Isio De-laVega Wanogho

Isio Wanogho (born November 17, 1983) is a Nigerian supermodel, columnist, painter, and interior architect. She has been recognized with several awards, including an African Youth Society award, two Future Awards nominations, the FAB award, a Nigerian Model Achievers Award, and being named the youth ambassador by the Global Foundation for Peace, Unity, and Development. Wanogho began creating graphic art, including hand-made cards, in 2000. She entered the modeling industry in 2002. In 2007, she became a television presenter and later pursued fashion design in 2009. She debuted 5,000 outfits as one of three official designers for the Lagos Carnival in 2010.

Biography
Nigerian-born Wanogho lived and schooled in Florence, Italy, where she earned an M.Sc in Interior Design. Upon returning to Nigeria in 2012, she established her design studio and continued her work as a television presenter. She is conversant in six languages, with proficiency in English, Yoruba, Italian, and Nigerian Pidgin English.

Wanogho attended the Mayflower School in Ikenne from the age of five, where she completed her primary and secondary education.

Modelling
Wanogho was discovered by model scout Otu Winpana on her way home from private lessons. Initially, her family was not enthusiastic about the idea, but they eventually supported her. Later that year, with her mother's support, Wanogho participated in the 2002 QueenAfrik beauty pageant, although she did not win or become a finalist. Her breakthrough came when she was selected to model for designer David at the 2002 St. Moritz Style Selection, the largest fashion show in Nigeria at the time. Over the following years, she modeled for prominent Nigerian designers and became the muse for Davida, Remi Lagos, and Halleros. In 2015, Wanogho was named the campaign ambassador for DIESEL in Nigeria and became the face of DIESEL@Centro in Nigeria.

Television presenting
Wanogho entered broadcasting and communications in 2006 as a guest presenter on The Nigerian International Show, which aired in Nigeria and the UK. In 2007, she worked with Uche Agbai and IK Ikponwosa as the media face for Close Up in the Close Up Salsa Fresh Challenge. In this role, she served as a TV presenter and spokesmodel, hosting media and press conferences and touring several states in Nigeria to promote the brand and the project.

In 2009, Wanogho transitioned to full-time television presenting as the head presenter for Soundcity's affiliate Fashion Station, Spice TV, adopting the pseudonym De-laVega. In her role, she hosted six shows covering lifestyle, fashion, round-table discussions, and live interviews, which expanded her fan base and led to her co-presenting Globacom's music and lifestyle TV show alongside IllRymz. In 2012, she founded Isio De-laVega Design Studios (IDDS), a design firm specializing in commercial and residential spaces that merge functionality, aesthetics, and style. Wanogho has received several awards and nominations, including the 2010 FAB Award for Best Presenter, the 2010 African Youth Society Role Model Award, and the 2010 NMAA Best Model-Presenter award.

In 2014, Wanogho made her debut as an actress on NdaniTv's Gidi Up, playing the character Bibi. Later that year, she was featured as the leading lady in Ikechukwu ‘Killz’ Onanaku's short film, Badt Guy.

Television shows

 * 2006: Guest Presenter | Nigerian International
 * 2007: CloseUp Fresh Challenge Latin Dance Reality Show
 * 2008-2010: SpiceTV Head Presenter/Co-Producer | SoundCity All Access | RedCarpet Show Urban Spice – Travel and Tourism Show Bargain Hunters: Daily deals I got a date—Matchmaking Show Women's Table: A discussion about women and sensitive topics
 * 2010-2011: G-bam Globacom TV Show Music is a lifestyle entertainment show with a live audience
 * 2011: Fashion TV Fashion Party and first FTV event in Nigeria 2012: Fabulous TV Guest Presenter Entertainment Magazine Show
 * 2013: Glamsquad Guest Presenter Fashion Police, Comedy, Celebrity Critique

Isio De-laVega Design Studios
Upon her return from Florence, Italy, Wanogho established Isio De-laVega Design Studios, which provides bespoke design services for both residential and commercial clients.

Painting
In 2008, Wanogho earned a B.A. in Painting and Sculpture from the University of Lagos. She refined her skills under the mentorship of Nigerian Impressionist Master Edosa Ogiugo. Her artwork is influenced by her Urhobo tribal heritage, reflecting her roots in the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria.

Writing
In January 2014, Wanogho began publishing a weekly column titled Isio Knows Better in BellaNaija magazine.

Education

 * MSc Interior Architecture and Design (2011) FLORENCE DESIGN ACADEMY

Awards and nominations

 * 2014: Model of the Year, Lagos Fashion Awards
 * 2013: Youth Ambassador: Global Foundation for Peace, Unity, and Development
 * 2012: Celebrity Ambassador, Lagos anti-rape campaign
 * 2011: African youth Society: Honorary achievement award and African role Model
 * 2010: FAB International magazine, Model of the Year
 * 2010: Nigerian Model Achievers Award: Best TV Presenter
 * 2009: Future Awards - model of the year finalist
 * 2010: The Future Awards nominee for TV presenter of the year
 * 2009: Exquisite magazine finalist - female TV presenter of the year
 * 2017: YNaija/Leading Ladies Africa’s 100 Most Inspiring Women in Nigeria