Posted by
on Sep 19th, 2016 and filed under Model Beauty Secrets, From a New York Fashion Week Newcomer – New York Times
Credit Firstview
Backstage at Michael Korsâ spring/summer 2017 show, the mix of models represented exactly what the designer had in mind: âI really wanted diversity as far as the look of the girls, and diversity as far as body types,â he said. And in between supernovas from Kendall Jenner to Carolyn Murphy, stood the striking 5â 11â Mayowa Nicholas, a newcomer who only began modeling two years ago but has already made quite a mark. Since winning an Elite modeling competition in her native Nigeria in 2014, Nicholas has walked for a number of top-tier European fashion houses including Christian Dior, Prada, Miu Miu, Hermès and Loewe. (After closing Loewe, Nicholas posted on Instagram: âDreams do come true.â) Last fall, Nicholas became the first Nigerian model to star in a Dolce & Gabbana ad campaign â a milestone moment not only for the Lagos-born beauty, but the industry as a whole. T caught up with Nicholas to talk about her debut at New York Fashion Week this season, her beauty secrets and why Kors is a true fashion king.
Howâs fashion week going for you so far?
Good! This is my sixth show â Iâve done Prabal, Proenza, Oscar de la Renta and Rag & Bone.
How does it feel to walk for Michael Kors?
I like the designer first of all, because heâs so nice. I met him at the fitting and he really liked me. He said, âOh, weâre going to allow your natural hair.â And I was like, âOh, nice!â And the collection is amazing â itâs for a girl thatâs confident in her skin and in what sheâs wearing.
On the topic of hair, how do you keep yours so healthy?
Cantu is so good for natural hair. I have all the products of Cantu. My favorite is the daily moisturizer cream; I use it when I wake up every morning and it keeps my hair soft, because I have strong African hair!
Whatâs your secret for radiant skin?
I do mostly natural stuff, like oatmeal face masks. I just boil oatmeal and put it on my face. I donât use a normal product mask. I leave the oatmeal on for 30 minutes and it removes everything from your pores. After that, I use avocado, smashed in a bowl, and put that on to hydrate my skin. I always do that two times a week. And I drink lots of water.
Who taught you these beauty secrets?
My mom! She always uses an egg-white mask but it kinda smells, you know, like a raw egg. But itâs so good for acne. And if Iâm sick, she uses a home remedy.
Interesting â what does it involve?
We have a tea in my country, itâs called elephant grass. We use it for energy. You mix the grass with hot water and itâs like a mint leaf. We drink it straight, with nothing in it, in the morning.
Is your mom proud of your modeling career taking off so quickly?
Yes, sheâs so happy, and she knows Iâm doing Michael Kors today and sheâs freaking out because she loves Michael Kors.
