Excited for the events of the day, the whole team is pumped and ready to go. As I walk into the dressing room, the lovely Oritsema is in the make-up chair, having some light conversations with Farian, the make-up artist.

We strike up conversations on; Life, work…the general Lagos vibe.

‘I’m just working honestly, juggling my 9-5 and really trying to get into the wellness industry’. Over the course of the planning stage for the shoot, having less formal conversations, she mentioned being in the wellness space was a passion for her. She started a brand called The Store House Wellness which creates a safe space for healing, mindful living and sustainable living. She hosts micro movement sessions on Saturdays and also sells wellness products, mainly freshly pressed juices.

Talking about modelling she says, ‘Everyone had always said that I would be good, or I should do it. But I wasn’t really confident that I would be good at it. Then one day at Portobello market, a lady approached me and asked if I would like to model for her. I said, you know what… I’m just going to give it a shot and the seed was planted that day’

Continuing our conversation, she spoke about how her interest in actively pursuing modelling became a bit more practical after moving back to Lagos. ‘I got asked to model for Bakwai Bags and that’s what really kicked things off for me because, I then started feeling confident in the possibility of me actually taking this seriously, but ultimately it really came down to need…when I was thinking about my finances, it just made sense to give it a real shot and see how far I could go’.

In 2022, Oritsema was one of the models who graced the runway at the Heineken Lagos Fashion Week show, modelling one of the outfits from the Resort Collection by well-known designer Tia Adeola. 

Would you say that has been a defining moment so far?

So, the defining moment so far is that I’m actually building a career in this industry, just me making that decision on being intentional about following through has been very defining for me.’

Did you ever see yourself becoming a model?

I really did not… I didn’t think I’ll be good enough honestly, I had a very deep understanding of the fact that modelling was not just about the way you looked but it was actually a skill you had to develop and just be good at in general. Which in hindsight has been great for me because it just means there has been a lot of room for me to grow, so it just makes me more confident because I know I’m not just going to stay where I am, I’m going to keep getting better.

‍‍Asides your passion for the Wellness space, what other hobbies do you have?

My hobbies are spending time with loved ones, eating really good food, engaging/learning about history and culture and just the world in general…I love learning. Writing, most physical and outdoor activities.

What advice do you live by? 

Do everything for the audience of One, which is God…So in everything I do, I try to always bring my mind back to…ok, at the end of the day, I’m living for God and not for people, not for myself.

‍What’s the wildest dream you’ve had regarding working as a model?

The wildest dream I’ve had regarding working as a model…I’d say my biggest goal or dream when it comes to modelling is really, to make money, meet people, have fun and contribute to beautiful things being made, I won’t say I have any wild dreams per say, I’m just enjoying the journey and seeing where it goes.

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Credits

Creative Direction, Interview & Production Director: Adekemi Thompson

Assistant Creative Direction & Stylist: Ibukun Badejo-Okusanya

Photography: Deeds Studio (Olubambi Oresanya & Wale Adebisi)

Make-up: Farian Dada

Videography: Deeds Studio (Jeremiah Ogunsanya)

Location: SOB Gardens

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