Many stylists remain behind-the-scenes, making celebrities, taste makers, and campaigns uber-covetable for their sense of style. Whether working behind-the-scenes or posing in front of a camera, here are 6 African stylists who have irresistible style!
ARIETA MUJAY | Styled to Perfection
In addition to working with some of the most famous models in the world, like Alek Wek, Tyson Beck, Oluchi and Liya Kedebe, Arietta Mujay is also PR manager for UK brand River Island. She got her foot in the door by interning for the now defunct Smash Hits, Just 17, Sneak and other publications. What career advice does she have for aspiring stylists?
“First of all, identify what exactly you want from fashion and what areas you want to specialize in. You have to study your area, read magazines, know your designers, know your trends and, most importantly, get out there and get work experience. Keep mood boards, play around with trends, and defy the expected. Think outside the box.”
Arieta's personal style is definitely outside of the box, as you can see from the instagram pics she's been sending us of herself as she tours African countries such as South Africa, Botswana, Gambia and more.
UGO MOZIE | Stylist to the Stars
Having styled an impressive roster of celebrities from Dawn Richards of Dirty Money, The X factors Kelly Rowland, and being regularly spotted with stars like Rihanna and Janelle Monae, Mozie has established himself as a top stylist in the American fashion industry. He is also one half of the design team behind menswear line Aston Mozie, a collaboration between him and his high school friend Quinn Aston. The stylist/designer/image consultant is heavily inspired by his home country of Nigeria.
"Every time I go to Nigeria, I always come back with so much inspiration. It’s like stepping into a different world. They value art, friendship, and family.”
Ugo has been featured on popular site Style Like U and was a panelist on the recently screened 'MTV Base Meets Alek Wek'.
MARIAN KIHOGO | Vintage Glam
While most ten year olds were playing dress up or styling their Barbie dolls, Marian Kihogo spent her childhood people watching and observing what they wore. Her early fashion experience was gained by styling her friend’s mother in her teens and since then, she has become the go-to celebrity stylist for women like Nigerian–British Actress and DJ Tolula Adyemi, who has appeared on various fashion sites 'Best Dressed' lists. Kihogo curates an award nominated site mariankihogo.com (nominated for various 'Best Fashion Blog' awards by Elle, Lucky, Cosmopolitan Magazine and others) where she shares catwalk trends and her other interests spanning books, music, films, and art. The Ghanian native regularly draws inspiration from the continent and often accessorizes with turbans paired with her unqiue outfits, bold jewelry and topped off with her signature bright lip.
MEMSOR KAMARAKE | The Veteran
Hailing from Sierra Leone and having lived in New York, Moscow and Freetown, Memsor Kamarake is an Afropolitan stylist who consistently works hard to put models of African descent into the many editorials he styled as the former fashion director and stylist of US-based Vibe Magazine. His "aha moment", when he knew he should pursue styling, came after a stint as an intern at a Gap Store on Oxford Street. Since leaving Vibe, he has remained an influential force in the New York fashion industry, even being named as one of ‘50 most Stylish New Yorkers’ by Stylecaster.com!
Get Inspired | Memsor Kamarake via 50 Most Stylish New Yorkers
MOBOLAJI DAWODU | The Multi-Tasker
Mobolaji Dawodu has an impressive list of style credits to his name, including major recording artists like Kanye West, Diddy, Outkast, Kelis, Black Eyed Peas and more. The Nigerian–American is also a contributing stylist to Fader Magazine where he has styled shoots in India, Mozambique, South Africa and Jamaica. He has made the transition to designer with an eponymous line of mens and womens wear inspired by Nigerian Afrobeat icon Fela Kuti. Dawodu brought his fashion expertise to film, when he styled characters in Andrew Dosunmu’s “Restless City” which premiered in New York in the summer of 2011. Upcoming projects include working as a stylist on Dosunmu’s new film “Ma George”. Other notable achievements include being named one of Applause Africa Magazine’s “Top 30 Most Intriguing Africans in New York”, where he appeared on the cover with Andrew Dosurnu. Dawodu also has some seriously stylish parents, as we saw in his post 'Dad You be Killing Them'.
OLORI SWANK | The Blue Haired Bombshell
One thing this 2011 'Fashion Bombshell Of The Year' (as voted by readers of thefashionbomdaily.com) is known for in her hometown of Atlanta is her blue tinged faux hawk and side shaved head. Although not hailing from one of the typical fashion cities of New York, London or Paris, Swank has managed to establish herself as a go-to stylist to Dawn Richards, Miss Georgia USA and several NFL athletes. The Nigerian-American shares her personal style, which is sassy and versatile, on her blog. Outside of styling, she runs a recently launched online vintage store and regularly conducts events called “Lessons in Swank” where she teaches aspiring stylists how to break into the field. She mixes editorial with fashion as the fashion editor for Kraze Magazine.
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