By Derrick Luyombya
Local fashion stylist Gadhafi Chuni, 24, is the proprietor of the Chuni Collections. We talked to him to tell us more about his journey in fashion. Here are the interview excerpts:
When did you start fashion styling?
I started three years back. I had my breakthrough around 2013 and have since never turned back.
Who inspired you to become a fashion stylist?
I have always loved fashion, and used to design myself. But I was inspired to hunger for more by Swanky Jay, a Nigerian fashion stylist. I look up to him and want to be like him.
Which artistes have you worked with?
In Uganda, I have worked with almost every big artiste like StarBoss Big Eye, Radio & Weasel, Angela Katatumba, and Eddy Kenzo among others. Internationally, I have worked with WizKid on his music project with Radio and Weasel.
Where do you get your clothes from?
I have connections abroad in countries like Turkey, Italy, South Africa, England and Dubai. This is where my clothes are mainly bought from.
What are your achievements so far?
I have not achieved much yet. However, I have been nominated in several awards. I was nominated in the Abryanz Style and fashion awards, Frankfurt style awards and the latest nomination is in the Lenim style and fashion awards in South Africa where I am nominated in the category of youngest influential fashion icon outside south Africa.
What are some of the challenges you have faced as fashion stylist?
The first challenge is heavy tax incurred on the goods brought into the country, and there is also high rent costs around town. Then when it comes to working with artistes, some don’t want to bring the clothes back after using them while others misuse them, so it needs monitoring and yet you have to run the business.
We had you are organizing a fundraising dinner, tell us more about it.
I have always wanted to give back to the community, and that is why I decided to organiser a dinner with the celebrities I have worked with. Luckily, they have responded positively to my call, and the funds got from the dinner will go to Nsambya children’s home. The dinner is scheduled for 16th October at the Kampala Sheraton hotel.
Any last words to the youth and fashionistas out there?
They should have faith in themselves and always believe in the Almighty because without Him one can’t make it in life. And to the fashionista, always look out for the latest trends in fashion and do more research on what is happening in the fashion industry.
