A model and student at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Ololade Ayelabola has completed a 130.62km catwalk in her effort to set a new Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest distance walked by a model.
During the walk, she modelled outfits from Nigerian designers including the collection from the UNILAG theatre arts department.
Ayelabola also got support from 34 other models on the runway. Her feat follows a record established 41 years ago by Roberta Brown and Lorraine McCourt, who walked 114.4 km (71.1 miles) in Dublin Ireland from September 19 to September 21, 1983.
On October 1, Ayelabola, a 500-level computer science student,
began a 120km attempt at the indoor sports centre of UNILAG.
After hitting the 120km mark, she underwent another 10km of walking, making it 2,058 laps inside the sports centre.
Ayelabola’s attempt was inspired by the two-time rejection she got from fashion events due to her height.
She seeks to challenge stereotypes and promote inclusivity in the fashion industry with the attempt.
The model also aims to highlight the Nigerian fashion industry’s creativity and boost tourism.
“I am not walking for myself alone. I am walking for the many models who have been limited by stereotypes and standards set by rigid systems,” she said.
“I am also walking to showcase the creativity of the Nigerian fashion industry.”
She will now wait for the GWR to verify her effort.
