FIRST+EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Fashion stylist and creative director, Ugo Mozie talks fashion, styling Chris Brown for his X album shoot and more…

Ugo Mozie’s career has spanned the globe, from the runway to the red carpet to magazines and television and at only 23 years old, Ugo is the embodiment the young creatives that are taking over the world.

With a stylish zeal and resume of work that many 40 year olds would envy, at half the age Ugo Mozie has already debuted a fashion line and his clientele has included international superstars from Justin Bieber to Larry King. Known for his eclectic and androgynous style, Ugo has pushed past conventional boundaries to redefine the way the industry considers style. And he does so with dynamic vitality in all the projects he touches – from the 51st Grammy Awards, Sex and the City 2, Vogue, Elle, and GQ magazine and much more. Graduating high school and moving to New York, at age17 he debuted his fashion line Aston Mozie at MercedesBenz New York Fashion Week 2010.

This garnered rave reviews from the New York Times and soon after Ugo was appointed the fashion editor of Ghubar magazine, which made him the youngest ever, fashion director of an international magazine. Ugo moved to Los Angeles in 2012 where he diversified into PR and Marketing.

In January 2014 he was appointed the US PR director of the Iconic Fashion House, Vivienne Westwood.

Check out our exclusive interview with Ugo below.

How would you describe your style?
Universal, Global, Cultured, & Graceful

What style genre appeals to you most?
Ancient Egyptians, Ancient Greek & Romans, late 70s, and 80s.

What does your personal life on a daily basis entail?
Everyday is so different. I don’t think I have had 2 days that ere completely identical. Even the few months I had a 9-5. I start everyday at around 7am. After checking emails and texts, I get in 30mins of reading, 1.5hr workout, then off to the first appointments. But this usually changes when I’m out of town…

Do you still model?
Nahhhh. But i’ll def give you a great pose for an Instagram post.

Would you say staying in the U.S. has affect your style in anyway?
Absolutely. i give credit to every city and state I’ve lived in to the way I dress now. I have a bit of Lagos, LA, Houston, NY, and Enugu all in my style aesthetic somehow.

Who do you want to work with that you haven’t yet?
Oprah

Do you have any Nigerian/African celebrity clients you are currently working with?
Not at the moment but i am in talks with a few great artists I’m looking forward to meeting with next month in Lagos.

You were sometime this year appointed has the U.S. public relations director for Vivienne Westwood America. Can you touch more on these and what the job entails?
As the PR Director of Vivienne Westwood US, I was in charge of all things Media and Public relations related to the brand in US. I curated the fashion show and events, developed & launched marketing strategies, and created an in house PR system for the company. My job ranged from approving and selecting celebrities to wear the brand, to producing photo-shoots with Andre Leon Talley.

Can you share with us your inspiration and direction for Chris Brown’s new album X shoot?
I was inspired by classic artists and today’s fashion. Chris is able to pull off so many different types of looks. I wanted to be able to capture different sides of his personality and talent while maintaining his aesthetic. The goal was to create timeless, clean, iconic images.

What has been your biggest challenge?
My biggest challenge is always is confrontation. I’m not too good at expressing how i really feel so it tends to narrow my patience level a lot. The downfall to that is it tends to cause me to cut people off abruptly or prematurely. 0 tollerance.

Name your 5 must have accessories?
My Eagle bracelet, Eagle or Wolf ring, my Quartz stone necklace, sunglasses, Fedora hat.

What are your favorite fashion trends?
I love the wide brim fedora hat paired with Chelsea Boots look.

Who are some of your favorite designers or brands right now?
I love the lifestyle Chanel represents for women, I love Saint Laurent, Rick Owens, Balmain, and myself!

Apart from fashion, what other projects are you currently working on?
Apart from fashion, I’m currently working on a couple design projects. I’m working on interior design and staff uniforms for a luxury resort in the Caribbeans, and working on opening a concept shop in the UAE.

Do you still visit Nigeria?
Definitely! I used to go almost every year growing up. I haven’t been since 2013 so I’m going to be making a visit there this December.