In a world where many are transiting from beauty pageantry to entertainment industry, one of Nigeria’s finest models, Amanda Akunne Ifeoma has chosen to leave an indelible mark in the fashion industry. OLAITAN GANIU caught up with her in Lagos where she spoke about her experiences on pageantry across the globe, her pet projects, and her mission, to redefine the fashion scene with the launch of her new clothing line, Mandeur.
Amanda rose to fame after being crowned Miss African Golden in 2019, after defeating 24 female contestants from other African countries.
With her radiant smile, she received a brand-new car and a trip to Dubai among other prizes.
At the age of 22, she was exposed to the world stage when she contested in Miss Super Model Globe in India, four years ago, but she quickly became a household name when she emerged as Miss Talent at the Miss Aura International Beauty Pageant in Turkey.
“Modeling is something I love doing. Yes, I know I have gotten crowns but it’s not enough for me. I want more and more,” she enthused.
“After the pageant, I got a contract on Fashion TV, Turkey, and I was modelling for them. They also have a pageant called, Miss Fashion TV. While I was working with them, we had a house where I stayed with other models to learn more and associate with other girls. There were so many lessons to learn and it was a real learning curve for me.
“Along the line, I had a group of younger girls who were being bullied by the older ones. I told them to be strong, and outspoken and never allow anyone to look down on them. It worked and everyone was happy,” she said.
During her reign as a beauty queen, she made a significant step in championing the cause of girl-child empowerment with her foundation, Queen Amanda Foundation.
According to her, the initiative was launched to provide young girls with opportunities and mentorship to help them realise their potential.
“Aside from this, I seek to address gender-inequality challenges, societal pressures, and other barriers that could hinder young women because one of the major challenges of the girl-child is abuse, especially in Africa. So, parents need to pay attention to their kids in their part of the world.”
Continuing she said, “I always see myself as a leader. And sometimes, I see myself as someone who wants to help the nation. I want us to be on top. I want us to be great and powerful. I also realise that anytime I am out there, people always look up to me. I mentor mostly young girls; they usually ask several questions that inspire me.”
The leap into fashion
After fulfilling her pageant duties, Amanda is launching herself into the fashion industry.
She recently unveiled her fashion label, Mandeur Apparel in Lekki, Lagos.
The fashionistas’ latest collections include vague cherrie, shimmy party, majesty charmy and aura couture apparel.
Known for her exceptional dress sense as a beauty queen, Amanda described her brand as a representation of individuality, creativity, and charisma.
She emphasised that Mandeur’s designs empower women to express themselves confidently with every piece reflecting her love for vibrant, attention-grabbing elements.
Regarding the uniqueness of her collections, the runaway model-turned-fashion designer said her commitment is to empower women through her designs.
The CEO emphasised that her newest couture and high-end pieces tell stories of resilience and individuality.
“My designs are couture but affordable, focusing on bold colours, shimmers, and a touch of extravagance. Even my simpler designs have an extra flair that makes them stand out. Playing with colours has always been my signature, even back in school, where I stood out for my colorful style. Bright, bold, and glittery—those are the defining features of Mandeur,” she boasted.
Mandeur, a mix of her initial name, Amanda which is the root of ‘Mand’ with the suffix ‘eur’ to give it a global appeal, as she plans to expand her brand internationally without losing focus on the local Nigerian market.
Speaking on her target market, the graduate of International Relations and Diplomacy from the Afe Babalola University, Ekiti said, “Initially, I focused on women’s fashion because, as a woman, it was natural to create designs for myself and others. Over time, I realized I’m also interested in designing for men. So, the plan is to expand into menswear gradually, but for now, I’m starting with women’s fashion.”
Read Also: Tiwa Savage laments criticism over fashion choices, decries age-shaming
Trailblazing in two worlds
Her transformation from beauty queen to fashion designer is a testament to the power of ambition and adaptability. “Yes, I do the sketches myself, and I also have my factory here in Lagos, Nigeria,” she answered when asked about her versatility and inspiration.
“For me, fashion is an art. It’s not just about wearing clothes; it’s about knowing how to combine pieces and making them look fabulous.”
She added, “I am very versatile. While some designs might have African elements, I also explore other styles, like Indian or party looks. I mix influences and play with colors to create unique pieces.”
Asked how she would be balancing modeling, advocacy, and fashion entrepreneurship, Amanda said they all go hand-in-hand.
“Yes, I’m still into modeling, and I’ll be combining it with promoting Mandeur. Next year, I’ll also be participating in a pageant in Naples, Italy. Hopefully, I will make Nigeria proud again. Please, you guys should look out for me. It’s going to be a busy and exciting year ahead. It’s going to be an exciting year! Expect new couture styles, high-end fashion pieces, and a runway show to showcase how the designs look on real people.”
Winning a beauty contest in primary school was a pivotal moment that ignited Amanda’s confidence and passion for the stage.