Fashion icon, Okorodudu, receives lifetime presidential award

Joan Okorodudu, a pioneering force in the global fashion industry and founder of Isis Models Africa, has received the Lifetime Presidential Award at the Runway International Fashion Awards (RIFAS) held in Baltimore, United States, this past weekend.

The award celebrates her significant contributions to placing African and Nigerian fashion on the global map.

This recognition follows Isis Models Africa’s recent mention at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, where it was highlighted as one of Africa’s leading modeling agencies.

The company was commended for its role in empowering young African talents and providing them with a platform on the international stage.

Isis Models Africa has been instrumental in organizing the annual Africa’s Next Super Model contest, which has helped launch the careers of models featured in global fashion events in major cities such as Madrid, Paris, and Milan.

The agency’s efforts have not gone unnoticed; during UNGA’s UNSTOPPABLE AFRICA event, Sudanese model Nykhor Paul praised Isis Models Africa for its continued support in shaping and promoting African talent.

Speaking at the UN event, Nykhor Paul emphasised the importance of recognizing African modeling agencies like Isis Models Africa, which have consistently nurtured talents from various African countries, including Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, and Nigeria.

She urged stakeholders to capitalize on these models’ potential, calling for greater support for African fashion initiatives.

In response, Isis Models Africa expressed gratitude on social media, reaffirming its commitment to promoting African talents globally. “A champion is not made in the ring; they are seen in the ring,” the agency stated, emphasizing the impact of Nykhor Paul’s endorsement at such a significant international platform.

The agency described the recognition as a “major call to action for a paradigm shift” in the fashion industry.

RIFAS, founded in 2017, celebrates excellence in the independent fashion industry, acknowledging achievements across various sectors, including fashion design, modeling, makeup artistry, hairstyling, and more. Okorodudu’s award adds to a long list of accolades for the entrepreneur, who has played a pivotal role in transforming the African fashion landscape.

A graduate of Boston University and a former Miss Nigeria, Okorodudu has established Africa’s largest model search platform and secured international opportunities for African talents at major fashion shows worldwide.

In 2017, Okorodudu won the New African Woman Award in The Arts & Culture category alongside other notable African figures, including Amina Mohammed, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General. Her latest recognition underscores her unwavering dedication to uplifting African talents through arts, culture, and fashion.

The achievements of Isis Models Africa extend beyond modeling. The agency has recently partnered with global hair care brand Design Essentials and One Management to launch the Runways to Freedom project, promoting African beauty and talent on a global scale. This collaboration reflects a strategic alignment between a prominent hair care brand and a visionary talent scout focused on showcasing African excellence.

Joan Okorodudu’s legacy continues to inspire a new generation of African talents, solidifying her role as a transformative figure in the global fashion industry.