probably be producing the next Agbani Darego. Her mother said no, that she doesn’t like the lifestyles of models, movie stars and beauty queens. She was afraid she will mess around. I said to her that it is not about modeling but about what kind of person her daughter is. My mother for example knows I’m a decent person. Its not fair to generalise that if you go into modeling people will say all kinds of things about you. It’s a matter of personal discipline. For me modeling is a fun life, traveling with friends etc.

My choice

I’m more passionate about the runway, being on stage and wearing clothes. But in terms of remuneration photography is better. I’ve been paid N400,000 for a bill board that is still running but there’s more excitement on the runway. If I have to make a choice, I think I’ll choose photography because of the money. A lot of models lie about their fees. The highest fee I’ve received from fashion show was N50,000 from St Morits Style Slection. If anybody tells you other wise, they are lying. How many models have cars of their own? We need to start telling the truth so that people will know that our lives need to be improved.




Linda Ikeji: No regrets being a model


BY FELIX OMOH-ASUN

MODELLING star, Linda Ikeji was relaxing with a friend five years ago when a radio jingle cut short their discussion.


23 Dec. 2005 by Rilwan Read More , comments
http://www.cometnewsonline.com/celebrity.html
Modeling Has Helped Me With Poise and Elegance

I had another interview in one of the leading newspapers in Africa, Vanguard of Nigeria. Here is the full text of the interview for your information.

Modeling has helped me with poise and elegance — Linda Ikeji

Saturday, January 07, 2006
Fashion Personality by Jemi Ekunkunbor

At only 24 years, Lanky, Linda Ekeji is already stepping down from the run way to help other models realise their dream . The English graduate of the University of Lagos, took to modeling at only 17 featuring in some of the most glamorous fashion shows in the country. Talk about St Moritz Style Selection, she was there. She has also been to ECOFEST and done several out door advertisements. The CEO of Black Dove, a modeling agency in Yaba is all set to launch a magazine FM&B to help the industry she is so passionate about. At her Yaba office during the week, the young executive opened up on why she is retiring very early and her seven years experience in modeling.

“Well, the truth is that you can’t do one thing for the rest of your life. I started modeling very early in life in 1998. By 2004, I realised that most of the people I modeled with had all moved on. Some had gotten married and some had left the country. I got tired of doing shows with new people. Some of these young models were coming to me to help them realise their dreams. So, I spoke to some people in the agency and they said they will support me. That was how I started Dove Modeling Agency.

Challenge
I do not find the young models a challenge or a threat. I did Frank Oshodi’s Red Bold and Jazzy last year. I didn’t see anyone that would make me feel like I wasn’t good enough. I don’t think we’ve been able to breed a new set of fantastic models. My set was probably the last set of good models. I’ve been to shows and the new generation models aren’t doing too much fantastic jobs. Like I said, I retired because, I look around and I’m wondering, what am I doing here? All the people around me are all 18-19 years old and I’m 24. So, I felt it was time for me to move on, help others and be in the background.

Life after modeling
The age at which you retire, depends on how early you started. I started at 17years immediately I got out of secondary school. I was modeling with people much older than me. So it’s not about age but about the number of years that I’ve spent in the industry. You don’t have to retire at the same age as me. You can go on modeling for as long as you feel comfortable doing it. I know a model who got married in June and in July, she did a show. So, its not about your age, it’s about you and your passion for the job. I probably would still do a fashion show depending on who the designer is and how much they are paying me.

Best show
So far, my best show was the ECOFEST show organisd by FADAN at Asaba. It was one show where I got to meet a lot of people like John Fashanu and the late First Lady. We were there for almost a week and had a lot of fun. I also remember St Moritz Style Selection 2001. I had a good time because immediately after the show, people were calling me for interviews and I was like, why? and I was told that I was really outstanding. I think another show that I enjoyed was the Silverbird International fashion show that featured the then Miss World at Abuja. Those were great times for me.

Fashion in Nigeria
I thought 3-4 years ago, that by now, we would have gone beyond this stage. Instead the opposite is the case. I’m sorry to say that we are static. Designers aren’t doing their best. They are waiting for when V-mobile or any corporate organization who don’t even have the time to organise a show so that they can come and showcase their designs. It’s not the best. If I were a designer, I’d probably have 2-3 shows every year. About three to four years ago, Dakova used to have at least 4-5 shows every year. He doesn’t do that anymore. We used to participate in his shows and those he was invited to and they were almost every month. In fact, I feel sorry for upcoming models now because there’s no show for them now. When I was modeling, I was going to Abuja at least once every two months. Government was having programmes in which they incorporated fashion shows and FADAN especially came to showcase and the president and other heads of government will be there. I don’t think they do that anymore. Since the change of leadership in FADAN, fashion has gone down and it is their role to promote fashion in Nigeria. If they are not doing it, who will? When Mrs Alakija was president, they had shows regularly. I was modeling for designers from the North—Kano, Jos etc. They don’t do that anymore. So I think FADAN has to do something. They don’t have to wait for any corporate organisation before they can showcase what they have. In Europe and America, when a designer has a new collection, he calls journalists and a few members of the public to show case what he has for that season. Here, they don’t take a cue from what is obtainable abroad. It’s bad. But I think with time, things will improve. That’s why some of us are still in this country to help shape things.

Magazine
I’m planning to launch a magazine called FM&B. It will help the fashion, model and beauty industry in Nigeria. I realise while writing for celebrity magazine that many young girls and boys from the ages of 18-25 are fascinated by fashion and modeling but the way magazines celebrate fashion in this country is not right. Fashion is not jsut about clothes, shoes and bags. What about the aspect that will help our industry grow? So, FM&B is going to help with all that. The first edition will be talking about the problems facing the industry and it will be a first step in solving it. So, this is not about who is wearing what and to what occasion? We will be addressing all these problems and discussing modeling in details. We are quite ready and hopefully in March, the magazine will be launched. I don’t want a substandard good. I want something of high quality like Genevieve that’s what I’m working towards.

Sense of style
In a sense, there is a way modeling affects our sense of style. I’m just a regular jeans and top person. I won’t wear a skirt and bustier except it’s a very special occasion and I’m obliged to wear it. But in terms of poise and elegance, modeling has really helped me because if I step into a place without saying it people just know that I’m a model. There’s this aura about me especially because of the way I walk and carry myself. The way I walk on the run way it is a bit unique from the way others walk. So modeling has affected me in terms of poise and carriage but when it comes to fashion, I don’t like lace and all that heavy stuff. I’m just a jeans person and I like my jeans very stylish. It has become my style for I see style not as fashion but that unique thing about you. Somebody like Debbie Ogunjobi, her style is the low cut that she carries. Other will do it and may not look okay. It makes her unique and its good for her.

Life as a model
Despite the fact that I’m a model, I’m a home girl. When I’m not modeling, I’m at home. I once met a girl. She was 17 and so beautiful. I thought she had potential. She said she was interested in modeling but I had to talk to her mum. I told her that if we have a girl like her daughter in the pageant we might probably be producing the next Agbani Darego. Her mother said no, that she doesn’t like the lifestyles of models, movie stars and beauty queens. She was afraid she will mess around. I said to her that it is not about modeling but about what kind of person her daughter is. My mother for example knows I’m a decent person. Its not fair to generalise that if you go into modeling people will say all kinds of things about you. It’s a matter of personal discipline. For me modeling is a fun life, traveling with friends etc.

My choice
I’m more passionate about the runway, being on stage and wearing clothes. But in terms of remuneration photography is better. I’ve been paid N400,000 for a bill board that is still running but there’s more excitement on the runway. If I have to make a choice, I think I’ll choose photography because of the money. A lot of models lie about their fees. The highest fee I’ve received from fashion show was N50,000 from St Morits Style Slection. If anybody tells you other wise, they are lying. How many models have cars of their own? We need to start telling the truth so that people will know that our lives need to be improved.

DO YOU WANT HER NUMBER?

GREEN EYES ALL OVER THE BOARD.

She's only 24!?!?
She looks soo much older.

Eastcoast:

The girl is fine but damn, who the heck is she? she is so much like the girl next door. she doesn't have that edge to be a top model, o people, please look at those pictures, look at her pose, some girls on this site are far more qualified than she is.
@orinkala, i doubt if she has all the connections she claims to have. With that weight and look she doesn't qualify to be a run way model, commercial model, you just name it. she is a complete no no. After i've watched shows like ANTM, 8th n ocean, etc i can say that she isn't in that category. she still has a lot of work to do. esp. on her weight, skin, personality, poses, etc.

@eastcoast

I couldnt have put it any better myself "girl next door"

Nothing special. In my opinion she not just doesnt qualify. A whole lot is missing.

Okonla abi na Orikinla, all that one you posted na story. All we are saying; "the girl no too hot for model". She is just ok.

sade511:

She's only 24!?!?
She looks soo much older.

You took the words from my mouth.

Abi chinani
I thought she was in her 40s.

Orinkla what type of magazines and ads has she been on?