The mastermind behind one of Nigeria’s biggest fashion weeks, GTCO Fashion Weekend, has clarified why some models don’t get selected.
Sola Oyebade, popularly known as Mr Mahogany, has been the producer of the GTCO Fashion Weekend since its inception in 2016. In a recent conversation with Lynda on CreativiTea, he talked about his transition from corporate banking to full-time fashion production.
A significant portion of the conversation focuses on his role in creating and producing the GTCO Fashion Weekend. He also cleared misconceptions on how models are selected to walk the runway during the show. 
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Why Some Models Don’t Get Picked
Sola explained that, contrary to the rumour about the organisers having a set of people they want already, the selection of models is highly competitive. He cited GTCO Fashion Weekend as an example. Sola stated that 2,000 to 3,000 models apply for the show, but only about 260 are needed to walk the runway. So, even the best models don’t get picked because of the limited number of slots available.
“It’s a numbers game. It’s just not gonna happen that everybody that comes is gonna get taken… plus we need a good cross-range of models; I can’t take all dark-skinned models nor can I take all light-skinned models,” he said.
Models have to meet certain criteria before they are picked. He mentioned that there are industry standards. They might vary, but include models who fit into sizes 4-10, and the minimum height is 5’9″ tall. The look of their skin and their ability to carry the clothes and take instructions well matter too. He explained that beauty is subjective. “It’s not a universal standard, and they all exaggerate their heights,” he added.
Another reason why some models don’t get picked is because designers dictate the physique that models must have in order to fit their clothes. This also limits selection options to just a set of models that meet the parameters.
“…Designers give me their criteria…I’ve already got the criteria before the casting, so I already have the idea of the kind of models I need to give the designers what they want…The designers are not there during the casting,” he said.
“We are thinking about what the designer wants,” Sola added.
Over the years, Sola Oyebade has produced various fashion shows across the United Kingdom and Africa. Apart from the GTCO Fashion Weekend, his show, Fashion Finest Africa, since 2018, is about emerging fashion designers in Africa.
He also produced Africa Fashion Week London and Africa Fashion Week Nigeria. These shows have cemented his reputation as a top-tier fashion show producer. A desire to address the lack of representation for Black models in the UK drove his career in fashion.
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