Barely a week after coming under fire from social media Nigeria, Laura Ikeji, wife of
Ogbonna Kanu, has reverted to type again, only this time, the self-proclaimed fashion blogger is making a case for underemployed Nigerian models as she celebrates another bare-all type of model whose photo she shared on her Instagram page. Strong as the case may be, what is confusing is whether it is a case for bare-all models or not as her recent history of using an all-baring model to showcase her goods during Valentines sales is still very fresh in memory.
Hear her:

[b]“In America or Europe. A model with this type of body, who has done virtually all the big fashion shows home and abroad would be driving an exotic car and would live in a house of her own house. But in Naija, models are broke, I don’t know a model who drives a very nice car or has her own or can boast of millions in his or her account. Modelling in Nigeria isn’t respected like it is everywhere. No model has a face in Nigeria, endorsement or anything that can make them big as individuals. In fact they get their break through when they go to other industries.
How much re these hardworking people even paid per show? You would be amazed. These young people work so hard to keep their body only to retire from modelling with nothing.
Respect the model, pay them well, give them endorsements, write about them, make them as relevant as the actresses you write about daily, make them important like musicians you hold in high esteem. There’s an industry called the modelling industry. Nigerians, let’s start recognising that industry. Pay them well. They deserve it.”[/b]
You’ll agree she does make sense, right? But what she failed to address is the appeal of such models. Why? Because in the western world, there is a very thin line between nudity and modelling. But transferring such to a culturally conscious African market means you will create repulsion rather than market appeal. Of course there’s no gainsaying the fact that sex sells, but in Africa, the market is pretentious about it. The only place nudity sells for now is in the hidden places – strip clubs and private markets.
Laura shoud know better. In fact, with the kind of reactions to her earlier attempt to use the kind of bare-all model in her Instagram shop, she should know that that kind of model won’t command money because her game runs against society’s values! No reasonable brand in Nigeria will want to associate themselves with that kind of sales by nude light. And rightly so.
Source: http://www.legendvibes.com.ng/2017/02/nudity-vs-fashion-laura-ikeji-makes.html