INTERVIEW: Nigerian born Catwalk Coach, Model and Entrepreneur, Jimi Ogunlaja talks Setting Up Modeling Academy, Advice to Upcoming Models, Plans for Reality TV Show and more…

South African Hottest and Most Booked Male Model popularly known as Jimi Ogunlana is one model that is passionate about his profession since his early childhood, and has featured for brands such as Virgin Atlantic, Sandton Magazine, and MTN.

He has worked in Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Angola, South Africa and around Europe.

In my exclusive interview with Jimi, he talks about the industry, his inspirations, business plans, challenges and more…

Hey Jimi! Would you like to introduce yourself to our readers?
I’m a Nigerian born model and model coach, business owner and young entrepreneur by the name Jimi Owobowale Ogunlaja.

Talk me through an average day in the life of you?
My average day is filled with different fun activities, from training models and sending them for castings, promoting events of every weekend for an exclusive night club called The Bank in Cape Town. Fun and exciting if we want to ignore the time consuming part of it. lol

What institution(s) did you attend and what did you study?
Olabisi Onabanjo university, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State. and I studied computer science and accounting.

When and why did you decide to venture into modeling industry?
I had started modeling and acting in Nigeria before I finished university, I just moved to South Africa in the year 2008 to test the waters. Its a passion that works by nature and its becoming all that i am and now I have created a world around it.

You own a modelling academy; tell us more about that?
Jimisterio Catwalk Academy is a modeling agency that offers complete model training which enables models maximize their potentials. We use the knowledge of catwalk to transform models into the most sort after in the fashion business. We are based in Cape Town, South Africa and fully operational.

What are 5 dos and don’ts when it comes to modeling?
Dos:
1. Look/dress your best all the time
2. Have a good trustworthy agency to represent you.
3. Be punctual for all your appointments
4. Be intelligent and socialize
5. Stay healthy, eat well and sleep enough.

Don’ts:
1. Don’t miss an appointment without having cancelled it first.
2. Don’t discuss pay or rates with a client. That is what your agency is for.
3. Don’t ever knock an agency, another model, studio, producer…anyone, to someone in the industry. Too often, what goes around comes around.
4. Don’t ever tell a photographer you are frightened.
5. Don’t give your home phone number to any client or to anyone you meet who claims they can help you in your work UNLESS of course you want that person to call on a purely personal basis. Refer them your agency, agencies always know better.

You are now into TV production, how’s that progressing?
Asides being a model I have also had the opportunity of filming and directing footage of different fashion content for Spice TV on DStv. Now I am producing and filming different exclusive fashion contents that will soon be a live program on television. Its really intriguing viewing life from behind the lens of a video camera.

What do you do to stay in shape, do you go to the gym?
I go to gym every now and then, I try to eat healthy and get good rest. Ask my friends I enjoy sleeping. lol

How do you balance your personal and professional life?
My personal life revolves around my professional life pretty much. We make the most fun out of the profession.

How would you describe the fashion/modeling industry in South Africa?
The Fashion and the Modeling industry in South Africa has generated successful platforms for lots of fashion entrepreneurs and models across Africa. The modeling industry has exposed a good number of African Models to the international scene all over the world. The South Africa fashion industry is believed to set the lead in Africa in terms of Fashion.

Having also modeled in Nigeria, what’s the difference between South Africa and Nigeria?
Having modeled before in Nigeria, South Africa is more cosmopolitan which creates diversity with job opportunities. I still miss the rawness and originality of the Nigerian Modeling industry. In all i have been opportune to work with geniuses and creative gurus in both Nigeria and South Africa and the combination of both will make Africa brightest future.

What do you consider the most common stereotype about the modeling industry?
The most common stereotype in the modeling industry is Models do not eat. Models eat alot…lol, in-fact we love food.

What aspect surprised you the most once you started working in the modeling industry?
The most surprising aspect of modelling to me is despite the fact that modeling is not a lucrative business, its can still be recognized as significant due to the level of transformation it can impact in ones life.

Is there anything you would like to change about the industry?
I wouldn’t change anything but to make my own significant contribution.

Which brands, clients, model, designers, have you worked with?
I have worked with major brands like Woolworths, MTN, Coca Cola, Samsung, Exact Clothing, Markham, Euro Art Shoes, Calvin Klein, Top Fashion Houses, Idris Elba, Shaggy, R Kelly, Oluci, and super models on top of their game, leading designers. I am fortunate with big brands and major clients.

What do you consider your biggest professional success so far?
Establishing a company of my own and watch aspiring models grow and achieve their dreams.

Who do you want to work with that you haven’t yet?
Samuel L Jackson, Brad Pitt, Jamie Fox and Tiwa Savage, perhaps lots more that I wish to work with.

What has been your biggest challenge?
Trying to buy my own mansion off modelling. lol

Tell us two things people don’t know about you?
Two things people do not know about me is one, there is always something interesting going on in my mind, and secondly, I value honesty.

What’s your opinion about the role of social media in the fashion business these days?
In terms of marketing and networking, Social media plays an important role in the fashion business nowadays.
Lots of products have been advertised via social media and it has generated very successful response. It is very informative and up to date. Quiet a good number of models have been discovered and recommended just by how active they are on social media. It has created more job opportunities and so on…

You moved from Nigeria to South Africa. How is that working out for you?
Relocating from Nigeria was not my original intention, I was acting in a major TV series TINSEL and I took two weeks leave of absence to shoot a TV commercial in South Africa, and I have not been back in Nigeria since then. I just kept going and going… Still cant explain why, I am proud and very grateful for all that i have achieved and much more that are still coming. Most of all, what I have become and what I am capable off.

What are your must visit travel destinations?
Seeing all the 7 wonders of the universe.

Name 5 things we should take seriously about our style choices?
1. Skin Color
2. Body frame/physic
3. Our comfort
4. The weather
5. The fit.

How would you describe your style?
Simply sexy

What style genre appeals to you the most?
I like Arty/Sexy in Summer and Rocker/chic in Winter.

Name your five must have accessories/essentials?
1. Chains (Necklace/wristwatch)
2. Belts
3. Bags/Purse
4. Cologne
5. Cuff links

What are your favorite fashion trends?
The Statement Choker and the David Bowie boots for the women are quit interesting.

What is your favorite dish?
Beans and plantain and I eat Rice and turkey stew alot. Do not forget jollof rice lol

What songs are currently on your playlist?
Good Naija songs like Tekno – Wash, Runtown FT. WizKid, Shaba by Wizkid, Kiss Daniel – Goodtime, YCee – Omo Alhaji, and so on.

Apart from modeling, what other projects are you currently working on?
Currently filming a fashion program that will soon be aired on DStv.

Seeing you’re doing your dreams, what advice can you give others to pursue their dreams?
My sincere advice is for them to stay prayerful and remain strong, keep thinking, keep creating, keep growing and transform into a useful and important people. We must all work together with unique positive goals.

Any specific plans for the future?
Future plans involves creating more career opportunities for models and starting a reality TV show.

Any final words?
Work while you work, play while you play. To be useful and happy, this is the way. by Dotor Tai Sholarin Merry Mayflower.

Where can we follow you online and on social media?
@Jimibold on Twitter, @jimisterio on Instagram, Jimisterio Catwalk Academy on Facebook,
Jimisterio Catwalk Academy website, Email is jimiogunlaja@yahoo.com.