This Nigerian model set a Guinness World Record with 125km catwalk for inclusivity
To promote inclusivity in the fashion industry, Nigerian model Ololade Ayelabola set out to etch her name in history.
Over five days in October, she covered 125.11 kilometres during a fashion event in Lagos, setting a Guinness World Record for the longest distance walked on a catwalk.
Ayelabola did not walk this path alone. Her runway was shared with models who often face barriers in the fashion world—plus-size models, individuals with albinism, vitiligo, and tribal marks.
According to the 26-year-old, the event was more than a record-breaking attempt; it was to inspire others to embrace their uniqueness.
“I came up with a theme that was inclusivity and diversity,” she told Guinness World Records. “I wanted a runway where everyone would be included and everybody could showcase their talent, and we could inspire others to be who they were and to stay true to themselves.”
Having worked in the modelling industry for six years, the inspiration for the record-setting catwalk stemmed from a personal experience of rejection. After being told she wasn’t tall enough to participate in a Lagos Fashion Week, Ayelabola set out to challenge conventional beauty standards. Her goal was to create opportunities for other aspiring models who had been turned away for reasons beyond their control.
“I started this journey to create a stage for all the models who’d been told no because they aren’t tall enough or have a skin condition, even though they were talented,” she explained.
