Fashion Stylist, Rosemary Kokuhilwa-Fashion Junkii
If you have ever paid close attention to any red carpet events, you might have noticed that no celebrity walks there alone. They usually have an “entourage”. There are PR people, security, managers etc.When you are a public figure, there is always some performance anxiety and elements of fear about what people would think. And of course in the world of fashion and glamor there are “fashion police”. No one wants to end up in the worst dressed lists. You’d rather be somewhere in the middle.
In the entourage, if you have noticed, there is someone with deep eyes that show the sensitivity of a scholar. A stylist. When a celebrity steps forward and get ready to have camera flashes lights act like they want to poke his/her faces, the stylist is looking direct with an odd mingling of wariness and amusement in his/her eyes. What you see on TV, Magazines, and Commercials etc in most cases is a final work of a stylist.
Rosemary Kokuhilwa also popular as Fashion Junkii, is one among the stylist we know and admire. Blessed with model looks and poise, she fell in love with everything fashion and glamor at a very young age. I think it is safe to say; fashion likes her back. I wanted to find out more about her and her career as a fashion stylist. I reached out and she was kind enough to grant me this exclusive interview. Read On…
BC: Welcome to BC Rosemary. I am not sure whether you like to be called Koku or Rose… How are you doing?
RK: Thank you Bongo Celebrity. I am doing great. I actually prefer Rosemary, Only people who are dear / close to my heart can call me Koku.
BC: I know very little about your background Koku. I am guessing your fans too. Can you share with me a bit about that? Birth; school… anything you want to share.
RK: There’s not much to say really or maybe I should say that I love to keep my life private that way it keeps people like you wondering what I’m really all about. But to keep it short, I was born in Bukoba, lived in Mwanza and Singida briefly then moved to Dar-es-Salaam where I grew up. I did my Primary school, O-levels and A- Levels there before I moved to the United States.
BC: When did you first fall in love with the world of fashion?
RK: At a very young age if I remember correctly. I believe my parents’ sense of style had a major influence on my path. My fathers (who used to travel all around the world) style was a fusion between the 70′s and Bob Marley with his favorite Lee and Levis jeans.
My mother, on the other hand, would wear her favorite Lee denims; white crisp buttoned shirt, black stilettos and put her hair in a big Afro. She would then spray herself with Opium by YSL, her favorite perfume. It was her who made me discover designer Yves Saint Laurent at a young age (he came to be my favorite designer of all times). I thought my mother was the most stylish woman on earth.
BC: How did you first start working as a stylist? What was your first styling job?
RK: Modeling in NY wasn’t working out for me. It’s a tough business, especially now; ask any model especially ones from Africa. It’s very hard to book a job. So because I wanted to stay in the same field of fashion, I decided to pursue styling. I have always loved the power of styling and the transformation it brings to the world of fashion. I love perusing through the fashion magazines where I get to admire and get inspired by other peoples work. I had a good eye then (and still do might I add), which helped a lot.
Also, what helped the most was my friends who reached out to me for fashion advise whenever they needed it. I was that girlfriend who stayed on the phone with a friend who was miles and miles away, helping her figure out what to wear to a first date or a big party in town. It was fun. That’s when it hit me that I needed to turn it into a career and get paid.My first styling job was for trade with BHF Magazine (I didn’t get paid for it). It was okay then because I needed a room to grow and get my name out there.
BC: Educate me a bit here; what is the difference between a stylist and a designer. What are the similarities [if any]
RK: Well, a Stylist is a person who is responsible for selecting clothes for published editorials, print and television advertising campaigns, music videos, concert performances, Celebrities, models and public figures for public appearances.
As a stylist, you are responsible for making people look and feel good about himself or herself. We help bring out peoples personalities and styles through clothing and help boost their self-confidence in the process too. It is all about transformation and bringing visions to life. Stylists may also collaborate directly with designers to produce custom clothing for celebrity clients, editorials or provide services such as personal shopping, restructuring a client’s entire wardrobe, reorganizing a client’s closet, or other duties relating to the client’s personal lifestyle.
A designer, on the other hand, is someone who pretty much designs clothing. A stylist could be also be a designer or a costume designer creating fashion for theaters etc.
BC: Fashion Junkii…where did this iconic, fancy and unique name come from?
RK: Actually it’s one word, Fashionjunkii. When I started blogging I wanted to have a unique name that resonated with my love for fashion. The name Fashionjunkii was given to me by my sister and her then boyfriend. They thought I was a junkie for all things fashion, hence Fashionjunkii. The reason the last two letters are “ii” instead of “i.e.” is because I wanted it to be different. At the moment, I am taking a break from blogging in order to pursue other business ventures.
BC: Most stylists, as I have heard through the grapevine, have what is called a “signature look”. Do you also have a signature look? How would you describe yours?
RK: I would say I have more than one look, depending on the time, season and mood. I am always evolving. A few years back my style used to be very edgy but now I am more about simple, elegant and classic looks. Now and then, I will also throw in something edgy, but that’s about it.
BC: A bit about the business aspect of being a stylist… let’s say I want to work with you as my stylist. How does it work? Do you want to tell me how much do you charge?
RK: I would not like to disclose how much I charge here but I can promise you my rates are very reasonable and affordable. For a new client, I always start with a consultation, which is free of charge. What I do most of the time here is try to get to know the client’s current style, lifestyle, personality, interests, budget, and so on. This is key because it helps me figure out what the client really needs and what works for her/him. After that we either go shopping together or I bring the fashion to her/him. There’s a lot of paper work involved business wise.
BC: Who do you consider to be your style icons of all time?
RK: Well, I would say Veronica Lake, Bianca Jagger, Audrey Hepburn from old Hollywood; Anna Del Russo, Christine Centenera, Carline Roitfeld and Rihanna. I just love how versatile and daring Rihanna is.
BC: Who’d you say are your top five designers right now? Would you say these are also people who inspire you?
RK: I really can’t just mention five designers because a lot of designers inspire me, each one in their own way just because everyone brings something different to the table.
BC: What fashion trends do you real dislike and you can’t wait to see it disappear?
RK: I can’t stand the extreme ripped jeans with big square cut-outs especially above the knees. I think it’s tacky and can’t wait to see it disappear.
BC: Where are you favorite places to shop for budget buys?
RK: I love going to designer outlets and sample sales for out of season deals. You can always find great fashion there
BC: Your online presence is something noticeable. How does social networks [Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for example] influence your styles and outfits?
RK: My style is completely schizophrenic. I can go from being feminine, sexy to over the top, edgy, then switch it up to androgynous. I have no limits. It all depends with my mood. Plus, I don’t wear what I wear for the social networks. I wear it for me.
BC: What is your favorite item in your closet?
RK: I have a lot of favorite items in my close (I guess that’s why I bought them) but I mostly like my shoes. I love a great, sexy pair of high heels. I also love the few designer vintage pieces I currently own, so much history.
BC: Even though you spend most of your time out of Tanzania [and Africa for that matter] I am sure you can relate a lot of things to Tanzania. What is your advise to Tanzanian youth/teenager about fashion, styles and trends?
RK: My advice is to always keep your eyes and ears open and be willing to learn new things. Don’t lock your self in a box; explore things until you know exactly what works for you. Styling is not a fancy job and success might happen over night (rare case) but sometimes it takes time. Just be patient and keep your eyes on the lookout for new opportunities. As a stylist I believe in growth, versatility and humility.
BC: Do you have in mind any dream client? I mean someone you’d real love to work with?
RK: Not just one. I’d love to style Oprah or FLOTUS Michelle Obama…. can you imagine that?? How about getting an account with Tanzania’s First Lady Mama Salma Kikwete? That would be fun!!!! I can only picture the transformation
BC: What project are you working for right now? Anything you want to share and I might have forgotten to ask you?
RK: You know in the past I used to talk about my future plans and things I was working on but that has changed. I now prefer to wait until I know for sure whatever I am working on is ready to be unleashed then I share it with everyone. But not to worry, I do have some exciting stuff on the horizon. Only time will tell.
BC: Thank you very much for your time Rosemary. I wish you all the best in everything you do.
RK: Thanks Jeff.
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