The second edition of Top Model Universe Guinea officially got underway on Thursday, July 16, 2026, as aspiring models gathered at the Mariador Park Hotel in Conakry for the competition’s first casting session. Organised by Nimba Fashion Events, the event attracted numerous young talents eager to showcase their potential and pursue careers in the fashion industry.
Designed for aspiring models and runway professionals, Top Model Universe Guinea aims to identify and promote emerging talent while providing participants with opportunities to represent Guinea on both national and international stages.
According to Mohamed Lamine Bangoura, CEO of Nimba Fashion Events and coordinator of Top Model Universe Guinea, the competition goes beyond a traditional beauty contest by opening doors to international exposure.
“Top Model is a unique event because the winners will have the opportunity to represent Guinea abroad before returning to continue promoting the country’s fashion industry,” he explained.
The second edition has already generated significant interest, with dozens of candidates registering online before additional participants attended the open casting.
“In total, more than thirty candidates registered online, and even more joined us today. The jury evaluated at least sixteen female candidates and eighteen male candidates,” Bangoura said.
He also highlighted the organisers’ ambition to make this year’s competition even more memorable.
“We want this second edition to be very different from the first. Our goal is to deliver a spectacular event that sets a new standard for fashion competitions in Guinea,” he added.
Artistic Director Abdoul Django Bangoura expressed satisfaction with both the quality and number of participants.
“The turnout has been excellent, and many candidates meet our selection criteria. We look at appearance, height, confidence, and the overall qualities expected of a professional model. Seeing so many motivated young people participate is a great success for us,” he said.
Among the participants was Mariama Touré, who described the experience as both exciting and motivating.
“I am very happy to take part in this competition. My mother encouraged me to participate, and I have learned that failure should never stop you from moving forward. You must always keep improving. I also want to thank the organisers, especially the CEO, who has been a great source of inspiration for me,” she said.
Following a full day of castings, interviews, and evaluations, the judging panel deliberated before announcing the successful candidates selected to continue their journey in the Top Model Universe Guinea 2026 competition.
