Today we’d like to introduce you to Johnson Eze.
Hi Johnson, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Well, starting from childhood I’ve always been so bright and admired by people especially at the fact that I looked so beautiful and more feminine characteristics, I got to start deriving pleasure and passion for arts. My attention are easily drawn to creativity when it comes to fashion, styling and cosplaying with dresses and costumes and for that reason, I love to play with costumes when it comes to do with stylish performances that speak on what I am putting on, I exaggerate and express my emotions through it and it didn’t just continue like that when fashion has its role to play in expressions and personality that was how I dreamt of being a fashion/editorial model. My thoughts was on how to grow in this aspect. I made so many research on fashion, modeling, styling and cosplay and I found out that all these really work together. I got myself enrolled in modeling academy and at the same time got signed in with an agency that was how I became to take the fashion industry serious because one thing I easily understood was through fashion and photography there are stories to tell about your personality. I started by posting my fashion and style concepts on Instagram because that’s a very big platform for the showbiz and along the lines, I began to work out and stay fit as it’s required. I thought of a better way to go far in the industry since it’s not like a career that has much value in Nigeria. I began to attend and partake on events relating to fashion such as pageantries and fashion contests.
In 2021, I won the Mr. Teen Anambra and I got the opportunity to represent my state (Anambra state) in the Mr. Teen Nigeria 2022 which was organized by the house of twitch (talent management agency)where I made it to top ten and in 2021 I partake in a fashion contest stylish ambassadors 2021 where I was awarded as the contestant with the best casual outfit of the year and thereby making to top 5 with the title stylish ambassador 2021. I began working with the brand as a style consultant and style influencer while still under my agency Connors modeling world. I aspired to be a fashion model and a style influencer but in Nigeria, it seems the career isn’t that valued enough to pay you higher but to my utmost importance, I was passionately doing what I have always loved to do regardless of people’s perspectives and my country’s economy. I only made social media my tool especially Instagram and Facebook. Nevertheless, I strive hard enough to keep pushing myself even as a student I have my part-time job as a hotelier. I have been working with upcoming and local designers time to time to showcase their outfits and give them style guides.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Off course, the journey was never and had never been a smooth one if not for the fact that I do it out of passion and I love it when I do that which gives me joy 😊. In Nigeria, the fashion/ modeling industry is like a side hustle and secondly to succeed in it you have to come out from a wealthy background which is gonna push you through the industry. A lot of criticism comes with it when you are expressing or trying to leave your real life people tend to discourage me and criticize what I do for cultural reasons or individual perspective and coupled with growing up as an orphan without a sibling life had been had to scale through while living under pressure, ugly situations with people who finds it difficult to understand my personality. Little or no financial support or sponsorship from anyone and it seems like the career and dreams I had for myself won’t work out because I had no support system, no sponsorship, no words of encouragement, no mom, no dad, no sister, no financial assistance, peer pressure and all of that but it’s only focus I had on my self I had to spend a lot to get what I want but at some point, it feels like vanity but I never got discouraged while I listen to success stories. The worst part of all these was how often I’ve been bullied and dragged because of my feminine character never the less a lot of people got to stay glued to my lifestyle and many enjoyed my companies and these are the people that wishes me well.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
For my passion for fashion/style creativity. Am a fashion/editorial model, style influencer/consultant.
I work with local and upcoming fashion designers, showcasing their works through photography and runways. I am style influencer for a fashion organization and a style consultant. I can create 10 different style concepts from one outfit for different outings and I set myself apart from other fashionistas by taking it serious with Ankara designs.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is achieved the moment you decide to focus on making your daydreams a reality not minding any circumstances.
Contact Info:
- Website: linktr.ee/ebukathefirst
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ebuka_thefirst
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/ebukathefirst1
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/@ebuka_thefirst
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ebuka__
- Other: https://tiktok.com/ebuka_thefirst
Image Credits
Mr teen Nigeria
Connors empire
Celeste studios
