Ololade Ayelabola, a UNILAG student, aims to break the 41-year-old record for the longest catwalk to challenge fashion industry stereotypes, promoting inclusivity and diversity with a 96-hour walk involving 100 diverse models.
Ololade Ayelabola, a final-year Computer Science student at the University of Lagos, is determined to surpass the world record for the longest distance walked on a catwalk by a model.
Her attempt comes 41 years after Roberta Brown and Lorraine McCourt set the current record, walking 114.4 km (71.1 miles) at Parke’s Hotel, Dublin, Ireland, from September 19 to 21, 1983.
Ayelabola’s challenge, lasting over 96 hours, is scheduled for September 29 to October 3 at the UNILAG Sports Centre.
A former beauty queen, Ayelabola says her motivation comes from the biases and disqualifications models face during auditions, despite their abilities.
“What inspired me is the stereotyping in the fashion industry. If you don’t fit a certain height or look, you’re often sidelined, regardless of talent,” she said.
Recalling her own experience at a fashion show audition, where her walk was praised but she was rejected for being ‘too short,’ Ayelabola decided to create a platform to challenge stereotypes and empower people across all fields.
Her walk will emphasize inclusivity and diversity, featuring models with albinism, vitiligo, freckles, tribal marks, and plus-sized individuals.
“I plan to walk with 100 models, showing everyone that with passion and hard work, you can be whatever you want to be,” she said.
She also expressed gratitude for the support from the university, especially Vice Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola.
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