Egypt Ifynanya Ufele is a 10 year old designer from Nigeria that
resides in Queens, New York with her Mom Dr. Reba Perry & sister Sade
Perry. Egypt was inspired by the beautiful prints she saw while traveling to
Nigeria.
Olisahemeka Ufele her dad exposed her to the African Culture
very young. Egypt was bullied in school because she was plus size due to taking
steroids for asthma. She learn to cope by spending quality time with her big
sister designer Misperri Fashions and her maternal grandma sewing.
Her clothing is
specifically tailored to plus-size ladies and girls. Her clothing line name is
Chubii Line. At a young age of three, she was taught how to sew by her
grandmother. She started with dolls’ clothes, moved on to bigger dolls’
clothes, and then finally to true-to-life wear for many women who consider
themselves plus size. And with limited clothing stores for plus size women and
girls, this is a huge step in the right direction to make sure that
everyone is comfortable in what they are putting on their bodies.
I took some time to look over her work on her Facebook page.
She uses a lot of African prints and what looks to be a comfortable structure
for her work. She also models many of her pieces that are made for the younger
generation. It is refreshing to see someone actually wear the clothes they
make, and not only make them with the expectation that others wear them.
Ify Ufele often shows herself actually doing the work, using
the iron and sewing machine and taking part in her craft. With her business on
the rise, she also made the cover of Queen Size Magazine, which notes that she
is the CEO of Bully Chasers Inc. So, not only is she is a fashion entrepreneur,
she is also a girl fighting back against bullying.
All youngsters and budding entrepreneurs should take a page
from Ify’s book. Anything is possible and that instead of letting people put
you down, use it to lift up and create something great.
Her motto is no kid should ever feel bad about how they
look.
Here are what she has to say in her own word;
1.I started a Fashion Line because I was bullied in school
and my mom said always take negative energy and doing something positive.
2. My Mom/Manager Dr. Reba Perry encouraged me to start a
Fashion Line that help Plus Size Kids Line build there self esteem.
3. I learned how to sew and cut patterns at age 7 with the
help of my grandma who is a expert seamstress.
4. I am still in Public School attending 5th grade with an
95 average. When I am ready for college I will follow my Big Sister Misperri
Fashions who attends FIT.
5. In five years I see my self in High School for Designs.
6. I look for photogenic models. They have to have the
personality to wear my African Print.
7. My biggest hurdle is people taking me serious and
thinking I didn’t design the garment.
8. What inspire me to design is that no plus size kid like
me ever feel left out of the Fashion World.
9. The Obama girls.
10. I love Betsey Johnson she make fun designs.
11. My clients are kid models and everyday kids.
12. My prices range from $50- $100
13. I always tell all my peers to never give up and always
know you are never alone.
14. The five cities I would love to design at is 1.New York,
2. Paris, 3. Nigeria, 4. London, 5. LA
15. I will be known for my African/ Urban Print
Male/,Female with my matching dolls
See more of her design here in her facebook page; chubii
line and see her website : www.chubiiline.com
No comments:
Post a Comment