Nigerian content creator Rachel Ojuromi made her runway debut at Chanel's spring/summer 2027 show in Paris, France. The 22-year-old walked for the French luxury house at the Grand Palais during Paris Fashion Week. Born and raised in Lagos, Rachel Ojuromi first drew attention online with fashion videos she created with her best friend, stylist and designer Debby Fasingha. In the clips, she struts through Lagos streets and markets in bold, high-fashion outfits while running everyday errands like buying vegetables.
Rachel Ojuromi's rise to fame began with her viral fashion videos on social media. She also runs The Process Africa, a culture platform. According to British Vogue, Rachel Ojuromi received the news of her Chanel booking while relaxing at home in a robe. Her first reaction was calm, but she later broke down in tears during the first lineup when the moment finally sank in.
For the show, Rachel Ojuromi wore a grey and yellow tweed shirt and midi skirt from the house's new collection under creative director Matthieu Blazy. Yellow, she told the magazine, is the favourite colour of her best friend Debby, so she saw the look as a sign. Nerves set in before the show, but established models Bhavitha Mandava and Anok Yai encouraged her to stay calm and enjoy the moment.
By the time Rachel Ojuromi stepped onto the runway, she said she was having fun and felt she deserved to be there. Rachel Ojuromi had referenced past Chanel collections in her content for some time. However, British Vogue reports that it was her viral recreation of Chanel's Métiers d'Art show that opened the door to the runway.
Rachel Ojuromi's journey to Chanel began with her Lagos street videos. She told the magazine her rise did not happen overnight: "It's a series of compounding events. It's never overnight." Dreams of Paris had long been part of her story, as she posted videos as far back as 2020 imagining herself living in the French capital.
Netizens on X celebrated Rachel Ojuromi after photos from her Chanel debut surfaced online. Many praised her look and her inspiring journey from Lagos to Paris. Comments included "They called her the coolest girl in Nigeria" and "Dreams do come true. Neva think less of yourself."
Rachel Ojuromi's achievement marks a milestone in her career, and her story serves as an inspiration to young people back home. This is not the first time an African content creator has made waves in the fashion industry. Recently, Ohene Kwadwo Safo, grandson of Ghanaian inventor Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, walked the runway for an international fashion brand, drawing attention with his appearance.
Key points
- Rachel Ojuromi, a 22-year-old Nigerian content creator, made her runway debut at Chanel's spring/summer 2027 show in Paris.
- Ojuromi's rise to fame began with her viral fashion videos on social media, showcasing her style and creativity.
- Her achievement marks a milestone in her career, inspiring young people back home to pursue their dreams.
