September 10, 2025 • 55 mins
In this episode of The BASIC Show, celebrity stylist and designer Ugo Mozie joins host Viktorija Pashuta to share his journey from Nigeria to Hollywood’s biggest red carpets. From styling legends like Diana Ross and creating Khaby Lame’s viral Met Gala clock look with BOSS, to dressing Blue Ivy for the Cowboy Carter tour, Ugo reveals how fashion can be both storytelling and cultural legacy.
With his pre-launch fashion brand Eleven Sixteen, Ugo is reshaping the narrative of African luxury while giving back to artisans in Lagos, Nigeria. Beyond fashion, he opens up about gratitude, faith, and why AI is a creative assistant—not a threat.
You’ll learn:
✨ How Ugo’s upbringing in Houston ignited his drive and creativity
🧵 Why storytelling through fashion is about psychology, confidence, and culture
⏰ Behind-the-scenes of his most iconic Met Gala looks
🌍 How his brand 11.16 is empowering Nigerian artisans and weaving heritage into modern design
💡 Why diversification is essential for creative entrepreneurs
🎥 His next chapter: filmmaking to document untold African stories
This episode blends fashion wisdom, cultural storytelling, and empowering lessons on resilience, legacy, and self-belief.
🎙️ The BASIC Show is hosted by Viktorija Pashuta — Editor-in-Chief of BASIC Magazine.
📍 Recorded at The Maybourne Beverly Hills
🔗 Follow Ugo on Instagram: @ugomozie
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_01 (00:00):
I always say that your true level of gratitude is
tested during the hard times.
That's what gratitude is.
I always say that.
The day you know everything, youbetter start counting.
Exactly.
Time to go.
Our advantage is the ability totake risks.
(00:24):
You cannot put all your eggs ina human's basket.
It's crazy.
People are people.
When I first wake up, the firstthing that I put my mind to is
what owns my day.
I think that when it comes todiscovery, it's an energy.
(00:44):
You have to be a magnet.
I feel like you have to bedelusional about your belief in
yourself.
You have to believe in yourselfso much that when you speak
about your vision to people,feel silly for doubting you
SPEAKER_00 (01:01):
they say luxury is a lifestyle i say it's a mindset
and this one comes with roomservice here at the mayborn
where european charm meetscalifornia flair i don't just
check in i reset because realpower isn't loud it's knowing
(01:23):
when to ghost the noise anddraft something far more lasting
behind the scenes.
The Mayborn Beverly Hills.
(01:50):
Welcome to The Basic Show.
Today's season is...
Secret Garden, and I have veryspecial guests that I've been
waiting forever to interview.
Hugo Mousier is our very specialguest.
Hi, Hugo.
SPEAKER_01 (02:04):
Hello, hello, Victoria.
SPEAKER_00 (02:05):
Welcome to The Basic Show.
SPEAKER_01 (02:07):
Thank you.
It's a pleasure to be here.
Thank you for having me.
SPEAKER_00 (02:10):
Yes, thank you for coming.
We were just talking earlier howthings have been working off
with the Mercury retrograde.
Oh, this
SPEAKER_01 (02:17):
retrograde has not been a joke.
SPEAKER_00 (02:20):
That's for sure.
Well, I'm always thinkingpositively.
We You are here, we're finallyspeaking with you, and I'm very,
very excited to get to know youa little bit more.
SPEAKER_01 (02:29):
Likewise,
SPEAKER_00 (02:30):
likewise.
Thank you for having me.
Of course, of course.
You know, the first thing I didwhen I was researching your
story, I went to Instagram, andI realized you have like 6,000
posts.
And it took me, I kid you not,maybe 10 minutes to scroll and
scroll and scroll.
I wanted to see the firstpicture.
(02:50):
Wow.
The first post you posted.
SPEAKER_01 (02:53):
No, you didn't.
SPEAKER_00 (02:54):
Do you remember what was your first post, first
picture?
SPEAKER_01 (02:57):
My first picture, I think I do remember.
It's a picture of me in myhouse.
It was, I think, a month or twoafter moving to L.A.
And it was just like a pictureof me in my bedroom, I think.
SPEAKER_00 (03:14):
You're very close.
No, that was your second tolast.
The first one was a portrait ofKellis.
SPEAKER_01 (03:22):
Wow.
And you said, I love her.
Wow.
It
SPEAKER_00 (03:24):
was a beautiful portrait, and I love her.
I'm like, oh my God, I reallyscrolled to the very bottom to
see what was your very, veryfirst post.
And you're right, the firstimages were of you, I guess, the
first time in LA.
So tell me about that.
You've had such an incrediblecareer from Nigeria to Los
Angeles to Texas to New York.
Tell us what place really madean impact on your life,
(03:48):
career-wise and personally.
I
SPEAKER_01 (03:51):
would say of all the places that I've lived,
different countries and statesall around America.
The place that had the biggestimpact in my life.
Whoa, that's such a hardquestion.
Damn, the biggest impact in mylife.
(04:18):
I would say maybe Texas, livingin Houston.
That was like the adolescentpart of my childhood, you know,
like middle school and highschool.
And it was when I started makinglike my real friends and
discovering who I was and what Ireally wanted to do.
(04:40):
And going through that phase inHouston and Texas in a place
where I felt kind of likestifled where I felt like I
couldn't be as creative aspossible, I think that ignited
something in me.
Like it gave me a strongerdrive.
You know, it's like when youput, you know, when you're in a
(05:01):
box, but you can see outside ofthe box and you're just like, it
gives you the, you know, thaturge to come out.
And I think that, you know,being in Texas and for my
adolescent years really played alarge role, you know, going
through just like my trials andstarting designing for the first
(05:24):
time, you know, for my friendsand, you know, just using my
friends as my muses.
That's the best way.
It's the best way and it's stillwhat I do.
You know, it's still what I do.
I still, if you're my friend andwe're going out together and
you're around, most likely youmight end up leaving in a
different outfit than you cameto my house with.
SPEAKER_00 (05:46):
Lucky friends.
Lucky friends.
What does it What does it taketo be in the circle of UGA?
SPEAKER_01 (05:50):
It takes a lot.
SPEAKER_00 (05:52):
Give us one, two, three cheat codes.
SPEAKER_01 (05:54):
To be in the circle of friends, I mean, it takes
individuality.
It takes confidence.
It takes self-assurance.
And it takes knowledge.
And I appreciate people thathave, and not...
(06:18):
I don't care about fashionknowledge or just entertainment
knowledge, but just knowsomething.
Know something.
Be studied in gemology orarchaeology or be a doctor, but
know something and be good atyour craft and be able to teach
me.
I think I'm very attracted topeople that can teach me.
(06:42):
So whether you're an intern oran assistant or an executive,
you better have...
like something to add to theconversation, you know, that's
what I think it takes.
SPEAKER_00 (06:53):
I love that because I feel like we always have to be
in that learning stage.
As if, if you know everything,you feel like you know
everything means like your lifeis over, right?
There's nothing else left foryou to discover, right?
SPEAKER_01 (07:04):
I always say that.
Like the day you knoweverything, you better start
counting.
Exactly, time to go.
Because you're done.
Right?
I just don't think, I mean, theworld is just so vast there's so
much beauty in culture andtraveling and in tribes that you
(07:25):
can never know too much and youknow I actually feel bad for
people that you know when youencounter people that just like
feel blocked like you just likeyou can't tell them nothing like
they just have like they justfeel like they know everything
you know like for me thatmentality is it's the worst
SPEAKER_00 (07:45):
you pretend to know everything
SPEAKER_01 (07:46):
it's the worst
SPEAKER_00 (07:47):
there's no possibly you you can know everything.
It's discovering yourselfprobably the hardest.
I
SPEAKER_01 (07:52):
mean, exactly.
It's like, how can you evenfully know your own self when,
you know, each chapter, eachera, I feel like we should
reinvent, you know, we shouldchange as evident.
Right now, like with the AIcoming into the world, if you're
not changing and reinventingyourself with the new
technology, then you're alreadybeing left behind.
(08:14):
So
SPEAKER_00 (08:14):
speaking of AI, that actually was my like question
number 10, but since youmentioned it how do you feel is
AI a threat to creatives and doyou actually use it for yourself
in any of your creative projectsat all or how do you feel about
that
SPEAKER_01 (08:32):
I don't think AI is a threat to creatives to answer
the first question I believethat AI is an amazing assistant
guide like help for creatives Ibelieve that, you know, it's a
great tool to use to get to yourvision faster.
(08:55):
You know, no matter what it is,whether you're in the research
phase or the creation phase, youcan get there so much faster.
You know, I use AI every singleday, I would say.
That chat chief is here and Iare besties.
SPEAKER_00 (09:10):
I know, especially for emails.
For
SPEAKER_01 (09:13):
emails, for conversations, replying hard
messages.
Right.
Like I'll literally take ascreenshot of the text message.
SPEAKER_00 (09:21):
Reply, you hate them, but be nice.
SPEAKER_01 (09:25):
Like reply to this.
This is an old friend of mine.
We're not in the best termsright now, but I want to reply
heartfelt, but stern.
Reply to this message.
SPEAKER_00 (09:38):
But isn't it crazy?
Because now it feels like wedon't even know how to express
ourselves anymore, right?
Relying on the machine.
SPEAKER_01 (09:44):
No, because like...
because it's still expressingyour feelings.
It's not going to make up anidea for you.
It's just articulating itbetter.
You know, imagine it like, youknow, it's like a therapist, you
know, or a best friend.
SPEAKER_00 (10:00):
A lot of people use ChatGPT as their therapist.
SPEAKER_01 (10:03):
I can understand.
SPEAKER_00 (10:04):
You know, replying to ex-boyfriends.
I
SPEAKER_01 (10:06):
can understand because it's a system that, you
know, like the knowledge that itholds is so vast and diverse,
you know, when talking to atherapist, right?
It's a human being.
A therapist can only respondbased on their perspective, what
(10:27):
they've been through, what theyknow.
And that's limited, you know,through their background, their
experiences.
But when you ask Chachi PT, it'sjust telling you the answer
based off of like the world.
SPEAKER_00 (10:41):
Well, so then AI is not a threat for creators, but
AI is a threat for therapists,lawyers, right?
pretty much kind of thisprofession is my
SPEAKER_01 (10:50):
you could you could consider it a threat again or
you can consider it an assetit's your choice it's your
choice right like as a lawyer ifI was a lawyer I would have for
sure been using AI but at theend of the day like what makes a
creative a creative what theyare is the ability to tap in you
(11:19):
know like as a creative we'retapping into a source you know i
call it god some call it theuniverse you can call it energy
but you're tapping into a sourcethat's feeding you this
information these ideas thisvision right and that to me is
the magic of artistry is thatmessage that you're translating
(11:41):
that you're receiving right idon't believe that ai
necessarily has the ability toreceive those same messages,
right?
So like AI can only give youadvice or visions based on what
(12:02):
already exists, what's alreadyout there, what already exists.
And a lot of times when you'retapping in to ideas or things,
it may not already, it may notexist.
It may be unrealistic.
It may be farfetched.
But how many times have you hadan idea or a goal that you
thought was unrealistic, but youachieved it.
SPEAKER_00 (12:21):
Every single day.
SPEAKER_01 (12:23):
Exactly.
So I think that that's somethingthat humans will always have as
an advantage.
I mean, who knows where it goes,but at least for today, that's
our advantage.
Our advantage is the ability totake risks, right?
And to do things that are notexpected or are not logical or
(12:46):
don't make sense.
Because sometimes that's whatreally creates like the magic.
You're like, yo, I would havenever expected those two things
to come together and make thatbeauty.
But that's like what the abilitythat we have and we have to
understand and own, right?
As soon as you stop believing inyour ability to create magic,
(13:07):
now that's when AI comes andtakes over.
I
SPEAKER_00 (13:09):
love that.
The way you put, especially withthe smile on your face, you're
very positive because I do knowa lot of people feel feel
threatened by it, but they don'tunderstand what you just
explained, right?
You cannot never replace thehumanity, right?
Our soul, our feelings tappinginto the source.
And speaking of the source, howdo you personally connect to
(13:30):
that source?
What does it take for you toreally get that inspiration?
Where is it coming from?
SPEAKER_01 (13:39):
The inspiration, my inspiration comes from all sorts
of places.
But when it comes to tapping into the source and connecting
with higher power.
Like this is like, it's part ofmy daily routine, you know,
before my day even starts.
I have this conscious ideologythat, you know, when I first
(14:04):
wake up, the first thing that Iput my mind to is what owns my
day.
That's what is dictating thecourse of my day.
So when I wake up, it took me awhile.
And I still slip sometimes, butwhen I wake up, I try to be
conscious about not touching myphone at all.
First thing I do is I say mygratitude meditations.
(14:28):
You know, I speak about beinggrateful for waking up today.
Like how amazing is it?
I get to see another day and Ijust speak to God and it's a
gratitude release.
And I just take time just...
articulating what I'm gratefulfor while my parents are still
alive and happy, my siblings arehealthy, I'm healthy.
(14:50):
And then after, and it's usuallybetween three to five minutes,
sometimes it's one minute, youknow, but I put that effort of
gratitude first.
And then I touch my phone and Iroll over and I step into the
world.
And I think that alone, likethat first step allows me to to
(15:13):
remember what dictates my day.
So throughout my day, I'm justtapping into that gratitude.
You know,
SPEAKER_00 (15:18):
it's such an incredible thing you said
because I was just thinkingabout gratitude today in the
morning and I thought every daywe wake up and the more we
succeed, we always will wantmore.
More success, more fame, biggerprojects, you know, bigger
collaborations, bigger thingsthat we want for our life.
But we forget what's the mostimportant to be grateful for
(15:41):
today.
You already achieved You alreadycame to this place right now.
You wake up, you're healthy, youhave all these things.
And if you look back at yourselffive, 10 years ago, you probably
couldn't even imagine yourselfhaving what you have right now.
SPEAKER_02 (15:52):
And
SPEAKER_00 (15:53):
the way I thought about gratitude, I mean,
honestly, I woke up and I hadtears in my eyes just thinking
about, okay, I'm actuallygrateful for my health, for my
family, for my friends.
And we don't do that enough.
And the way I mentioned it wasmy exact thought today in the
morning when I woke up.
SPEAKER_01 (16:10):
See, like now imagine making that a daily
habit.
It's
SPEAKER_00 (16:13):
incredible.
No, see, I just had this randomthought.
I don't know if it'ssynchronicity, but a lot of
people forget to thank universe,God, for what you have right
now, because tomorrow may nevercome, right?
SPEAKER_01 (16:25):
It's so true.
SPEAKER_00 (16:26):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (16:27):
It's so true.
It's such a special thing.
And, you know, I'm just sograteful to be here.
You know, I was born in Nigeria,in Enugu, in a very small city,
like rural to the urban areasand for me to be able to come
(16:47):
from there you know to be whereI am today where I was 10 years
ago like I feel like every dayis a miracle you know I feel
like every day is a I'm alottery winner you know and
that's why it's it's just soimportant for me to tap into
that gratitude because itreminds me of what's really
important especially when you'rein this industry like in
(17:09):
entertainment you know that's infashion especially that's ruled
by material and ruled by someoneelse's opinion on beauty and
their own standards.
It's very important to have asense of grounding and have
(17:29):
different routines and thingsthat keep me centered on what's
really important because it's soeasy to forget and be like,
damn, everyone else has peoplewho are doing this Look what's
happening here.
They're going here.
But it's like, does it reallymatter at the end of the day?
SPEAKER_00 (17:50):
I love you're so positive.
And I wonder, some people mayask, it's easy to say or be
grateful when you reach acertain point of success.
But I remember in one of theinterviews, you said that before
this iconic Met Gala that youwere part of, you said you had
zero clients before that.
So did you feel the samegratitude at those hard times
(18:11):
that you had?
SPEAKER_01 (18:13):
I always say that your true level of gratitude is
tested during the hard times.
That's what gratitude is.
It's not about, oh, beinggrateful because you got that
Range Rover or you finally gotthe Lamborghini or the G-Wagon
or that whatever.
(18:33):
Now I'm finally grateful.
That's easy to be grateful then,but it's being grateful when you
don't have.
Being grateful after you lostthe job, being grateful after
you lost the client, beinggrateful after things didn't go
the way you expected it to gobecause you trust, because you
(18:54):
trust your ability, because youtrust God, because you trust
that what you've put in thisuniverse is going to come out to
you.
Like that's when gratitude isreally tested.
You know, it's when it's not asobvious.
SPEAKER_00 (19:07):
And maybe it's all about the perspective because if
you think it's a failure, maybeyou're clearing the space for
bigger things, for better thingsfor you.
You think maybe this is the bestthing that's supposed to happen
to you, but at the end of theday, it's not.
Your best thing is still outthere.
You just have to be patient, begrateful, and to wait for that
moment, but have the rightalignment in your mindset.
SPEAKER_01 (19:30):
It's so true.
I mean, it's like to circle backto the Met Gala.
SPEAKER_00 (19:33):
Like
SPEAKER_01 (19:34):
you mentioned, about six weeks before the Met Gala, I
had just lost a client that Iwas betting so much on.
I thought it was going to belike this big thing in my mind.
I already clocked the wholemoment, how epic it was going to
be.
So when that happened, I wasjust like, immediately I knew, I
(19:57):
was like, yo, this has to be atest because there's no way.
There's a bigger plan.
There's got to be a bigger planbecause there's no way God would
let me put all this effort andpassion and love into something
that just disappears justvanishes so when that happened I
(20:19):
was just like you know what Godthis is not what I expected this
is not you know this isdefinitely not what I thought
was going to happen today but Itrust you and I'm so grateful
for this that happened I'm sograteful this happened because I
know that there's something onits way like there's something
(20:40):
coming and literally just sureenough it didn't take up to one
week wow for it to show it soi'm like okay there it is
SPEAKER_00 (20:51):
well let's talk about that i know um the most
iconic moment of course wasdiana ross but my favorite
moment was with kabylami thevintage clock look for boss
right can we talk about thatstorytelling what was the idea
behind it that was personally myfavorite look out of all
SPEAKER_01 (21:10):
thank you but honestly That was a look that
was, it was a collaboration withBoss, the incredible designer,
Marco.
He's one of my favoritedesigners in the entire world.
Honestly, he's such aunderstated designer.
Like he's not trying to be inthe forefront, but when he
(21:32):
creates, he creates magic.
And so, yeah, him and I workedtogether for this Met Gala to
put these together.
But for Kabi, it was super.
It's super fun because Kalbi isa talent, an artist that's just
like, as you see, he's down foranything.
His storytelling abilities areincredible.
(21:55):
He can tell a full movie in fiveseconds with no words, with no
words.
So for Marco, it's like, how dowe translate this incredible
artist and capture what he is,who he is, on this carpet and
just the idea of like he's theking of TikTok
SPEAKER_00 (22:18):
oh maybe that's why TikTok he's the king of
SPEAKER_01 (22:21):
TikTok you know yeah and we were like what is what is
TikTok you know the clocks andat first it was gonna be like
one time piece a strong one butMarco was like you know what
like let's take it there so thenlet's just go all for it and we
decided to you know more is moreis the Met Gala if you're gonna
(22:42):
go all out and create astatement and a moment like
that's the night so yeah Kabiwas the perfect muse to pull off
this like timeless timelessliterally I love that time full
timeless piece yes
SPEAKER_00 (22:58):
it proves that fashion is storytelling right
you're using technically objectsbut those objects have meaning
and they have story and alsoit's connected to the character
to the talent you're workingwith right it's telling his
story as
SPEAKER_01 (23:11):
well absolutely I think that's that's the beauty
of what I do is, you know, beingable, you know, it's a lot of,
it's psychology, it's therapy,it's like mind reading, but it
takes someone who has theability to read between the
lines and also be able tounderstand and translate
(23:35):
people's stories, like throughfashion.
You know, for me, it's like whenI have a client, right?
is to bring out their higherselves.
I always say, I want to makeyour wildest dreams.
When you were a little girl andyou used to dream of yourself
(23:56):
when you were an adult or aprincess, what does that look?
What does your ultimate dreamlook like?
And that's what I want to bringto life.
But that's the storytelling.
You have to understand theperson, understand what they're
insecurities are and like whatthey love and like what they
what they're confident about.
(24:17):
And to tell that throughclothing and through fashion,
that's what I love and keeps mein there.
SPEAKER_00 (24:24):
So you are a magician, pretty much.
Magician slash therapist.
SPEAKER_01 (24:28):
You could call it that.
SPEAKER_00 (24:30):
Yeah, because you do create magic.
I mean, fashion in a way, in mysense, is an illusion, right?
We create this fantasy worldthat makes us feel better, gets
us excited, you know, motivatesus.
And especially you know you'vebeen doing mad gala looks what
for 10 years i didn't even knowright am i right for so many
years and i'm sure you've doneso many incredible looks do you
(24:51):
have any favorite look thatyou've i know it's hard to say
because i mean so so many youknow amazing mind-blowing looks
but is it something that standsout in your mind
SPEAKER_01 (25:03):
honestly i'm just i'm so blessed that the answer
to this is always the same wheni'm asked who my favorite client
or favorite look is like I feellike I know my favorite Met Gala
look is the most present likeDiana Ross for the Met Gala to
(25:24):
me is something that like as achild you know as a kid to think
of that moment would have beenmind blowing back then you know
it's just something it's alifelong achievement that I
think is just like somethingthat I will always be proud of
forever.
And the look itself, every timeI see it, when it comes around,
(25:49):
it was in the New York Timesfront cover.
Every time I see it, it's alwayslike reliving the moment over
again.
And yeah, it's so special.
Even when I'm asked who myfavorite clients are, it's
always like my current client.
My current projects always keepme so...
I live in in the present, youknow, and I'm blessed to have
(26:16):
incredible projects in theforefront.
Like right now I'm makingoutfits for Blue Ivy, for the
Cowboy Carter tour.
And you know, it's my first timeworking with an artist in that
age.
Like I've done, I think I'vedone like young guys around 13,
14, but a young girl at thatage, such a delicate, and just
(26:44):
to be able to work in that andbring it to life is so special
and it's so fun and I'm enjoyingit.
So yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (26:53):
Well, I'm really happy for you.
Congratulations on all of theseamazing projects.
Do you think sometimes that youset your bar so high and once
you had this moment thateverybody's talking about, do
you think the next time has tolike outdo your previous iconic
moment?
You're like, okay, what's next?
How bigger and more dramatic andmore creative you have to be
(27:16):
next time to upkeep to yourprevious achievements?
SPEAKER_01 (27:19):
No, I feel like the best is yet to come.
I
SPEAKER_00 (27:23):
love that.
I
SPEAKER_01 (27:24):
feel like I'm just getting started.
You know, every moment I'm sograteful for.
But like I said earlier, Ialways feel like the ultimate
student.
I feel like I'm still learning.
I still have so much to do, somuch to achieve.
But at the same time, I'mgrateful for what I've done so
(27:45):
far, but there's so much more todo.
SPEAKER_00 (27:49):
And because of your mentality, that's why you're not
limiting yourself to onespecific thing.
So you're a stylist and you'realso a designer.
You have your own line, right?
Yes.
Can you talk a little bit more?
What does it even mean?
How did it come along and wheredoes it stand right now?
Yes,
SPEAKER_01 (28:10):
absolutely.
Let's talk about, yeah.
11.16 is my fashion line.
It's my brand, my baby.
It's my life's work.
It took about 15 years of mycareer as a costume designer,
creative director, fashion,celebrity stylist to come and
(28:31):
launch and put this out.
And it's funny because we'restill pre-launch.
It's not officially
SPEAKER_00 (28:36):
out.
Wait, what?
It's not even official out?
I don't
SPEAKER_01 (28:41):
believe you.
It's not officially We had asoft launch about a year ago and
we're building a brand out, butit's been, this is all
marketing, it's all strategicpartnerships, but we're planning
to officially launch at the topof next year.
And for me, it's again, back tothe storytelling, it's about, I
(29:07):
wanted to create something thatallows me to tell my story the
story of where I came from,beautifully, artistically, to
give people the opportunity tosee Nigeria and Africa the way I
see it.
As an immigrant growing up inAmerica, coming from Africa, I
(29:29):
had to always constantly fightthe kids about, no, Africa is
not just this dirty place withflies and living in huts and
just all these stereotypes andideas that they see from
national of geographics andwhatnot growing up.
And I, as a kid, it was just sofrustrating and like, you know,
just saddening.
(29:49):
But as I, as I grew up andstarted working more into the
marketing and storytellingworld, I realized that this is
what my purpose is, you know,through whether it's fashion or
filmmaking or just whateverartistic expression I choose to
express with.
(30:09):
I am passionate about tellingthe African story, you know, the
way I live it, the way I
SPEAKER_00 (30:16):
see it.
Do you think it's a lot ofresponsibility in your head to
be almost, I don't know, thespokesperson, right, for your
culture, for the place that youwere born?
Do you feel pressure?
SPEAKER_01 (30:27):
The pressure comes sometimes, but thankfully, you
know, I do feel like it's amovement and there are a good
amount of other artists, youknow, whether they're to from
fashion to entertainment tosports that have this same
mission in their hearts toreimagine, to showcase the world
(30:54):
our way or our perspective ofwhat Africa is.
For over 100 years, the media'sperspective has been told from
non-Africans.
Every motion picture and high,big-budget production that had
to do with Africa was told froma perspective of somebody who's
(31:16):
not African or non-black.
And I think with that, you know,you get a lot of the genocide, a
lot of the sympathy, a lot ofthe, you know, the sadness, the
orphans and this and that.
But it's like, there's such a,there's a whole layer, you know,
of Africa that's almost untoldthat, you know, through social
media today and the internet,the world is getting a chance to
(31:38):
see glimpses of it, you know.
But for me, when I started 1160,it was really inspired by, you
know, being able to create abrand that can be a bridge for
culture and fashion.
You know, we're going to haveour, our fashion studio and
fashion house, our Maison inNigeria, but we're going to be,
(32:00):
you know, as we already are,we're servicing and making
clothes that are going to theworld.
You know, a lot of the stuffthat we're making for the cowboy
Carter tour, or even like, youknow, for Diana Ross or our,
Other clients are made rightthere in Nigeria, in Lagos.
SPEAKER_00 (32:15):
That's incredible.
You kind of also in a way givingback, right?
Back to your origins, right?
SPEAKER_01 (32:22):
Yeah, it's so important.
Like we're giving back and we'realso empowering the artists.
You know, there's the weaversand the seamstresses and the
tailors, like the whole, theentire supply chain down to
people that are growing thecotton.
Wow.
that are making the thread outof the cottons.
(32:44):
It's such a beautiful,incredible process that if this
was Hermes or Giorgio Armani orZegna, these people would be
millionaires.
The seamstresses that are in theDior atelier in Paris are very
successful.
They're very notable.
(33:05):
They've been there for decadesand decades and decades because
they're happy.
And that's the kind of structurethat I emulate to create on the
ground is where I can create asystem where I'm really, you
know, just appreciating andworking along with my entire
team in that way.
SPEAKER_00 (33:22):
Well, you're definitely an engine, a fashion
engine and propeller who isalmost like communicating.
I really love that about you.
Didn't you also mention you planto open the first atelier in
Nigeria for your brand?
SPEAKER_01 (33:34):
Yes, yes.
I plan on opening the atelier inLagos, our fashion house.
Everything will be kind of, youknow, the flagship we'll be
there and we'll spread acrossthe world from our Lego
satellites.
SPEAKER_00 (33:48):
Yeah, no, that's incredible.
I mean, we definitely need morevoices like yourself to educate
us, to teach, to expand ourminds, because sometimes it is
very narrow-minded.
We just only think about thingswe see on social media and, you
know, things are being hyped upartificially,
SPEAKER_02 (34:02):
right?
SPEAKER_00 (34:03):
But true authenticity comes from being
authentic and you have yourroots, right?
You were born there.
You have connection.
I know you've done so much somany projects from back home.
And then you also, I would saycosmopolitan, right?
There's nothing that stops you,right?
You travel throughout the worldand you working on this amazing
project.
(34:23):
So speaking further on that, doyou have any favorite or maybe
dream collaboration, either witha person or a brand that's on
your wishlist?
SPEAKER_01 (34:38):
Dream collaborations.
SPEAKER_00 (34:43):
The one I liked while you're thinking, and I
want to ask you, I keep lookingat your slippers.
I don't want to like be soundignorant, but I saw one of your
collaborations, which I liked.
It was a car ride protectionchain on the Barbie dolls,
right?
For Coco and Breezy.
And that was so unique anddifferent.
Like, wow, this is so cool.
(35:05):
And you brought elements of yourculture, something that has
specific meaning to the modernculture and to that
collaboration.
I don't know if you want toexpand on that.
But to me, that was something Ihaven't ever seen before.
And I keep looking at slippers.
I mean, are those shells orthose cowrite?
Yeah, you're
SPEAKER_01 (35:21):
my gold cowrie shows.
SPEAKER_00 (35:23):
What are those?
These
SPEAKER_01 (35:23):
are actually made by my cousin, MJ Gemini.
This is his brand.
But yeah, I'm obsessed withcowrie shows.
I'm obsessed with just anythingthat can give me a little touch
of culture.
Yeah, speaking of the cowrieshows, it was such a beautiful
surprise My best friends, Cocoand Breezy, whose birthday was a
(35:48):
couple days ago.
Shout out to Coco and Breezy.
They actually, they're DJs andthey're incredible.
They're designers as well.
They make the most amazingeyewear.
And I dress them, I style them,especially for their big shows
like Coachella and Met Gala.
We'll collaborate on dope looks.
So the Calorie chain issomething that we have in 1116.
(36:12):
It's part of our collection.
It's actually the only thingavailable to buy right now.
It's the only thing available tobuy is that cowrie chain before
the clothes drop.
I got you.
But yeah, they wear theirs like,I would say maybe like four or
five times a week.
They're wearing it all the time.
And so when Mattel decided to dotheir Barbie, they included, you
(36:35):
know, our 1116 pieces in theactual Barbie look.
So, you We're already
SPEAKER_00 (36:52):
commemorized in a Barbie.
(37:13):
I don't know if it's hyped itup, right?
She tested it there and shelaunched it to a huge success.
So I feel like you're doingsomething very similar than Coco
Chanel, right?
You know, I
SPEAKER_01 (37:22):
never knew that story.
SPEAKER_00 (37:23):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (37:23):
But that's so interesting.
I have to do more research.
I love that.
I resonate.
Give me the Coco Chanel energy.
Yeah,
SPEAKER_00 (37:30):
you totally have it.
I mean, thinking about differentdesigners, even right now, the
most famous brand, which isSchiaparelli, I was thinking
about that brand before it gotbig.
And do you know the actualstory?
No, tell me.
So the actual story ofSchiaparelli was by the designer
named Elsa Schiaparelli.
She was really into surrealismand she did a lot of
(37:52):
collaborations with SalvadorDalí and other artists.
Her famous outfits didn't evenhave a good reception because it
was like a lobster claw or likea lobster phone.
And she was very avant-garde forthe times.
And her brand wasn't really likesuccessful back in the day.
So she created shocking pinkmoment that became a perfume
(38:12):
initiative of the torso and thenher brand kind of died out in
1954 and only 1954 after in 2013the I forgot which I don't know
if it's currying group I forgotwhich big brand group bought the
brand and then Daniel Rosberrybrought it kind of back to life
and gave it like new life butnot many people know where
(38:34):
actually where the brand is so
SPEAKER_01 (38:36):
for over 50 years
SPEAKER_00 (38:36):
yes the brand was dead and now it's like number
one everybody wants to wearScaparelli but nobody talks
about But Elsa, the Elsa, thelady, the little lady, she
actually was a rival for CocoChanel.
They were two rivals.
They were a little like- Yeah,I've heard that
SPEAKER_01 (38:52):
story.
Shout out to Elsa.
SPEAKER_00 (38:53):
Yeah, they were like two little rival ladies.
Yeah, and now it's thisbeautiful brand that has this,
you know, artistic vision to it.
So I love reading stories aboutthat.
SPEAKER_01 (39:02):
And it still feels so authentic.
You know, even like not knowing,if you didn't know the entire
story of Elsa, like you can tellthat the brand is inspired by
artists.
So when you hear about SalvatoreDali, you can still see it.
It makes so much sense.
SPEAKER_00 (39:19):
No, absolutely.
And that's what when you told meabout your brand, I'm like,
okay, sounds very familiar.
You're on the right path, whichalso a marketing, I mean, from
the business perspective, it's agreat technique before you
invest, before you put all yourheart in, you kind of, I don't
know, pre-tease your brand,right?
Get the word going, you know,work with certain people that
align with the vision of yourbrand.
(39:40):
And once you launch it, I mean,to me, it already felt like It's
been out for years.
SPEAKER_01 (39:45):
Thank you.
That means a lot because that'swhat I want it to feel like.
I want it to feel nostalgic andjust comfortable and just to
blend right in and both standout at the same time.
SPEAKER_00 (40:00):
Yeah, you're really doing it.
My next question is how manyproducts or what type of
products?
Because my favorite ones werethe bags.
I don't know what I call theduffel bags.
I love those.
They're so unique and creative.
and just I was like okay Ireally want to have one day one
of those bags so what are theproducts or you know statement
(40:21):
pieces that you plan to launchalready you know available yes
SPEAKER_01 (40:26):
we plan on launching launching in in parts or in
series if you will we're gonnahave 1116 essentials and casual
it's gonna consist of you knowyour track suits like your
bomber jackets and normaltrousers, more everyday.
(40:48):
And then we're gonna go intosuiting.
We'll have our tailored suits,our from double breasted, so
just all types of suiting madeout of our fabrics.
So we're producing our owntextile in Nigeria, also in
Morocco and in Kenya and SouthAfrica.
(41:08):
So we're exploring justdifferent types of textile
making threads um so the idea isto you know we're using our
locally sourced and made fabricsbut we're making like modern
silhouettes and making looksthat you know transcend and have
more just commercial value my
SPEAKER_00 (41:29):
favorite one was the yellow black checkered suit
SPEAKER_01 (41:34):
okay
SPEAKER_00 (41:35):
with the vest and the tie i'm like wow this is
freaking so amazing that was myfavorite one it definitely
stands out and i was thinking inthe back of my head about the
textiles, about the fabrics.
So it's very, very fascinatingthat you actually going from the
grounds up, like from thetextures, from the fabric, from,
you know, involving local, youknow, craftsmen to help you
(41:57):
elevate your brand, but you'realso giving back to the
community.
SPEAKER_01 (41:59):
Yes, we got to keep the art alive.
Keep the art alive.
I was inspired by the artisans.
Well, I took a trip to thisplace called Kogi State in
outside of Lagos about threeyears ago.
And there was this city, thisarea that had like all these
women and men and like younggirls weaving fabrics, like in
(42:23):
these like old vintage systems,like wooden machines with the
threads in between.
And they were sitting thereweaving it all day, making like
looms and looms of fabric.
And I just fell in love.
I was like, this is like, thisis couture.
This is art.
Like this is what people spend alot of money for.
And then for them, it was likealmost like unappreciated by
(42:47):
even by the town.
Like these women were notgetting the love they deserve.
So I was like, yo, I have tolike do something.
I want to use these fabrics.
I want to empower them.
I want to bring them moreopportunities, more jobs and
make them know that what theycreate is valuable.
You know, when they see thosepieces on those stages, it's
(43:09):
like for them, it'sunbelievable.
SPEAKER_00 (43:11):
Well, it's It's not maybe they're not appreciated
because they don't have enoughvisibility that you can help
with.
Because obviously you're such arenowned spokesperson.
People admire you, look up toyou, right?
So you are the connector of thetwo worlds.
I don't wanna speak that highly,but maybe that is your purpose,
right?
SPEAKER_01 (43:30):
I think so.
Yeah.
I think so.
SPEAKER_00 (43:32):
And so you saying that you want to learn and
you're always learning somethingnew.
I think from the businessperspective or from the
financial perspective, if youlook at the percentage What do
you think is the biggestfinancial gain for you in
styling, in your own brand,collaborating with brands?
If you have to give us aballpark, what's your bet in
(43:56):
terms of financial gain in allof the activations that you're a
part of?
SPEAKER_01 (44:01):
I'm blessed to have income and revenue from
different streams.
I don't have to depend on justmy styling clients.
I am a brand ambassador and I'vedone major campaigns myself from
brands from Audemars toMontblanc to Calvin Klein and
(44:25):
Boss and the list goes on.
So I, as myself, I'm able togenerate income by using my
perspective and giving myopinion.
And then as a designer, I'm ableto also create revenue by
selling designs and creatingpieces, from custom couture to
(44:48):
my ready-to-wear pieces alreadymade.
But I do feel like my biggestbusiness is gonna be from my
fashion brand and my designs,because there's nothing like
making products.
There's nothing like having aproduct that can be consumed in
(45:10):
different homes that you're notin.
When you're selling a serviceand you have to physically be
there and be involved for everytime or for every job, it's a
lot harder.
You might make more money.
You might make larger amounts ofmoney, but it requires so much
time.
There's no income like passiveincome.
(45:32):
So to me, I'm looking forward tobuilding my brand in a place
where it's just running andsustaining itself, where I don't
have to be in every room
SPEAKER_00 (45:44):
that it's selling in.
So diversification is key,right?
SPEAKER_01 (45:48):
Very much key.
SPEAKER_00 (45:49):
So it's kind of you have to be and explore different
avenues to truly, you know, besuccessful.
Yes,
SPEAKER_01 (45:55):
especially in fashion, especially when it
comes to like a service job.
If you're a makeup artist or a,you know, creative director or a
choreographer or a hairstylist,you know, or a costume designer,
like these fields, like it's soimportant for you to and not get
caught up or locked in to aclient thinking that it's
(46:18):
forever.
Like you can not put all youreggs in a human's basket.
It's crazy.
Like people are people.
You know, at any moment thingscan change and God forbid that
like, you know, your bills or,you know, your kids or your
family is depending on one jobor one person, you know, you
have to be responsible, youknow, for your own life.
(46:42):
sustainability, because at theend of the day, if one door
closes, what happens next?
So I think it's important foranybody that's an artist.
There comes a point in yourartistry where you become Denzel
Washington, or you become aKehinde Wiley as a painter,
where you don't have to take onall these jobs, but I do think
(47:04):
that it's important for artistson their journey to their space
to be open to doing otherthings, other jobs that can
benefit them in their field.
It's important to also not takejust any job.
(47:24):
It's important that whateverfield or whatever you're working
on is able to add value to thebigger goal.
SPEAKER_00 (47:31):
Right, because especially in the fashion
industry, it's not a secureindustry to be in.
Today, you're on top.
Tomorrow, everybody forgetsabout you.
And tomorrow, you may havenothing.
So what you're saying is to haveprobably plan A, B, and C to
have always a backup.
Don't put all eggs, like yousaid, in one basket, right?
Yes.
So if you have to give onebusiness advice for stylists who
(47:55):
are really creative, alreadymaybe have some small client
base, but they're not reallythere financially, what one
business tip you can give themto kind of get to that next
level?
SPEAKER_01 (48:10):
For stylists that are...
on the way up, but are not yetsustaining themselves
financially with styling andfashion, I'll recommend that
they get a stable job somewhereelse in fashion, whether it's PR
(48:31):
or marketing or assisting acreative director or a stylist.
There's no better way to learnthan to be working on ground,
right?
Like there's really no schoolor, you know, education program
that's going to teach you how toget clients or teach you how to
(48:52):
like network.
Like there's nothing likehands-on training when it comes
to fashion.
So I would say just put yourselfout there to be in situations
and places that will constantlyallow you to be in rooms where
you can network and grow.
You know, you're only as big asYou're only as big as who you're
(49:16):
working with.
You can be the most talentedperson with all these ideas.
You can memorize every singleseason of every single fashion
show.
But if you don't have anyclients to dress and work with,
you're just a storyteller, justtelling stories, having a good
time.
(49:36):
But it's like, you have to putyourself out there.
I think that one of the worst,things you can do is convince
yourself that you're waiting forthe right time like that's the
worst thing you can do there'snever going to be a right time
SPEAKER_00 (49:52):
the right time is now
SPEAKER_01 (49:54):
the right time is now
SPEAKER_00 (49:55):
I like to say if not now then when if not you then
who
SPEAKER_01 (49:58):
exactly
SPEAKER_00 (50:00):
no I love it so you are very handsome and you walk
the runway shows you've been incampaigns you are pretty much
like a walking billboard rightfor your brands and for your
services So do you believe it'san ego or it's a good way to be
a spokesperson for your ownideas, for your own concepts,
(50:23):
for your own brand?
How do you use your IP?
SPEAKER_01 (50:26):
I feel like you have to be delusional about your
belief in yourself.
Like you have to believe inyourself so much that when you
speak about your vision topeople, like they feel silly for
doubting you.
Like that That's the level ofbelief that you have in
yourself.
And I think that's what it takesto make it in any field, in any
(50:48):
career, is that confidence.
You know, if you don't believein yourself, nobody else will.
SPEAKER_00 (50:53):
That's so powerful because in my experience, the
most humble people, the mosttalented, but they're so shy and
they don't really want to getthemselves out there to use
themselves as their own voicebecause they feel too shy or
they feel too humble.
And the loudest people...
usually get what they need toget might not be the most
(51:15):
talented people right but theyhave ability to speak for
themselves
SPEAKER_02 (51:18):
yes
SPEAKER_00 (51:18):
so what you said is very very relevant and guys make
notes right believe in yourselfgain that confidence put
yourself out there step by stepand at least by showcasing
yourself right you might get thedoor open somebody else might
notice you you might think likeokay nobody cares right nobody
watches your stories nobodyfollows you but you never know
(51:39):
where that person will see youIt's
SPEAKER_01 (51:43):
so true.
It's so true.
I believe in that so much.
And, you know, I think that whenit comes to discovery, you know,
it's an energy.
You have to be a magnet.
Like these days, like I thinkalways you attract what you put
out.
You attract what you really,really want.
(52:05):
If you're approaching situationswith high anxiety and high
doubt, that's repelling.
you're repelling the situation.
Nobody is going to invest theirtime and their money and their
passion into somebody who's noteven sure.
That's a big risk.
SPEAKER_00 (52:27):
No, wow.
It's words of wisdom becausethings like that need to be
heard and needs to be voiced.
As many people, there's so manytalented people, but that's one
skill that they're lacking orthey may not be aware of.
But you just said well, it'sincredible so we'll go and
(52:47):
having so many achievements,right?
Including now you've been on theadvisory board for the Fashion
Trust Arabia Prize 2025.
You've won awards.
You've been on the covers of themagazines.
What's next for you?
What's besides your brand,right?
Is there any project that youhad in the back of your mind or
any collaboration, anything thatbeen sitting there and waiting
(53:10):
for its release?
Is there something that's outthere that you're planning to
execute in the near future?
What's next?
What's
SPEAKER_01 (53:18):
next?
I would say, I don't know whenit's going to be executed.
I'm not sure.
I can't tell you a timeline, butI would say to definitely look
out for Chief Ugo Amosie, thefilmmaker.
Because that's going to be thehome run.
SPEAKER_00 (53:39):
You know, interesting you mentioned that
because when you were talkingabout Nigeria, I was thinking
you need to make a documentary.
you need to put it on camera youneed to give the voice to those
people right to the communityit's coming wow we're aligning
on that yes indeed well I'mwishing you nothing but the best
and knowing you from the youknow from the outside
(54:01):
perspective and feeling youright now I feel nothing is
impossible for you and I knowyou're a go-getter I know you're
gonna achieve it all and justone more remark I wanted to
point out before we finish Iknow your father is here with us
and it's what's up pops I thinkhe's sleeping.
SPEAKER_02 (54:21):
This
SPEAKER_00 (54:21):
conversation is so sweet.
You got him here.
And I know how important it iswhen your family supports you
and you're there for you.
And it's so sweet that he'shere.
And I appreciate you bringingyour father here.
Thank you for having us.
I don't take it for
SPEAKER_01 (54:34):
granted any day.
It's part of our morninggratitude, being grateful for
our parents and everything thatwe have.
So, yeah, I appreciate it too.
SPEAKER_00 (54:44):
Absolutely.
Well, on this beautiful note...
like to wrap up our conversationthank you for being on the basic
show thank
SPEAKER_02 (54:55):
you
SPEAKER_00 (55:00):
victoria it was so great to be here thank
SPEAKER_02 (55:05):
you
I always say that your true level of gratitude is
tested during the hard times.
That's what gratitude is.
I always say that.
The day you know everything, youbetter start counting.
Exactly.
Time to go.
Our advantage is the ability totake risks.
(00:24):
You cannot put all your eggs ina human's basket.
It's crazy.
People are people.
When I first wake up, the firstthing that I put my mind to is
what owns my day.
I think that when it comes todiscovery, it's an energy.
(00:44):
You have to be a magnet.
I feel like you have to bedelusional about your belief in
yourself.
You have to believe in yourselfso much that when you speak
about your vision to people,feel silly for doubting you
SPEAKER_00 (01:01):
they say luxury is a lifestyle i say it's a mindset
and this one comes with roomservice here at the mayborn
where european charm meetscalifornia flair i don't just
check in i reset because realpower isn't loud it's knowing
(01:23):
when to ghost the noise anddraft something far more lasting
behind the scenes.
The Mayborn Beverly Hills.
(01:50):
Welcome to The Basic Show.
Today's season is...
Secret Garden, and I have veryspecial guests that I've been
waiting forever to interview.
Hugo Mousier is our very specialguest.
Hi, Hugo.
SPEAKER_01 (02:04):
Hello, hello, Victoria.
SPEAKER_00 (02:05):
Welcome to The Basic Show.
SPEAKER_01 (02:07):
Thank you.
It's a pleasure to be here.
Thank you for having me.
SPEAKER_00 (02:10):
Yes, thank you for coming.
We were just talking earlier howthings have been working off
with the Mercury retrograde.
Oh, this
SPEAKER_01 (02:17):
retrograde has not been a joke.
SPEAKER_00 (02:20):
That's for sure.
Well, I'm always thinkingpositively.
We You are here, we're finallyspeaking with you, and I'm very,
very excited to get to know youa little bit more.
SPEAKER_01 (02:29):
Likewise,
SPEAKER_00 (02:30):
likewise.
Thank you for having me.
Of course, of course.
You know, the first thing I didwhen I was researching your
story, I went to Instagram, andI realized you have like 6,000
posts.
And it took me, I kid you not,maybe 10 minutes to scroll and
scroll and scroll.
I wanted to see the firstpicture.
(02:50):
Wow.
The first post you posted.
SPEAKER_01 (02:53):
No, you didn't.
SPEAKER_00 (02:54):
Do you remember what was your first post, first
picture?
SPEAKER_01 (02:57):
My first picture, I think I do remember.
It's a picture of me in myhouse.
It was, I think, a month or twoafter moving to L.A.
And it was just like a pictureof me in my bedroom, I think.
SPEAKER_00 (03:14):
You're very close.
No, that was your second tolast.
The first one was a portrait ofKellis.
SPEAKER_01 (03:22):
Wow.
And you said, I love her.
Wow.
It
SPEAKER_00 (03:24):
was a beautiful portrait, and I love her.
I'm like, oh my God, I reallyscrolled to the very bottom to
see what was your very, veryfirst post.
And you're right, the firstimages were of you, I guess, the
first time in LA.
So tell me about that.
You've had such an incrediblecareer from Nigeria to Los
Angeles to Texas to New York.
Tell us what place really madean impact on your life,
(03:48):
career-wise and personally.
I
SPEAKER_01 (03:51):
would say of all the places that I've lived,
different countries and statesall around America.
The place that had the biggestimpact in my life.
Whoa, that's such a hardquestion.
Damn, the biggest impact in mylife.
(04:18):
I would say maybe Texas, livingin Houston.
That was like the adolescentpart of my childhood, you know,
like middle school and highschool.
And it was when I started makinglike my real friends and
discovering who I was and what Ireally wanted to do.
(04:40):
And going through that phase inHouston and Texas in a place
where I felt kind of likestifled where I felt like I
couldn't be as creative aspossible, I think that ignited
something in me.
Like it gave me a strongerdrive.
You know, it's like when youput, you know, when you're in a
(05:01):
box, but you can see outside ofthe box and you're just like, it
gives you the, you know, thaturge to come out.
And I think that, you know,being in Texas and for my
adolescent years really played alarge role, you know, going
through just like my trials andstarting designing for the first
(05:24):
time, you know, for my friendsand, you know, just using my
friends as my muses.
That's the best way.
It's the best way and it's stillwhat I do.
You know, it's still what I do.
I still, if you're my friend andwe're going out together and
you're around, most likely youmight end up leaving in a
different outfit than you cameto my house with.
SPEAKER_00 (05:46):
Lucky friends.
Lucky friends.
What does it What does it taketo be in the circle of UGA?
SPEAKER_01 (05:50):
It takes a lot.
SPEAKER_00 (05:52):
Give us one, two, three cheat codes.
SPEAKER_01 (05:54):
To be in the circle of friends, I mean, it takes
individuality.
It takes confidence.
It takes self-assurance.
And it takes knowledge.
And I appreciate people thathave, and not...
(06:18):
I don't care about fashionknowledge or just entertainment
knowledge, but just knowsomething.
Know something.
Be studied in gemology orarchaeology or be a doctor, but
know something and be good atyour craft and be able to teach
me.
I think I'm very attracted topeople that can teach me.
(06:42):
So whether you're an intern oran assistant or an executive,
you better have...
like something to add to theconversation, you know, that's
what I think it takes.
SPEAKER_00 (06:53):
I love that because I feel like we always have to be
in that learning stage.
As if, if you know everything,you feel like you know
everything means like your lifeis over, right?
There's nothing else left foryou to discover, right?
SPEAKER_01 (07:04):
I always say that.
Like the day you knoweverything, you better start
counting.
Exactly, time to go.
Because you're done.
Right?
I just don't think, I mean, theworld is just so vast there's so
much beauty in culture andtraveling and in tribes that you
(07:25):
can never know too much and youknow I actually feel bad for
people that you know when youencounter people that just like
feel blocked like you just likeyou can't tell them nothing like
they just have like they justfeel like they know everything
you know like for me thatmentality is it's the worst
SPEAKER_00 (07:45):
you pretend to know everything
SPEAKER_01 (07:46):
it's the worst
SPEAKER_00 (07:47):
there's no possibly you you can know everything.
It's discovering yourselfprobably the hardest.
I
SPEAKER_01 (07:52):
mean, exactly.
It's like, how can you evenfully know your own self when,
you know, each chapter, eachera, I feel like we should
reinvent, you know, we shouldchange as evident.
Right now, like with the AIcoming into the world, if you're
not changing and reinventingyourself with the new
technology, then you're alreadybeing left behind.
(08:14):
So
SPEAKER_00 (08:14):
speaking of AI, that actually was my like question
number 10, but since youmentioned it how do you feel is
AI a threat to creatives and doyou actually use it for yourself
in any of your creative projectsat all or how do you feel about
that
SPEAKER_01 (08:32):
I don't think AI is a threat to creatives to answer
the first question I believethat AI is an amazing assistant
guide like help for creatives Ibelieve that, you know, it's a
great tool to use to get to yourvision faster.
(08:55):
You know, no matter what it is,whether you're in the research
phase or the creation phase, youcan get there so much faster.
You know, I use AI every singleday, I would say.
That chat chief is here and Iare besties.
SPEAKER_00 (09:10):
I know, especially for emails.
For
SPEAKER_01 (09:13):
emails, for conversations, replying hard
messages.
Right.
Like I'll literally take ascreenshot of the text message.
SPEAKER_00 (09:21):
Reply, you hate them, but be nice.
SPEAKER_01 (09:25):
Like reply to this.
This is an old friend of mine.
We're not in the best termsright now, but I want to reply
heartfelt, but stern.
Reply to this message.
SPEAKER_00 (09:38):
But isn't it crazy?
Because now it feels like wedon't even know how to express
ourselves anymore, right?
Relying on the machine.
SPEAKER_01 (09:44):
No, because like...
because it's still expressingyour feelings.
It's not going to make up anidea for you.
It's just articulating itbetter.
You know, imagine it like, youknow, it's like a therapist, you
know, or a best friend.
SPEAKER_00 (10:00):
A lot of people use ChatGPT as their therapist.
SPEAKER_01 (10:03):
I can understand.
SPEAKER_00 (10:04):
You know, replying to ex-boyfriends.
I
SPEAKER_01 (10:06):
can understand because it's a system that, you
know, like the knowledge that itholds is so vast and diverse,
you know, when talking to atherapist, right?
It's a human being.
A therapist can only respondbased on their perspective, what
(10:27):
they've been through, what theyknow.
And that's limited, you know,through their background, their
experiences.
But when you ask Chachi PT, it'sjust telling you the answer
based off of like the world.
SPEAKER_00 (10:41):
Well, so then AI is not a threat for creators, but
AI is a threat for therapists,lawyers, right?
pretty much kind of thisprofession is my
SPEAKER_01 (10:50):
you could you could consider it a threat again or
you can consider it an assetit's your choice it's your
choice right like as a lawyer ifI was a lawyer I would have for
sure been using AI but at theend of the day like what makes a
creative a creative what theyare is the ability to tap in you
(11:19):
know like as a creative we'retapping into a source you know i
call it god some call it theuniverse you can call it energy
but you're tapping into a sourcethat's feeding you this
information these ideas thisvision right and that to me is
the magic of artistry is thatmessage that you're translating
(11:41):
that you're receiving right idon't believe that ai
necessarily has the ability toreceive those same messages,
right?
So like AI can only give youadvice or visions based on what
(12:02):
already exists, what's alreadyout there, what already exists.
And a lot of times when you'retapping in to ideas or things,
it may not already, it may notexist.
It may be unrealistic.
It may be farfetched.
But how many times have you hadan idea or a goal that you
thought was unrealistic, but youachieved it.
SPEAKER_00 (12:21):
Every single day.
SPEAKER_01 (12:23):
Exactly.
So I think that that's somethingthat humans will always have as
an advantage.
I mean, who knows where it goes,but at least for today, that's
our advantage.
Our advantage is the ability totake risks, right?
And to do things that are notexpected or are not logical or
(12:46):
don't make sense.
Because sometimes that's whatreally creates like the magic.
You're like, yo, I would havenever expected those two things
to come together and make thatbeauty.
But that's like what the abilitythat we have and we have to
understand and own, right?
As soon as you stop believing inyour ability to create magic,
(13:07):
now that's when AI comes andtakes over.
I
SPEAKER_00 (13:09):
love that.
The way you put, especially withthe smile on your face, you're
very positive because I do knowa lot of people feel feel
threatened by it, but they don'tunderstand what you just
explained, right?
You cannot never replace thehumanity, right?
Our soul, our feelings tappinginto the source.
And speaking of the source, howdo you personally connect to
(13:30):
that source?
What does it take for you toreally get that inspiration?
Where is it coming from?
SPEAKER_01 (13:39):
The inspiration, my inspiration comes from all sorts
of places.
But when it comes to tapping into the source and connecting
with higher power.
Like this is like, it's part ofmy daily routine, you know,
before my day even starts.
I have this conscious ideologythat, you know, when I first
(14:04):
wake up, the first thing that Iput my mind to is what owns my
day.
That's what is dictating thecourse of my day.
So when I wake up, it took me awhile.
And I still slip sometimes, butwhen I wake up, I try to be
conscious about not touching myphone at all.
First thing I do is I say mygratitude meditations.
(14:28):
You know, I speak about beinggrateful for waking up today.
Like how amazing is it?
I get to see another day and Ijust speak to God and it's a
gratitude release.
And I just take time just...
articulating what I'm gratefulfor while my parents are still
alive and happy, my siblings arehealthy, I'm healthy.
(14:50):
And then after, and it's usuallybetween three to five minutes,
sometimes it's one minute, youknow, but I put that effort of
gratitude first.
And then I touch my phone and Iroll over and I step into the
world.
And I think that alone, likethat first step allows me to to
(15:13):
remember what dictates my day.
So throughout my day, I'm justtapping into that gratitude.
You know,
SPEAKER_00 (15:18):
it's such an incredible thing you said
because I was just thinkingabout gratitude today in the
morning and I thought every daywe wake up and the more we
succeed, we always will wantmore.
More success, more fame, biggerprojects, you know, bigger
collaborations, bigger thingsthat we want for our life.
But we forget what's the mostimportant to be grateful for
(15:41):
today.
You already achieved You alreadycame to this place right now.
You wake up, you're healthy, youhave all these things.
And if you look back at yourselffive, 10 years ago, you probably
couldn't even imagine yourselfhaving what you have right now.
SPEAKER_02 (15:52):
And
SPEAKER_00 (15:53):
the way I thought about gratitude, I mean,
honestly, I woke up and I hadtears in my eyes just thinking
about, okay, I'm actuallygrateful for my health, for my
family, for my friends.
And we don't do that enough.
And the way I mentioned it wasmy exact thought today in the
morning when I woke up.
SPEAKER_01 (16:10):
See, like now imagine making that a daily
habit.
It's
SPEAKER_00 (16:13):
incredible.
No, see, I just had this randomthought.
I don't know if it'ssynchronicity, but a lot of
people forget to thank universe,God, for what you have right
now, because tomorrow may nevercome, right?
SPEAKER_01 (16:25):
It's so true.
SPEAKER_00 (16:26):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (16:27):
It's so true.
It's such a special thing.
And, you know, I'm just sograteful to be here.
You know, I was born in Nigeria,in Enugu, in a very small city,
like rural to the urban areasand for me to be able to come
(16:47):
from there you know to be whereI am today where I was 10 years
ago like I feel like every dayis a miracle you know I feel
like every day is a I'm alottery winner you know and
that's why it's it's just soimportant for me to tap into
that gratitude because itreminds me of what's really
important especially when you'rein this industry like in
(17:09):
entertainment you know that's infashion especially that's ruled
by material and ruled by someoneelse's opinion on beauty and
their own standards.
It's very important to have asense of grounding and have
(17:29):
different routines and thingsthat keep me centered on what's
really important because it's soeasy to forget and be like,
damn, everyone else has peoplewho are doing this Look what's
happening here.
They're going here.
But it's like, does it reallymatter at the end of the day?
SPEAKER_00 (17:50):
I love you're so positive.
And I wonder, some people mayask, it's easy to say or be
grateful when you reach acertain point of success.
But I remember in one of theinterviews, you said that before
this iconic Met Gala that youwere part of, you said you had
zero clients before that.
So did you feel the samegratitude at those hard times
(18:11):
that you had?
SPEAKER_01 (18:13):
I always say that your true level of gratitude is
tested during the hard times.
That's what gratitude is.
It's not about, oh, beinggrateful because you got that
Range Rover or you finally gotthe Lamborghini or the G-Wagon
or that whatever.
(18:33):
Now I'm finally grateful.
That's easy to be grateful then,but it's being grateful when you
don't have.
Being grateful after you lostthe job, being grateful after
you lost the client, beinggrateful after things didn't go
the way you expected it to gobecause you trust, because you
(18:54):
trust your ability, because youtrust God, because you trust
that what you've put in thisuniverse is going to come out to
you.
Like that's when gratitude isreally tested.
You know, it's when it's not asobvious.
SPEAKER_00 (19:07):
And maybe it's all about the perspective because if
you think it's a failure, maybeyou're clearing the space for
bigger things, for better thingsfor you.
You think maybe this is the bestthing that's supposed to happen
to you, but at the end of theday, it's not.
Your best thing is still outthere.
You just have to be patient, begrateful, and to wait for that
moment, but have the rightalignment in your mindset.
SPEAKER_01 (19:30):
It's so true.
I mean, it's like to circle backto the Met Gala.
SPEAKER_00 (19:33):
Like
SPEAKER_01 (19:34):
you mentioned, about six weeks before the Met Gala, I
had just lost a client that Iwas betting so much on.
I thought it was going to belike this big thing in my mind.
I already clocked the wholemoment, how epic it was going to
be.
So when that happened, I wasjust like, immediately I knew, I
(19:57):
was like, yo, this has to be atest because there's no way.
There's a bigger plan.
There's got to be a bigger planbecause there's no way God would
let me put all this effort andpassion and love into something
that just disappears justvanishes so when that happened I
(20:19):
was just like you know what Godthis is not what I expected this
is not you know this isdefinitely not what I thought
was going to happen today but Itrust you and I'm so grateful
for this that happened I'm sograteful this happened because I
know that there's something onits way like there's something
(20:40):
coming and literally just sureenough it didn't take up to one
week wow for it to show it soi'm like okay there it is
SPEAKER_00 (20:51):
well let's talk about that i know um the most
iconic moment of course wasdiana ross but my favorite
moment was with kabylami thevintage clock look for boss
right can we talk about thatstorytelling what was the idea
behind it that was personally myfavorite look out of all
SPEAKER_01 (21:10):
thank you but honestly That was a look that
was, it was a collaboration withBoss, the incredible designer,
Marco.
He's one of my favoritedesigners in the entire world.
Honestly, he's such aunderstated designer.
Like he's not trying to be inthe forefront, but when he
(21:32):
creates, he creates magic.
And so, yeah, him and I workedtogether for this Met Gala to
put these together.
But for Kabi, it was super.
It's super fun because Kalbi isa talent, an artist that's just
like, as you see, he's down foranything.
His storytelling abilities areincredible.
(21:55):
He can tell a full movie in fiveseconds with no words, with no
words.
So for Marco, it's like, how dowe translate this incredible
artist and capture what he is,who he is, on this carpet and
just the idea of like he's theking of TikTok
SPEAKER_00 (22:18):
oh maybe that's why TikTok he's the king of
SPEAKER_01 (22:21):
TikTok you know yeah and we were like what is what is
TikTok you know the clocks andat first it was gonna be like
one time piece a strong one butMarco was like you know what
like let's take it there so thenlet's just go all for it and we
decided to you know more is moreis the Met Gala if you're gonna
(22:42):
go all out and create astatement and a moment like
that's the night so yeah Kabiwas the perfect muse to pull off
this like timeless timelessliterally I love that time full
timeless piece yes
SPEAKER_00 (22:58):
it proves that fashion is storytelling right
you're using technically objectsbut those objects have meaning
and they have story and alsoit's connected to the character
to the talent you're workingwith right it's telling his
story as
SPEAKER_01 (23:11):
well absolutely I think that's that's the beauty
of what I do is, you know, beingable, you know, it's a lot of,
it's psychology, it's therapy,it's like mind reading, but it
takes someone who has theability to read between the
lines and also be able tounderstand and translate
(23:35):
people's stories, like throughfashion.
You know, for me, it's like whenI have a client, right?
is to bring out their higherselves.
I always say, I want to makeyour wildest dreams.
When you were a little girl andyou used to dream of yourself
(23:56):
when you were an adult or aprincess, what does that look?
What does your ultimate dreamlook like?
And that's what I want to bringto life.
But that's the storytelling.
You have to understand theperson, understand what they're
insecurities are and like whatthey love and like what they
what they're confident about.
(24:17):
And to tell that throughclothing and through fashion,
that's what I love and keeps mein there.
SPEAKER_00 (24:24):
So you are a magician, pretty much.
Magician slash therapist.
SPEAKER_01 (24:28):
You could call it that.
SPEAKER_00 (24:30):
Yeah, because you do create magic.
I mean, fashion in a way, in mysense, is an illusion, right?
We create this fantasy worldthat makes us feel better, gets
us excited, you know, motivatesus.
And especially you know you'vebeen doing mad gala looks what
for 10 years i didn't even knowright am i right for so many
years and i'm sure you've doneso many incredible looks do you
(24:51):
have any favorite look thatyou've i know it's hard to say
because i mean so so many youknow amazing mind-blowing looks
but is it something that standsout in your mind
SPEAKER_01 (25:03):
honestly i'm just i'm so blessed that the answer
to this is always the same wheni'm asked who my favorite client
or favorite look is like I feellike I know my favorite Met Gala
look is the most present likeDiana Ross for the Met Gala to
(25:24):
me is something that like as achild you know as a kid to think
of that moment would have beenmind blowing back then you know
it's just something it's alifelong achievement that I
think is just like somethingthat I will always be proud of
forever.
And the look itself, every timeI see it, when it comes around,
(25:49):
it was in the New York Timesfront cover.
Every time I see it, it's alwayslike reliving the moment over
again.
And yeah, it's so special.
Even when I'm asked who myfavorite clients are, it's
always like my current client.
My current projects always keepme so...
I live in in the present, youknow, and I'm blessed to have
(26:16):
incredible projects in theforefront.
Like right now I'm makingoutfits for Blue Ivy, for the
Cowboy Carter tour.
And you know, it's my first timeworking with an artist in that
age.
Like I've done, I think I'vedone like young guys around 13,
14, but a young girl at thatage, such a delicate, and just
(26:44):
to be able to work in that andbring it to life is so special
and it's so fun and I'm enjoyingit.
So yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (26:53):
Well, I'm really happy for you.
Congratulations on all of theseamazing projects.
Do you think sometimes that youset your bar so high and once
you had this moment thateverybody's talking about, do
you think the next time has tolike outdo your previous iconic
moment?
You're like, okay, what's next?
How bigger and more dramatic andmore creative you have to be
(27:16):
next time to upkeep to yourprevious achievements?
SPEAKER_01 (27:19):
No, I feel like the best is yet to come.
I
SPEAKER_00 (27:23):
love that.
I
SPEAKER_01 (27:24):
feel like I'm just getting started.
You know, every moment I'm sograteful for.
But like I said earlier, Ialways feel like the ultimate
student.
I feel like I'm still learning.
I still have so much to do, somuch to achieve.
But at the same time, I'mgrateful for what I've done so
(27:45):
far, but there's so much more todo.
SPEAKER_00 (27:49):
And because of your mentality, that's why you're not
limiting yourself to onespecific thing.
So you're a stylist and you'realso a designer.
You have your own line, right?
Yes.
Can you talk a little bit more?
What does it even mean?
How did it come along and wheredoes it stand right now?
Yes,
SPEAKER_01 (28:10):
absolutely.
Let's talk about, yeah.
11.16 is my fashion line.
It's my brand, my baby.
It's my life's work.
It took about 15 years of mycareer as a costume designer,
creative director, fashion,celebrity stylist to come and
(28:31):
launch and put this out.
And it's funny because we'restill pre-launch.
It's not officially
SPEAKER_00 (28:36):
out.
Wait, what?
It's not even official out?
I don't
SPEAKER_01 (28:41):
believe you.
It's not officially We had asoft launch about a year ago and
we're building a brand out, butit's been, this is all
marketing, it's all strategicpartnerships, but we're planning
to officially launch at the topof next year.
And for me, it's again, back tothe storytelling, it's about, I
(29:07):
wanted to create something thatallows me to tell my story the
story of where I came from,beautifully, artistically, to
give people the opportunity tosee Nigeria and Africa the way I
see it.
As an immigrant growing up inAmerica, coming from Africa, I
(29:29):
had to always constantly fightthe kids about, no, Africa is
not just this dirty place withflies and living in huts and
just all these stereotypes andideas that they see from
national of geographics andwhatnot growing up.
And I, as a kid, it was just sofrustrating and like, you know,
just saddening.
(29:49):
But as I, as I grew up andstarted working more into the
marketing and storytellingworld, I realized that this is
what my purpose is, you know,through whether it's fashion or
filmmaking or just whateverartistic expression I choose to
express with.
(30:09):
I am passionate about tellingthe African story, you know, the
way I live it, the way I
SPEAKER_00 (30:16):
see it.
Do you think it's a lot ofresponsibility in your head to
be almost, I don't know, thespokesperson, right, for your
culture, for the place that youwere born?
Do you feel pressure?
SPEAKER_01 (30:27):
The pressure comes sometimes, but thankfully, you
know, I do feel like it's amovement and there are a good
amount of other artists, youknow, whether they're to from
fashion to entertainment tosports that have this same
mission in their hearts toreimagine, to showcase the world
(30:54):
our way or our perspective ofwhat Africa is.
For over 100 years, the media'sperspective has been told from
non-Africans.
Every motion picture and high,big-budget production that had
to do with Africa was told froma perspective of somebody who's
(31:16):
not African or non-black.
And I think with that, you know,you get a lot of the genocide, a
lot of the sympathy, a lot ofthe, you know, the sadness, the
orphans and this and that.
But it's like, there's such a,there's a whole layer, you know,
of Africa that's almost untoldthat, you know, through social
media today and the internet,the world is getting a chance to
(31:38):
see glimpses of it, you know.
But for me, when I started 1160,it was really inspired by, you
know, being able to create abrand that can be a bridge for
culture and fashion.
You know, we're going to haveour, our fashion studio and
fashion house, our Maison inNigeria, but we're going to be,
(32:00):
you know, as we already are,we're servicing and making
clothes that are going to theworld.
You know, a lot of the stuffthat we're making for the cowboy
Carter tour, or even like, youknow, for Diana Ross or our,
Other clients are made rightthere in Nigeria, in Lagos.
SPEAKER_00 (32:15):
That's incredible.
You kind of also in a way givingback, right?
Back to your origins, right?
SPEAKER_01 (32:22):
Yeah, it's so important.
Like we're giving back and we'realso empowering the artists.
You know, there's the weaversand the seamstresses and the
tailors, like the whole, theentire supply chain down to
people that are growing thecotton.
Wow.
that are making the thread outof the cottons.
(32:44):
It's such a beautiful,incredible process that if this
was Hermes or Giorgio Armani orZegna, these people would be
millionaires.
The seamstresses that are in theDior atelier in Paris are very
successful.
They're very notable.
(33:05):
They've been there for decadesand decades and decades because
they're happy.
And that's the kind of structurethat I emulate to create on the
ground is where I can create asystem where I'm really, you
know, just appreciating andworking along with my entire
team in that way.
SPEAKER_00 (33:22):
Well, you're definitely an engine, a fashion
engine and propeller who isalmost like communicating.
I really love that about you.
Didn't you also mention you planto open the first atelier in
Nigeria for your brand?
SPEAKER_01 (33:34):
Yes, yes.
I plan on opening the atelier inLagos, our fashion house.
Everything will be kind of, youknow, the flagship we'll be
there and we'll spread acrossthe world from our Lego
satellites.
SPEAKER_00 (33:48):
Yeah, no, that's incredible.
I mean, we definitely need morevoices like yourself to educate
us, to teach, to expand ourminds, because sometimes it is
very narrow-minded.
We just only think about thingswe see on social media and, you
know, things are being hyped upartificially,
SPEAKER_02 (34:02):
right?
SPEAKER_00 (34:03):
But true authenticity comes from being
authentic and you have yourroots, right?
You were born there.
You have connection.
I know you've done so much somany projects from back home.
And then you also, I would saycosmopolitan, right?
There's nothing that stops you,right?
You travel throughout the worldand you working on this amazing
project.
(34:23):
So speaking further on that, doyou have any favorite or maybe
dream collaboration, either witha person or a brand that's on
your wishlist?
SPEAKER_01 (34:38):
Dream collaborations.
SPEAKER_00 (34:43):
The one I liked while you're thinking, and I
want to ask you, I keep lookingat your slippers.
I don't want to like be soundignorant, but I saw one of your
collaborations, which I liked.
It was a car ride protectionchain on the Barbie dolls,
right?
For Coco and Breezy.
And that was so unique anddifferent.
Like, wow, this is so cool.
(35:05):
And you brought elements of yourculture, something that has
specific meaning to the modernculture and to that
collaboration.
I don't know if you want toexpand on that.
But to me, that was something Ihaven't ever seen before.
And I keep looking at slippers.
I mean, are those shells orthose cowrite?
Yeah, you're
SPEAKER_01 (35:21):
my gold cowrie shows.
SPEAKER_00 (35:23):
What are those?
These
SPEAKER_01 (35:23):
are actually made by my cousin, MJ Gemini.
This is his brand.
But yeah, I'm obsessed withcowrie shows.
I'm obsessed with just anythingthat can give me a little touch
of culture.
Yeah, speaking of the cowrieshows, it was such a beautiful
surprise My best friends, Cocoand Breezy, whose birthday was a
(35:48):
couple days ago.
Shout out to Coco and Breezy.
They actually, they're DJs andthey're incredible.
They're designers as well.
They make the most amazingeyewear.
And I dress them, I style them,especially for their big shows
like Coachella and Met Gala.
We'll collaborate on dope looks.
So the Calorie chain issomething that we have in 1116.
(36:12):
It's part of our collection.
It's actually the only thingavailable to buy right now.
It's the only thing available tobuy is that cowrie chain before
the clothes drop.
I got you.
But yeah, they wear theirs like,I would say maybe like four or
five times a week.
They're wearing it all the time.
And so when Mattel decided to dotheir Barbie, they included, you
(36:35):
know, our 1116 pieces in theactual Barbie look.
So, you We're already
SPEAKER_00 (36:52):
commemorized in a Barbie.
(37:13):
I don't know if it's hyped itup, right?
She tested it there and shelaunched it to a huge success.
So I feel like you're doingsomething very similar than Coco
Chanel, right?
You know, I
SPEAKER_01 (37:22):
never knew that story.
SPEAKER_00 (37:23):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (37:23):
But that's so interesting.
I have to do more research.
I love that.
I resonate.
Give me the Coco Chanel energy.
Yeah,
SPEAKER_00 (37:30):
you totally have it.
I mean, thinking about differentdesigners, even right now, the
most famous brand, which isSchiaparelli, I was thinking
about that brand before it gotbig.
And do you know the actualstory?
No, tell me.
So the actual story ofSchiaparelli was by the designer
named Elsa Schiaparelli.
She was really into surrealismand she did a lot of
(37:52):
collaborations with SalvadorDalí and other artists.
Her famous outfits didn't evenhave a good reception because it
was like a lobster claw or likea lobster phone.
And she was very avant-garde forthe times.
And her brand wasn't really likesuccessful back in the day.
So she created shocking pinkmoment that became a perfume
(38:12):
initiative of the torso and thenher brand kind of died out in
1954 and only 1954 after in 2013the I forgot which I don't know
if it's currying group I forgotwhich big brand group bought the
brand and then Daniel Rosberrybrought it kind of back to life
and gave it like new life butnot many people know where
(38:34):
actually where the brand is so
SPEAKER_01 (38:36):
for over 50 years
SPEAKER_00 (38:36):
yes the brand was dead and now it's like number
one everybody wants to wearScaparelli but nobody talks
about But Elsa, the Elsa, thelady, the little lady, she
actually was a rival for CocoChanel.
They were two rivals.
They were a little like- Yeah,I've heard that
SPEAKER_01 (38:52):
story.
Shout out to Elsa.
SPEAKER_00 (38:53):
Yeah, they were like two little rival ladies.
Yeah, and now it's thisbeautiful brand that has this,
you know, artistic vision to it.
So I love reading stories aboutthat.
SPEAKER_01 (39:02):
And it still feels so authentic.
You know, even like not knowing,if you didn't know the entire
story of Elsa, like you can tellthat the brand is inspired by
artists.
So when you hear about SalvatoreDali, you can still see it.
It makes so much sense.
SPEAKER_00 (39:19):
No, absolutely.
And that's what when you told meabout your brand, I'm like,
okay, sounds very familiar.
You're on the right path, whichalso a marketing, I mean, from
the business perspective, it's agreat technique before you
invest, before you put all yourheart in, you kind of, I don't
know, pre-tease your brand,right?
Get the word going, you know,work with certain people that
align with the vision of yourbrand.
(39:40):
And once you launch it, I mean,to me, it already felt like It's
been out for years.
SPEAKER_01 (39:45):
Thank you.
That means a lot because that'swhat I want it to feel like.
I want it to feel nostalgic andjust comfortable and just to
blend right in and both standout at the same time.
SPEAKER_00 (40:00):
Yeah, you're really doing it.
My next question is how manyproducts or what type of
products?
Because my favorite ones werethe bags.
I don't know what I call theduffel bags.
I love those.
They're so unique and creative.
and just I was like okay Ireally want to have one day one
of those bags so what are theproducts or you know statement
(40:21):
pieces that you plan to launchalready you know available yes
SPEAKER_01 (40:26):
we plan on launching launching in in parts or in
series if you will we're gonnahave 1116 essentials and casual
it's gonna consist of you knowyour track suits like your
bomber jackets and normaltrousers, more everyday.
(40:48):
And then we're gonna go intosuiting.
We'll have our tailored suits,our from double breasted, so
just all types of suiting madeout of our fabrics.
So we're producing our owntextile in Nigeria, also in
Morocco and in Kenya and SouthAfrica.
(41:08):
So we're exploring justdifferent types of textile
making threads um so the idea isto you know we're using our
locally sourced and made fabricsbut we're making like modern
silhouettes and making looksthat you know transcend and have
more just commercial value my
SPEAKER_00 (41:29):
favorite one was the yellow black checkered suit
SPEAKER_01 (41:34):
okay
SPEAKER_00 (41:35):
with the vest and the tie i'm like wow this is
freaking so amazing that was myfavorite one it definitely
stands out and i was thinking inthe back of my head about the
textiles, about the fabrics.
So it's very, very fascinatingthat you actually going from the
grounds up, like from thetextures, from the fabric, from,
you know, involving local, youknow, craftsmen to help you
(41:57):
elevate your brand, but you'realso giving back to the
community.
SPEAKER_01 (41:59):
Yes, we got to keep the art alive.
Keep the art alive.
I was inspired by the artisans.
Well, I took a trip to thisplace called Kogi State in
outside of Lagos about threeyears ago.
And there was this city, thisarea that had like all these
women and men and like younggirls weaving fabrics, like in
(42:23):
these like old vintage systems,like wooden machines with the
threads in between.
And they were sitting thereweaving it all day, making like
looms and looms of fabric.
And I just fell in love.
I was like, this is like, thisis couture.
This is art.
Like this is what people spend alot of money for.
And then for them, it was likealmost like unappreciated by
(42:47):
even by the town.
Like these women were notgetting the love they deserve.
So I was like, yo, I have tolike do something.
I want to use these fabrics.
I want to empower them.
I want to bring them moreopportunities, more jobs and
make them know that what theycreate is valuable.
You know, when they see thosepieces on those stages, it's
(43:09):
like for them, it'sunbelievable.
SPEAKER_00 (43:11):
Well, it's It's not maybe they're not appreciated
because they don't have enoughvisibility that you can help
with.
Because obviously you're such arenowned spokesperson.
People admire you, look up toyou, right?
So you are the connector of thetwo worlds.
I don't wanna speak that highly,but maybe that is your purpose,
right?
SPEAKER_01 (43:30):
I think so.
Yeah.
I think so.
SPEAKER_00 (43:32):
And so you saying that you want to learn and
you're always learning somethingnew.
I think from the businessperspective or from the
financial perspective, if youlook at the percentage What do
you think is the biggestfinancial gain for you in
styling, in your own brand,collaborating with brands?
If you have to give us aballpark, what's your bet in
(43:56):
terms of financial gain in allof the activations that you're a
part of?
SPEAKER_01 (44:01):
I'm blessed to have income and revenue from
different streams.
I don't have to depend on justmy styling clients.
I am a brand ambassador and I'vedone major campaigns myself from
brands from Audemars toMontblanc to Calvin Klein and
(44:25):
Boss and the list goes on.
So I, as myself, I'm able togenerate income by using my
perspective and giving myopinion.
And then as a designer, I'm ableto also create revenue by
selling designs and creatingpieces, from custom couture to
(44:48):
my ready-to-wear pieces alreadymade.
But I do feel like my biggestbusiness is gonna be from my
fashion brand and my designs,because there's nothing like
making products.
There's nothing like having aproduct that can be consumed in
(45:10):
different homes that you're notin.
When you're selling a serviceand you have to physically be
there and be involved for everytime or for every job, it's a
lot harder.
You might make more money.
You might make larger amounts ofmoney, but it requires so much
time.
There's no income like passiveincome.
(45:32):
So to me, I'm looking forward tobuilding my brand in a place
where it's just running andsustaining itself, where I don't
have to be in every room
SPEAKER_00 (45:44):
that it's selling in.
So diversification is key,right?
SPEAKER_01 (45:48):
Very much key.
SPEAKER_00 (45:49):
So it's kind of you have to be and explore different
avenues to truly, you know, besuccessful.
Yes,
SPEAKER_01 (45:55):
especially in fashion, especially when it
comes to like a service job.
If you're a makeup artist or a,you know, creative director or a
choreographer or a hairstylist,you know, or a costume designer,
like these fields, like it's soimportant for you to and not get
caught up or locked in to aclient thinking that it's
(46:18):
forever.
Like you can not put all youreggs in a human's basket.
It's crazy.
Like people are people.
You know, at any moment thingscan change and God forbid that
like, you know, your bills or,you know, your kids or your
family is depending on one jobor one person, you know, you
have to be responsible, youknow, for your own life.
(46:42):
sustainability, because at theend of the day, if one door
closes, what happens next?
So I think it's important foranybody that's an artist.
There comes a point in yourartistry where you become Denzel
Washington, or you become aKehinde Wiley as a painter,
where you don't have to take onall these jobs, but I do think
(47:04):
that it's important for artistson their journey to their space
to be open to doing otherthings, other jobs that can
benefit them in their field.
It's important to also not takejust any job.
(47:24):
It's important that whateverfield or whatever you're working
on is able to add value to thebigger goal.
SPEAKER_00 (47:31):
Right, because especially in the fashion
industry, it's not a secureindustry to be in.
Today, you're on top.
Tomorrow, everybody forgetsabout you.
And tomorrow, you may havenothing.
So what you're saying is to haveprobably plan A, B, and C to
have always a backup.
Don't put all eggs, like yousaid, in one basket, right?
Yes.
So if you have to give onebusiness advice for stylists who
(47:55):
are really creative, alreadymaybe have some small client
base, but they're not reallythere financially, what one
business tip you can give themto kind of get to that next
level?
SPEAKER_01 (48:10):
For stylists that are...
on the way up, but are not yetsustaining themselves
financially with styling andfashion, I'll recommend that
they get a stable job somewhereelse in fashion, whether it's PR
(48:31):
or marketing or assisting acreative director or a stylist.
There's no better way to learnthan to be working on ground,
right?
Like there's really no schoolor, you know, education program
that's going to teach you how toget clients or teach you how to
(48:52):
like network.
Like there's nothing likehands-on training when it comes
to fashion.
So I would say just put yourselfout there to be in situations
and places that will constantlyallow you to be in rooms where
you can network and grow.
You know, you're only as big asYou're only as big as who you're
(49:16):
working with.
You can be the most talentedperson with all these ideas.
You can memorize every singleseason of every single fashion
show.
But if you don't have anyclients to dress and work with,
you're just a storyteller, justtelling stories, having a good
time.
(49:36):
But it's like, you have to putyourself out there.
I think that one of the worst,things you can do is convince
yourself that you're waiting forthe right time like that's the
worst thing you can do there'snever going to be a right time
SPEAKER_00 (49:52):
the right time is now
SPEAKER_01 (49:54):
the right time is now
SPEAKER_00 (49:55):
I like to say if not now then when if not you then
who
SPEAKER_01 (49:58):
exactly
SPEAKER_00 (50:00):
no I love it so you are very handsome and you walk
the runway shows you've been incampaigns you are pretty much
like a walking billboard rightfor your brands and for your
services So do you believe it'san ego or it's a good way to be
a spokesperson for your ownideas, for your own concepts,
(50:23):
for your own brand?
How do you use your IP?
SPEAKER_01 (50:26):
I feel like you have to be delusional about your
belief in yourself.
Like you have to believe inyourself so much that when you
speak about your vision topeople, like they feel silly for
doubting you.
Like that That's the level ofbelief that you have in
yourself.
And I think that's what it takesto make it in any field, in any
(50:48):
career, is that confidence.
You know, if you don't believein yourself, nobody else will.
SPEAKER_00 (50:53):
That's so powerful because in my experience, the
most humble people, the mosttalented, but they're so shy and
they don't really want to getthemselves out there to use
themselves as their own voicebecause they feel too shy or
they feel too humble.
And the loudest people...
usually get what they need toget might not be the most
(51:15):
talented people right but theyhave ability to speak for
themselves
SPEAKER_02 (51:18):
yes
SPEAKER_00 (51:18):
so what you said is very very relevant and guys make
notes right believe in yourselfgain that confidence put
yourself out there step by stepand at least by showcasing
yourself right you might get thedoor open somebody else might
notice you you might think likeokay nobody cares right nobody
watches your stories nobodyfollows you but you never know
(51:39):
where that person will see youIt's
SPEAKER_01 (51:43):
so true.
It's so true.
I believe in that so much.
And, you know, I think that whenit comes to discovery, you know,
it's an energy.
You have to be a magnet.
Like these days, like I thinkalways you attract what you put
out.
You attract what you really,really want.
(52:05):
If you're approaching situationswith high anxiety and high
doubt, that's repelling.
you're repelling the situation.
Nobody is going to invest theirtime and their money and their
passion into somebody who's noteven sure.
That's a big risk.
SPEAKER_00 (52:27):
No, wow.
It's words of wisdom becausethings like that need to be
heard and needs to be voiced.
As many people, there's so manytalented people, but that's one
skill that they're lacking orthey may not be aware of.
But you just said well, it'sincredible so we'll go and
(52:47):
having so many achievements,right?
Including now you've been on theadvisory board for the Fashion
Trust Arabia Prize 2025.
You've won awards.
You've been on the covers of themagazines.
What's next for you?
What's besides your brand,right?
Is there any project that youhad in the back of your mind or
any collaboration, anything thatbeen sitting there and waiting
(53:10):
for its release?
Is there something that's outthere that you're planning to
execute in the near future?
What's next?
What's
SPEAKER_01 (53:18):
next?
I would say, I don't know whenit's going to be executed.
I'm not sure.
I can't tell you a timeline, butI would say to definitely look
out for Chief Ugo Amosie, thefilmmaker.
Because that's going to be thehome run.
SPEAKER_00 (53:39):
You know, interesting you mentioned that
because when you were talkingabout Nigeria, I was thinking
you need to make a documentary.
you need to put it on camera youneed to give the voice to those
people right to the communityit's coming wow we're aligning
on that yes indeed well I'mwishing you nothing but the best
and knowing you from the youknow from the outside
(54:01):
perspective and feeling youright now I feel nothing is
impossible for you and I knowyou're a go-getter I know you're
gonna achieve it all and justone more remark I wanted to
point out before we finish Iknow your father is here with us
and it's what's up pops I thinkhe's sleeping.
SPEAKER_02 (54:21):
This
SPEAKER_00 (54:21):
conversation is so sweet.
You got him here.
And I know how important it iswhen your family supports you
and you're there for you.
And it's so sweet that he'shere.
And I appreciate you bringingyour father here.
Thank you for having us.
I don't take it for
SPEAKER_01 (54:34):
granted any day.
It's part of our morninggratitude, being grateful for
our parents and everything thatwe have.
So, yeah, I appreciate it too.
SPEAKER_00 (54:44):
Absolutely.
Well, on this beautiful note...
like to wrap up our conversationthank you for being on the basic
show thank
SPEAKER_02 (54:55):
you
SPEAKER_00 (55:00):
victoria it was so great to be here thank
SPEAKER_02 (55:05):
you
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