A model scout once looked at Rachel Ojuromi and told her, 'Oh, you will never do runway'. Months later, the 22-year-old Nigerian creative stood backstage at Chanel in Paris, preparing for her runway debut.
Ojuromi walked in Chanel's Spring/Summer 2027 show on 5 October after gaining recognition for fashion videos she created with her friend, stylist and designer Debby Fasingha. Together, they transformed Lagos streets, markets, and everyday settings into distinctive backdrops, establishing a unique visual style. Their work brought Ojuromi to Paris, where her viral recreation of Chanel's 2026 Métiers d'Art collection helped secure her place on the runway she was once told she would never walk.
From Lagos to Chanel
Ojuromi and Fasingha began collaborating on fashion videos in March, using colour, texture, layering, and runway references to create distinctive looks throughout Lagos. They chose markets, streets, and familiar locations to enhance their visual storytelling and expand beyond traditional fashion venues.
Their breakthrough occurred when Ojuromi recreated looks from Chanel's 2026 Métiers d'Art collection on the streets of Lagos. The video received over 2 million views and attracted the attention of Chanel artistic director Matthieu Blazy, who commented 'Everything' on the post.
She emphasised that this achievement was the result of sustained effort rather than overnight success. 'It's a series of compounding events. It's never overnight. It's all your life; you work towards something,' she told Vogue. 'That video was a vehicle that led us to where we are now.'
After spending a week in Paris, Ojuromi received confirmation that she would walk in the show. Receiving the call at home transformed her experiences in Lagos into her first official runway opportunity.
Before the show, Ojuromi practised her walk and was concerned about stumbling. Fellow models Bhavitha Mandava and Anok Yai offered reassurance during this time. She later recalled crying upon reaching the lineup but regained her confidence once she stepped onto the runway.
Anok Yai and Rachel Ojuromi for Chanel SS27 by Matthieu Blazy ✨💝 pic.twitter.com/dBvvjIWi1f
— Grix (@GrixMagazine) October 5, 2026
For the show, Ojuromi wore Chanel Look 73, which featured a yellow-and-grey tweed shirt and matching midi skirt. She maintained her authentic style by wearing her braids rather than adopting a conventional runway look. 'They wanted me to look exactly like me, and I really appreciate that,' she told Vogue.
Building Her Own Path
Ojuromi developed her fashion approach independently of traditional modelling, placing experimentation at the core of her style. In Metal Magazine, she described her style as 'comfortable but fab' and noted that she began developing it after high school by wearing her father's oversized clothes.
This instinct also guides her work with Fasingha, where she adapts references to fit the available format and resources. 'I see something that resonates, and the question becomes: how do I retain the core of it, the reason it moves me, but within the format I work in and with the resources we have?' she explained.
Ojuromi founded The Process Africa, a platform that supports and documents the work of young African creatives. She created it to recognise the effort behind creative achievements. 'The Process Africa exists to make sure every young African creative knows they are valued,' she said. 'Not just when they make it, not just the finished product or the viral moment, but the process itself.'
What Comes Next
Ojuromi has named Matthieu Blazy's Chanel as a favourite runway brand, praising the designer for making complex ideas accessible. She sees a similar quality in her videos with Fasingha, where fashion concepts are presented accessibly, without requiring prior knowledge of every reference.
Although her Chanel debut marks a new chapter, Ojuromi plans to explore opportunities across the industry rather than focus on just one area. After walking for Chanel, Ojuromi told BBC Africa, 'It is possible for my dreams to come true'.
She has also encouraged other young creatives to pursue ambitions that may not make sense to others, telling Vogue, 'You can dream yourself into a life that is possible even if nobody else gets it'. Chanel and Jonathan Anderson's Dior are among her dream collaborations.
