Born on 1 August 1980, in Ayilara Street, Ojuelegba, in Surulere, a suburb in Lagos to a civil servant father, and a mother who is a nurse, Oluchi’s journey to the world of modelling can be said to be the work of God, which is the meaning of her first name in Igbo dialect.
While growing up, she was relatively less bothered about fashion and modelling. But with the support of her family and friends; she decided to compete in the inaugural edition of the Face of Africa in 1998. This was the first-ever continent-wide model competition, as opposed to a mere beauty pageant. The pageant was organised by the South African subscription television channel, M-Net, in collaboration with Elite Model Management. With her slim, tall (6 ft. 1 in.) figure, and her natural beauty, she captivated the judges, and easily won the competition. She was just 17 years old then.
As part of the star prize, Elite Model Management awarded Onweagba a three-year modelling contract that saw her competing in the international circuit. This opportunity opened a vista for her as a highly sought-after fashion model in the modelling world.
Moving to New York, where she lives to this day, she quickly began to make an impact. Oluchi graced the covers of leading magazines like Italian Vogue, I-D, ELLE, Untold, and Surface. She also featured in Nylon, Marie Claire, Allure and other national editions of Vogue around the world.
Apart from modelling on the runway, Oluchi also became the face of the campaigns for Gianfranco Ferré, Victoria’s Secret, Gap, Express, Banana Republic, and Ann Taylor.
When Gap featured her in an ad adorning the side of one of the tallest buildings in New York, she knew that she had arrived.
Oluchi’s resume as a model is lengthy and impressive. She has worked with celebrated designers like John Galliano, Christian Dior, Costume National, Chanel, and Giorgio Armani, amongst others.
From London to Milan to Tokyo and Paris, she shared the runway with super models such as Naomi Campbell, Alek Wek, and Iman Abdulmajid. Add to that, Oluchi has also worked with high-calibre photographers as Steven Meisel, Nick Kight, and Patrick Demarchelier.
Even as her career began to flourish, she did not forget her roots, nor did she forget to attempt to give back to society. As one of the most high profile international models of Nigerian origin, she tries to serve as a role model for other aspiring talents in Africa, especially young girls. She volunteers her time and her image for such NGOs as LEAP Africa, an entrepreneurship incubator, and NIPRO. She also is continuing her higher education, having studied for an associate’s degree in New York City.
After her three-year contract with Elite expired, she was signed on to become one of Victoria’s Secret “angels,” making her the first Nigerian model to achieve this status.
She regularly works with other supermodels such as Tyra Banks, Gisele Bündchen and Adriana Lima. In one of the greatest highlights in her career so far, she was featured as a model in the prestigious Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue twice, in 2005 and in 2006.
In August 2005, she married her long time companion, popular Italian fashion designer Luca Orlandi, to become one of the most famous Nigerians known internationally. At the 2006 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, Oluchi got an unexpect ed loud applause for a flawless performance.
While growing up, she was relatively less bothered about fashion and modelling. But with the support of her family and friends; she decided to compete in the inaugural edition of the Face of Africa in 1998. This was the first-ever continent-wide model competition, as opposed to a mere beauty pageant. The pageant was organised by the South African subscription television channel, M-Net, in collaboration with Elite Model Management. With her slim, tall (6 ft. 1 in.) figure, and her natural beauty, she captivated the judges, and easily won the competition. She was just 17 years old then.
As part of the star prize, Elite Model Management awarded Onweagba a three-year modelling contract that saw her competing in the international circuit. This opportunity opened a vista for her as a highly sought-after fashion model in the modelling world.
Moving to New York, where she lives to this day, she quickly began to make an impact. Oluchi graced the covers of leading magazines like Italian Vogue, I-D, ELLE, Untold, and Surface. She also featured in Nylon, Marie Claire, Allure and other national editions of Vogue around the world.
Apart from modelling on the runway, Oluchi also became the face of the campaigns for Gianfranco Ferré, Victoria’s Secret, Gap, Express, Banana Republic, and Ann Taylor.
When Gap featured her in an ad adorning the side of one of the tallest buildings in New York, she knew that she had arrived.
Oluchi’s resume as a model is lengthy and impressive. She has worked with celebrated designers like John Galliano, Christian Dior, Costume National, Chanel, and Giorgio Armani, amongst others.
From London to Milan to Tokyo and Paris, she shared the runway with super models such as Naomi Campbell, Alek Wek, and Iman Abdulmajid. Add to that, Oluchi has also worked with high-calibre photographers as Steven Meisel, Nick Kight, and Patrick Demarchelier.
Even as her career began to flourish, she did not forget her roots, nor did she forget to attempt to give back to society. As one of the most high profile international models of Nigerian origin, she tries to serve as a role model for other aspiring talents in Africa, especially young girls. She volunteers her time and her image for such NGOs as LEAP Africa, an entrepreneurship incubator, and NIPRO. She also is continuing her higher education, having studied for an associate’s degree in New York City.
After her three-year contract with Elite expired, she was signed on to become one of Victoria’s Secret “angels,” making her the first Nigerian model to achieve this status.
She regularly works with other supermodels such as Tyra Banks, Gisele Bündchen and Adriana Lima. In one of the greatest highlights in her career so far, she was featured as a model in the prestigious Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue twice, in 2005 and in 2006.
In August 2005, she married her long time companion, popular Italian fashion designer Luca Orlandi, to become one of the most famous Nigerians known internationally. At the 2006 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, Oluchi got an unexpect ed loud applause for a flawless performance.
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