Rachel Ojuromi has gone from recreating Chanel looks with thrifted clothes on the streets of Lagos to walking the actual Chanel runway in Paris.
The 22-year-old Nigerian model and creative made her debut for the French fashion house at its Spring/Summer 2027 show in Paris, titled La Conversation — Part Three — Different Faces of the Same Coin.
This marked a crowning moment for Ojuromiwho had been interpreting Chanel clothes from Lagos, using pieces from her own wardrobe and thrifted finds. Known online as @giverachelashot, Ojuromi first gained attention through fashion videos made with her best friend, stylist and designer Debby Fasingha.
Together, they transformed ordinary Lagos locations into unconventional runways, creating fashion stories with clothes sourced from thrift markets, Nigerian labels and Ojuromi’s personal wardrobe.
The Chanel Recreation that Changed Everything
One of the most important moments in Ojuromi’s rise came earlier this year when she and Fasingha recreated Chanel’s Métiers d’Art collection using entirely thrifted and second-hand pieces on the streets of Lagos.
Their images and videos placed the Chanel-inspired looks against recognisably Nigerian surroundings, including the Red Line rail overpass in Yaba. The contrast between the luxury fashion references and everyday Lagos became part of the appeal.
Chanel creative director Matthieu Blazy noticed the recreation and responded to the post with a single word: “Everything,” accompanied by a heart emoji.
His comment attracted more than 14,000 likes and became a striking indication that Ojuromi’s Lagos-based interpretation of the brand had reached the people behind the fashion house itself.
Runway Moment
Her appearance on the Spring/Summer 2027 runway transformed what might have looked like a viral social-media moment into a significant step in her modelling career.
Ojuromi’s transition into international modelling has accelerated quickly as she is now represented by four agencies across major fashion markets: No Smoking NYC in New York, Safe Management in Paris, SUPA Worldwide in London and Next Canada, her mother agency.
Her work has also attracted attention from major figures in entertainment and fashion, including American singer SZA, who helped bring attention to Ojuromi’s creative output.
From Film to Fashion
Modelling was not necessarily Ojuromi’s original career plan as she initially gravitated towards film before exploring communications, writing and creative direction.
Modelling eventually became another form of storytelling for her and instead of treating the model simply as someone who displays clothing, Ojuromi uses modelling to construct characters, create visual narratives and build worlds around fashion.
Her videos are often dramatic and deadpan, with a sense of humour that makes the fashion feel accessible rather than distant. A simple trip through Lagos can become a runway entrance, while an ordinary location can become the setting for a high-fashion editorial.
She is the founder of The Process Africa, an arts and culture platform focused on documenting emerging African creatives across fashion, film and the visual arts. The platform is built around documenting the “HOW” behind the work of young African creatives — the processes, ideas and journeys that produce their final work.
At 22, Rachel Ojuromi is no longer simply the girl recreating designer looks on the streets of Lagos. She is now an international model, creative director and storyteller with representation in New York, Paris, London and Canada.
