Ugo Mozie: From Self-Styled Teen to Met Gala Visionary

When you talk about celebrity styling with cultural impact and global relevance, one name stands tall, Ugo Mozie. From designing his own clothes in high school to styling Diana Ross for the 2025 Met Gala, Mozie’s story is one of passion, reinvention, and a deep connection to his African roots.

Born in Nigeria and raised in Los Angeles and Houston, Mozie’s love for fashion took shape in his teenage years. Dissatisfied with what stores had to offer in Houston, he began designing clothes that suited his personal taste. That passion led him to co-found his first fashion label, Aston Mozie, at just 17, shortly after moving to New York City. While working as an intern at Virgin Records, his eye for detail and unique approach to style started turning heads.

Breaking Through the Industry (2010s)

Mozie’s first major breakthroughs came as he styled high-profile names like Justin Bieber, Beyonce, Jay-Z, and Travis Scott. His ability to infuse culture with elegance earned him respect across the entertainment and fashion industries. In 2014, he was named the U.S. Public Relations Director for Vivienne Westwood, marking a new level in his global fashion influence.

Elevating African Fashion (2017 – 2024)

Never forgetting his roots, Mozie co-founded WANA (We Are New Africa) in 2017, a nonprofit focused on incubating and spotlighting young African creatives. He continued pushing the envelope with fashion that tells African stories. In 2024, he launched Eleven Sixteen, a Lagos-based fashion brand built on the fusion of traditional African fabrics and contemporary silhouettes.

“Eleven Sixteen is a culmination of my experiences in fashion over the past 15 years. It represents a shift towards authenticity and inclusivity, challenging the stereotypes associated with African clothing,” Mozie told Deeds Magazine.

In the same year, he introduced Mosaic Perfume, a luxury fragrance line inspired by scents from North and West Africa, expanding his creative expression beyond fabric and design.

The Met Gala 2025

One of Mozie’s biggest moment yet came in May 2025, when he styled music legend Diana Ross for her return to the Met Gala after more than 20 years. The event, themed “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”, was a celebration of Black fashion excellence, and Mozie delivered a moment that will go down in history.

Ross stunned the red carpet in a custom silver-embellished gown from her own archive, elevated with an 18-foot feathered train and a dramatic hat, both co-designed with Mozie. As a personal touch, the ensemble was embroidered with the names of her children and grandchildren, making it both couture and heartfelt.

From Lagos to the Met Gala, Ugo Mozie’s rise is a masterclass in blending purpose with style. His work doesn’t just shape how celebrities look, it influences how African stories are told on global stages.