Oluchi returns to Accra to scout for next supermodel

It seems like it was only yesterday but it has been a long 15 years since Oluchi Onweagba, then 17, won the West Africa regional model competition at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra and went on from there to win the prestigious Mnet Face of Africa continental contest in 1998.

Since then, Oluchi has not looked back. With a three-year prize contract from Elite Model Management in hand she began a whirlwind life as a highly-sought-after fashion model.

With over a decade of experience in fashion, Oluchi has graced the covers of Italian Vogue, i-D, ELLE, Untold and Surface. She also has been featured in Nylon, Marie Claire, Allure, and other national editions of Vogue around the world and has served as the face of campaigns for Victoria's Secret, Gianfranco Ferré, Gap, Express, Banana Republic, AnnTaylor, Duro Olowu, L'Oreal Cosmetic, Natures Gentle Touch to name a few.

Additionally, Oluchi has walked the runways of Luca LucaJohn Galliano, Christian Dior, Costume National, Chanel, and Giorgio Armani, among others, in London, Milan, Tokyo and Paris. She has worked with such notable photographers as Kelechi Amadi - Obi, Steven Meisel, Nick Knight, and Patrick Demarchelier.

Since her reign, and not being the one to forget her past, in 2007 Oluchi launched a modeling agency in South Africa, called O Model Africa, with the Shine group; an agency dedicated to exposing, developing and delivering select portfolios of African models to South Africa & International Clients for catwalk shows.

Now in 2013, and still true to her passion for discovering, this New York University BA holder, wife and mother of two, has taken on an exciting project, Africa's Next Top Model, a prestigious model reality TV show and Tyra Banks franchise which brings her back to Accra on Saturday August 20.

Africa's Next Top Model is a search  for the continent's next supermodel and the scouting in Accra is scheduled for Saturday July 20 at the M-Plaza Hotel in Accra.

The first historic season of Africa's Next Top Model will be filmed in Cape Town, South Africa. Aspiring models that want to get a chance to travel to Cape Town, South Africa and 'Live the Beautiful Life' must attend  the scouting audition.

The audition is open to young women who must be 18-27 years old at the time of application, at least 5'7" (170cm) in height, and must not have an existing contract with a modelling agency at the time of application. Plus-sized models are eligible to apply, but no male models.

Supermodel Oluchi will be present at the audition to personally select the lucky girls who will travel to Cape Town, South Africa for the filming of Africa's Next Top Model which enjoys the sponsorship of South African Tourism.