Face of Sleek Nigeria

Description:

The search for the Face of Sleek Nigeria 2009 begun in early 2009 and they were looking for girls with striking physical features, good character, heart, and talent.

The competition was open to all women between the ages of 18-30 and unlike most pageants that centres on skinny ladies and above 5.7 ft tall, Sleek were out to crown the most qualified woman be she a Banker, student, or mother.

Dr. Ebele Ugochukwu, Managing Partner of Sleek Make-up; explained “ Face of Sleek 2009 will represents a nationwide model search in which the criteria for selection is not just striking features. Other features that must be upheld include character, heart, talent, confidence and strong sense of self. These qualities will radiate and reflect on the model’s outward appearance.”

After the regional selection, screening and elimination, which took place at the end of October, a winner emerged.

15 ladies competed at the Grand Finale and Jamaican-Nigerian Makida Moka, who was Sleek Miss European emerged the Face of Sleek Nigeria 2009, winning a Nomad II jeep and a modelling contract.

The first edition of Face of Sleek 2009 took place amidst bright lights and fireworks in Lagos on 29 November 2009. MUSIC, stunts and lots of comedy electrified the catwalk at the maiden edition of the model search competition, Face of Sleek (FOSN) 2009, which took place at the terrace of the Lagos Oriental Hotel in Lekki.

Organised by Sleek Nigeria, owners of the popular brands Sleek Make-Up, Sleek Hair, and Sleek Models Studio, the competition was organised to select the face that will represent the brand in Nigeria and on the African continent for the next one year.

As expected, there was a lot of strutting on the catwalk, being a model selection event. But all the side shows and entertainment that accompanied the show made it a model selection with a difference. The models paraded and also choreographed. They paraded in Kiki Kimanu's casual wear and evening wears designed by Zizi Cardow and Nancii. But they were not the only ones that strutted their stuff on the ramp. To make FOSN 2009 a one-of-its-kind modelling competition and also prove that women of all ages can really look good and feel good no matter their age, a segment of the show dubbed "Sleek for all Ages" saw women from ages 18 to 80 years lighting up the runway in clothes designed by renowned designer Amede.

From 15, the wanna-be models were pruned down to nine contestants but the most challenging moment of the show was the brain teasing session where most of the girls fumbled and wobbled as they couldn't give answers the simple questions put forward to them by Kate Henshaw-Nuttal.

For instance, one contestant did not know the nation's former capital while another didn't know the name of the renowned author of Things Fall Apart! A few others, however, impressed everybody by answering all three questions asked correctly.

The organisation of the event proved that it wasn't a beauty pageant and that the organisers were not just looking for another pretty face but for a spokesperson, a brilliant brand ambassador that would represent the brand anywhere in the world.

The drilling session saw most of the contestants out of the race. Makida Moka emerged the clear winner, walking away with a brand new Mitsubishi SUV and a one-year modelling contract with the Sleek Company while Miss French, Joy Ndideka Okoye emerged the first runner up and final year student of Lagos state University and a make-up artist, Olusola Adetutu Ogundipe who was Miss Italian emerged the second runner up. According to one of the organizers, Ify Ugochukwu, the winner along with the runners-up will take part in the Top model of Colour competition organized by Mahogany Productions and to be held in the UK in November 2010. She added, “ the winner’s first assignment is already booked; a photo shoot for the Skin Secrets Skincare range by Sleek taking place in the UK early January 2010; she will be the face of sleek skincare on the African continent.

Sola Oyebade the Creative Director & Show Producer for FOSN who was brought in from the UK to produce the show said that “Mahogany Productions was proud to work on FOSN and was overly impressed at the high level of professionalism of the Sleek team and that it was a great joy working with the Sleek sisters Dr Ebele & Ify Ugochukwu and we look forward to the top 3 winners of FOSN competing in our international competition Top Model of Colour.”

Sleek studio Nigeria is an exclusive franchise from the United Kingdom for the marketing and distribution of beauty products comprising make-up, hair extensions, wigs and would launch skin care, all formulated specially for women of colour and style.

To find out more about this year’s Top Model of Colour Nigeria contest, click the link below:

Search for Nigeria's Top Model 2010