…Recognition adds to a remarkable legacy spanning the Olympics, Miss Nigeria, Vogue Italia, the New African Woman Awards and a U.S. Presidential honour
Renowned African fashion entrepreneur, international model scout, former beauty queen and Olympian Joan Okorodudu, founder of Africa’s Next Supermodel, has received further recognition for her contribution to the development of Africa’s fashion and modelling industry, with the Kenyan Government, through the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, recognising the African Fashion Week and Africa’s Next Supermodel project.
The recognition represents another important milestone in Okorodudu’s remarkable journey spanning sports, beauty, fashion, modelling, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and youth empowerment.
Long before becoming one of Africa’s influential figures in fashion and modelling, Okorodudu distinguished herself as an Olympian and beauty queen. In 1981, she emerged Miss Nigeria Kaduna and subsequently became first runner-up at the Miss Nigeria pageant, an achievement for which she won a brand-new car.
Her journey from competitive sports and beauty pageantry into fashion and entrepreneurship would ultimately develop into a much broader mission: discovering African talent, creating international opportunities and giving African models and designers a platform to compete with the best in the world.
