Eunice Olumide

Eunice Olumide
MBE
Born Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Nationality British-Nigerian
Other names Cece-E-town
Alma mater Glasgow Caledonian University
Queen Mary University of London
University of Pennsylvania
Occupation Model, fashion designer, actress, disc jockey, freelance journalist, presenter
Years active 2002–present
Relatives Abraham Olumide (father)
Victoria Monie (mother)
Oresegun Olumide (uncle)
Modeling information
Height 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Hair color Black
Eye color Brown
Agency Modelteam, Ford, AMQ, Ghetz, Doveteam, VIVA
Website www.euniceolumide.com

Eunice Olumide MBE is a Scottish supermodel and actress.

Early life

Olumide's civil servant mother, Victoria Monie, moved from Nigeria to Scotland when Olumide's father, Abraham Olumide, was posted with the Navy to Rosyth, Fife, Scotland.[1][2][3] [1]

Olumide was born in Edinburgh. She gained an grade A in English, Chemistry, Graphic Design and Art at school.[4] Her name "Olumide" means "God has come" or "My Hero has come" in the Yoruba language [5]

She achieved a first-class honours degree in BA Communication and Mass Media[6] at Glasgow Caledonian University.[1] By the age of 21,[7] she had a postgraduate degree in Film Studies at Queen Mary University of London, and a MA in Metaphysics,[6][8][9] after getting a scholarship to study at the University of Pennsylvania.[10]

Modelling career

At the age of 15, Olumide was first spotted shopping in Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow,[1] and she was later scouted by Select models while visiting family in London.[4] At the time she knew nothing about the fashion industry. She took a break from modelling to go to university. Since then she has been working full-time as a broadcaster, fashion model and actress.[11] Over the years she has been signed with Premier, KOKO, Nemesis, Mega, La Agenica, VIVA, AMQ, Ford and IMM Düsseldorf.[4]

Olumide, who is often known as Cece-E-town,[12] is 5 feet 9 inches tall, with black hair, brown eyes, dress size six, with measurements of 30A"-24"-33".[13] She has featured on runways, fashion weeks and high-profile shoots in Japan, Paris, Milan, Barcelona, Poland, Germany, UAE, USA, Africa and the UK.[12]

Olumide has appeared in Dazed & Confused, London Fashion Week Daily, Dansk, Tank, I.D., Luire Magazine Japan, New York, Bahrain Confidential, WAD Magazine,[4] Retro, InStyle, Fabulous,[14] Vogue and Capital Ace Factory magazine.[12]

She has worked with Gok Wan, Myleen Klass, Gio Pomodoro, NKWO, JJ Noki, and designers including Swarovski, Christopher Kane, Jil Sander, Henry Holland, Jacob Kimmie, Prada, Jean Paul Gaultier, Tom Ford, Alexander Wang, Jacob Birge and [13] Vivienne Westwood.[12] Olumide has modelled for various fashion brands including Top Shop, Mulberry, Bunmi Koko, New Look and Harris Tweed.[13]

Fashion design

In 2010, Olumide's mother Monie suffered a stroke. While visiting family in Nigeria, Monie encouraged her to pursue her design work. Olumide came up with the idea for her Scots-African collection. She bought the material, made the clothes and returned to Scotland with her first collection.[1]

She called the new fashion line, e:1 'monie', named after her mother.[11] Her debut spring summer collection was inspired by her Afro-Scottish[15] background and ancestry, a balance of European/British style tailoring and traditionally African fabric and patterns.[1][16] She prefers to source her material from poor parts of Africa and India to give back to the local communities and also to retain a level of authenticity.[16]

Music career

In 2013, Olumide performed with Skepta, Wiley and joined Roots Manuvas Banana Clan. Between April and June she toured the United States with The Roots and Mos Def in Orlando, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, and Atlanta, and at the Bonnaroo Music Festival, a four-day event in Tennessee in June. She also supported Police Academy's Michael Winslow in the U.S and UK.[17]

Olumide is also a DJ and has worked with Dynamo, Grace Jones, Damian Marley and Nas. She has played at venues across Europe and the United States including The Apollo, Lovebox Festival, The Great Escapes Festival, The Groucho Club, Soho House, Glastonbury and Websterhall NYC with Matt Sorum.

Acting career

Olumide's first appearance was in Trouble Sleeping alongside Gary Lewis.[18] She starred in the BBC Two series Scots Scuil.[1] Her debut lead role was in a 2014 short film Middle Man.

Olumide secured featured roles in Starwars: The Last Jedi, World War Z,[1][19][20][21][22][23] (which was filmed in Glasgow in 2011),[1] and Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie. In 2017 Olumide landed a lead role in feature film After Louise, with actor Greg Wise, and the short film Some Sweet Oblivious Antidote, starring Lenny Henry.

Olumide produced and directed a solo Metamorph through Open Art Surgery which appeared on the Traverse Theatre. She is the founder and producer of The Official Youth on the Fringe at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. In 2015, she appeared with Fred MacAulay, Dane Baptiste and Michael Che.[24] In 2016, she directed, produced and starred in a one-hour solo show at the Stand Comedy Club alongside Stephen K. Amos, Katherine Ryan and Trevor Noah and played the lead role in The Chicken Trial.[25][26]

Olumide was cast in Rogue One.[27][28][29]

Television and broadcasting career

Olumide is a freelance broadcaster, and has appeared on BBC and SKY Television reporting on 2012 and 2013 British Academy Scotland Awards (BAFTA Scotland),[30] BAFTA, and the 2013 Screen Nation Awards.[31] In May 2014, she attended Cannes Film Festival and reported live from the event. Olumide interviewed Usain Bolt at the 2014 Commonwealth Gameso. In 2015, she presented BBC Radio 1's late night show Music Match.

Olumide featured in several episodes of John Bishop's Britain and BBC Learning Zone.[32]

Olumide produced an exclusive with Vice magazine's Andy Capper on his film Reincarnated starring Snoop Dogg (also known as Snoop Lion).[33] In 2014, she did a feature on Andy Murray's win at Wimbledon with Judy Murray, and the First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond. Olumide has also interviewed comedians Doc Brown and Stephen K Amos in 2016.

In 2017 she presented for BBC Loop, contributed to the Victoria Derbyshire Show and presented the Christmas television special Scotland's Treaures with Muriel Gray.

Other activities

Olumide is a philanthropist and runs several youth groups; in Glasgow at Hillhead High School, and in Edinburgh in Calder, Granton and another in Muirhouse called G-Code.[17] She also runs workshops for young people throughout the United Kingdom for all ages and abilities including confidence building, music, dance and graffiti.[7] In May and June 2013 Olumide ran workshops across Florida at primary schools including Fern Creek.

She has helped fund raise for numerous charities including Children's Hospice Association Scotland,[18] The Well Foundation and Love Music Hate Racism.[4]

In 2011, through the Prince's Business Youth Trust, Olumide set up a public relations company called Enigmatic Production and Promotion.[4] She also contributes to leading broad sheet newspapers including The Herald and The Guardian and is also the editor in chief at RIZ:E Magazine.

In 2013, Olumide became an ambassador for Breakthrough Breast Cancer, alongside Kate Moss, Twiggy, Edith Bowman, Adam Carr, Michelle Heaton, Sharon Osbourne and Kelly Osbourne.

Awards and nominations

Olumide was nominated for the "Model of the Year" in the Scottish Fashion Awards, sponsored by Vogue,[1] in 2007,[34] 2011,[18][35] and 2013.[11][12]

In 2013, she was awarded Best Contribution to Fashion and Media in Scotland at the Scottish Fashion Awards. In the same year, she was awarded AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards Competition.

Olumide was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2017 Birthday Honours for services to broadcasting, the arts, and charity.[36]

Personal life

Olumide is of dual British and Nigerian nationality.[37][38]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Greenaway, Heather (8 April 2012). "Catwalk queen on why fashion needs a lot more colour". Daily Record. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  2. ↑ "Eunice Olumide: Independence Would Be The Most Exciting Thing To Happen In Our Lifetime". Edinburgh: National Collective. 19 January 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  3. ↑ Walker, Richard (8 February 2016). "The supermodel and the search for Scotland's forgotten black king". The National. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Olowu, Yemi (14 September 2011). "Model Watch! All eyes on her – Eunice Olumide speaks on conquering Scotland". YNaija. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  5. ↑ "Yoruba names". Behind the Name. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  6. 1 2 Basil, Pastor (23 March 2013). "Beauty, Brain & Stardom – Celebrating Eunice Olumide!". Kingdom Street!. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  7. 1 2 Piper, Laura (28 November 2012). "Rapping at the door of success meet the star singing in the season". The List. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  8. ↑ "Eunice revels in positive Xposure". The Scotsman. 28 February 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  9. ↑ McLaughlin, Mark (28 February 2009). "FEATURE: Eunice Olumide – One To Watch". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  10. ↑ Pollock, David (3 September 2009). "Exposure: Northern Xposure". The List. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  11. 1 2 3 Young, Caroline (28 March 2013). "Meet the Model: Eunice Olumide". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 "Model Focus: Eunice "Cece" Olumide". PassionistaHub.com. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  13. 1 2 3 "Scotland Based Nigerian Model/Actress Eunice Olumide to Feature Alongside Brad Pitt in WWZ". One Nigerian Boy. 7 September 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  14. ↑ Turner, Charlotte (11 April 2011). "Colour blind: Is racism an issue in Scotland's fashion industry?". Impulse. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  15. ↑ Sambi, Terence (7 December 2011). "Scottish Nigerian Actress/Model Eunice Olumide Turns Designer: A Look at e:1 'monie' ss12 Collection". One Nigerian Boy. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  16. 1 2 "Interview: model and fashion designer Eunice Olumide". The Daily Buzz. 29 February 2012. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  17. 1 2 Fraser, Graham (2 February 2013). "You can come from Wester Hailes and be able to sit with the stars". The List. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  18. 1 2 3 "Eunice Olumide". Shareitwearit. 9 June 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  19. ↑ "Nigerian Model Eunice Olumide To Co-Star in Movie With Brad Pitt". Nollywood Gossip. 12 September 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  20. ↑ Yussuf, Abu (12 September 2011). "Scotland Based Nigerian Model/Actress, Eunice Olumide, Stars Alongside One of Hollywood's Elites". thefancyhub.com. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  21. ↑ "Nigerian Model To Star Alongside Brad Pitt in New Movie". NigeriaFilms.com. 12 September 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  22. ↑ "Nigerian Model To Star Alongside Brad Pitt in New Movie". The Nigeria Voice. 12 September 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  23. ↑ "Nigerian Model Eunice Olumide To Star Alongside Brad Pit". MY9JA. 12 September 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  24. ↑ Gray, Michael (10 October 2013). "Member Profile – Eunice Olumide". Business for Scotland. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  25. ↑ Awde, Nick (16 August 2016). "The Chicken Trial review at Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh – 'zips along but lacks depth'". The Stage. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
  26. ↑ Blain, Liam (16 August 2016). "The Chicken Trial at Pleasance Courtyard". The British Theatre Guide. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
  27. ↑ Harrison, Jody (5 February 2016). "Scottish supermodel lands role in new Star Wars films". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  28. ↑ Paterson, Pamela (4 February 2009). "Rogue One: Eunice Olumide to be immortalised as Star Wars toy". Edinburgh: Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  29. ↑ Paterson, Pamela (4 February 2016). "Rogue One: Eunice Olumide to be immortalised as Star Wars toy". The Scotsman. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  30. ↑ "Eunice Olumide Broadcasting Live at the BAFTA Awards". Vox Africa. 20 December 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  31. ↑ "Eunice Olumide Broadcasting Exclusively at Screen Nation Awards SKY TV". Vox Africa. 12 March 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  32. ↑ "Scots language rap". BBC Learning Zone. BBC. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  33. ↑ "Eunice Olumide Andy Capper Interview 'Reincarnated'". Scottish Supermodels. 29 March 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  34. ↑ "Hailing from the Highlands". Fashion Weekly Daily. 6 August 2007. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  35. ↑ "Bunmi Koko and Eunice Olumide Shortlisted as Nominees for Scottish Fashion Awards 2011". Haute Fashion Africa. 27 April 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  36. ↑ "No. 61962". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 June 2017. p. B21.
  37. ↑ "I wasn't looking for a religion ... I just fell in love with Islam". The Sun. 30 January 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  38. ↑ "Western Women Falling in Love with Islam". The Eastern Post. 6 February 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
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