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UGO MOZIE: From Met Gala to Redefining African Luxury | EPISODE 14
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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
Chapters
1. Gratitude in hard times • risks • self-belief (00:00:00)
2. Hello & Mercury retrograde banter (00:02:04)
3. First IG posts + early LA memories (00:02:29)
4. Houston roots and finding drive (00:03:51)
5. Ugo’s inner circle: individuality, confidence, knowledge (00:05:46)
6. Always be learning; reinvent with tech (00:07:04)
7. Is AI a threat? (short answer: no—use it as a tool) (00:08:14)
8. Using ChatGPT for tough messages (articulation vs. invention) (00:09:10)
9. Human edge: tapping the source, taking illogical risks (00:10:41)
10. Morning gratitude routine that “owns the day” (00:13:39)
11. Gratitude when you have nothing; faith after setbacks (00:18:13)
12. Pre–Met Gala setback → bigger plan revealed (00:19:30)
13. Khaby Lame’s Met Gala “clock” look with BOSS (00:20:51)
14. Fashion as psychology & storytelling (00:22:58)
15. Favorite look: Diana Ross; current work: Blue Ivy (Cowboy Carter) (00:25:03)
16. “Best is yet to come”; staying a lifelong student (00:27:19)
17. Brand 11.16 (pre-launch): telling the African story (00:28:10)
18. Media narratives & building a Lagos-based maison (00:30:16)
19. Empowering artisan supply chains; weaving to wardrobe (00:32:15)
20. Opening the Lagos atelier (00:33:22)
21. Cowrie chain collab (Coco & Breezy) + Barbie moment (00:34:38)
22. Schiaparelli/Coco Chanel parallels; brand longevity (00:36:52)
23. Product roadmap: essentials, suiting, homegrown textiles (00:40:00)
24. Kogi State weavers inspiration (00:41:59)
25. Multiple revenue streams; products vs. services (00:44:01)
26. Diversify or die: don’t bet on one client (00:45:44)
27. Business advice for stylists: get on-the-ground reps (00:48:10)
28. “The right time is now” mindset (00:49:52)
29. Delusional self-belief; be a magnet for opportunity (00:50:26)
30. What’s next: Ugo the filmmaker (00:52:27)
31. Family gratitude; sweet dad cameo (00:54:21)
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