Nora Uche did EML Nigeria in 2013 and is now a catwalk regular at Lagos Fashion Week. Fresh off the runway at Paris Fashion Week, we caught up with Nora to ask how it compared, what’s on her playlist to get her through the week, and all about her passion for art.
YOU WALKED AT AMI IN PARIS! CAN YOU TELL US WHAT IT WAS LIKE?
Walking for Ami Paris was an amazing experience because they are like my new family which made the process much easier , the vibe was so good! I wore two looks – I love the structure of clothes by Ami. My first look had features which made it edgy, but my second look was fire! I felt unstoppable!
Photo © Ami Paris
THIS WAS THE SECOND SHOW U WALKED IN PARIS AFTER CYCLAS. HOW DID YOU PREPARE?
To prepare, I spent some time rewatching past fashion show in Paris, to see how the models walked, so I could know what was expected of me. I have also walked at Lagos fashion week, but obviously Paris is way bigger! For one thing, there are so many more photographers backstage in Paris, it’s crazy!
WAS IT FUN TO WALK A SHOW IN MEN’S WEEK? HOW DOES IT COMPARE TO WOMEN’S SHOWS?
Men’s fashion week is always fun backstage, as models, we get know each other properly, make fun jokes - I think it’s the best! At women’s shows, the models sometimes don’t talk to each other much at all, so it feels like a different ballgame for sure. Plus, this season, I stayed in the model apartment, and it was nice just an eight-minute walk to the Eiffel Tower!
WHAT’S YOUR MANTRA FOR SUCCESS?
This might sound weird, but I have few for every circumstance I find myself, but the one that always works for me is “as long as you are breathing keep praying".
YOU LOVE DRAWING TO RELAX! HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ARTISTIC STYLE?
When I draw, I love to pay attention to details. I find drawing a really good way to wind down after a busy day, and it’s super easy to bring my drawing things with me when I travel!
WHAT MUSIC AND TV INSPIRING YOU AT THE MOMENT?
Oh, my playlist at the moment is so old school! I’m talking about Toni Braxton “Spanish Guitar" old! But when I travel, to feel close to home, I listen to a lot of Afrobeats, and artists like Davido, Wizkid, Tuface – and a long list of Nigerian artists! On TV, I’m watching Grown-ish, it’s a real interpretation of life and of what is going on now in the society and in the world. I love it.
