Today we’d like to introduce you to Nmandu Nicole Otutu
Hi Nmandu Nicole, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
As a Nigerian Immigrant, I moved to the United states with my family of 6. I quickly began High school in Austin, Texas and later moved to San Antonio to attend UTSA. At UTSA I found my love for creating community and being a vessel for art. I learned to bring people together to create lasting connections with people. Following my time at UTSA, I began to work for a local nonprofit organization that has been a cornerstone in the local business community, bringing in my ability to create structure while maintaining community.
In my search for more involvement in my local community, I stumbled upon a vibrant Fashion scene. I quickly assimilated into the fashion world as a plus size model while simultaneously shattering the standards “required” to be a model. With a journey rooted in self love and appreciation, I learned to be empower myself while bringing a much needed diversity to the local modeling scene.
I quickly became a catalyst for change in the local fashion industry, invoking new thoughts and feelings and causing changed perspectives on what it takes to “make a model”. With a quickly skyrocketing career, I got to represent curve women on multiple platforms from my local news to a national stage at New York Fashion Week.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a tremendous journey with many highs and some unfortunately but not unforeseen lows. As a curve model who started modeling at her biggest, I have had to pave my own path and fight to be in spaces where I wouldn’t otherwise be represented. I have been dropped from shows who did not see the value of representing curve women or marketing to them. I have had to continuously advocate for myself in many productions and projects. As the fashion scene continues to grow, the need to also advocate for model pay increases. Quickly leveling up in the industry also means having to explain your worth and having your work speak for itself more often than not.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a curve model who specializes in Runway and Editorial work. I bring a certain aura to the Runway that elevates the quality of a production and designer in which I am representing.
I am most proud of my accomplishment in such a short period in the fashion industry. Being on the scene for less than 2 years and having the impact that I have had is something I’m very proud of. From working with local shows like Interiordesignmeetsfashion, Apelife Production, Texas Fashion Week and SlowfashionTexas in Austin to stages like Frow, NYFWtheshows, and many others in New York; I am very grateful to God for giving me the tenacity to keep striving for bigger and better.
What sets me apart is the quality of talent I bring to the Runway. My ability to wow folks either because of my fierce strut or my striking features allow me to bring a designers vision to life while giving the audience a show worth remembering and a lasting impression of an outfit worth having.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
AUTHENTICITY IS KEY.
Be yourself, you bring something different to the runway and that is lost when you begin to do things that are unnatural to who you are. You do not have to be or look a certain way to start modeling, you just need to have a “look” that comes across so confidently consistently and is unshakable.
I wish I learnt earlier on that You are not for every production and that is okay! Some productions will love your look and in some productions you will not fit the vision that they have in mind, and that is okay. You will be in the spaces that are meant for you and the spaces that you need to enact change in, you will find a way into.
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