BY TAMMY SCILEPPI
She turned “lemons” into one-of-akind
designs.
Most young fashionistas can only
dream of becoming future fashion influencers,
but you can say that teen entrepreneur
Egypt ‘Ify’ Ufele has been there
and done that … even though this budding
clothing designer has a long way to
go as she hones her craft.
The magic happens from her home
studio in Laurelton, where she conjures
up unique, custom-made styles and sews
up a storm – while juggling schoolwork
and a tutoring gig.
Ufele, 14, says her designs went from
her ‘backyard’ in Queens to New York
Fashion Week. And it seemed to happen
in a New York minute.
Her inspiring story went viral in 2016
when she launched her very own company
called Chubiiline – which featured
mostly African-inspired clothing for
plus-size women – during Fashion Week.
But it was Ify’s healing journey that
touched the hearts of many New Yorkers,
when the 10-year-old revealed that she
first started sewing (on her grandma’s
old Singer sewing machine), as a way of
dealing with the emotional pain she felt
after constantly being bullied in school
for her size. But thanks to grandma’s
help and her mom’s ongoing support, the
youngster gradually regained her confidence
and self-esteem.
QNS caught up with the young CEO,
who’s back in the limelight with her new
runway collection. And there’s more good
news: Ufele has turned her anti-bullying
campaign up a notch with a just-released
music video and self-published book,
titled “Egypt Ufele: Life by My Own Design”
(Amazon).
“You look good, you feel good…”
That’s Egypt’s daily mantra.
Currently, she makes 60 or so gowns
per year and sells them for $250 to $1,000
each, along with “all-inclusive designs
for everyone” – women, guys, and kids –
in sizes 00 to 26.
In a recent interview, Ufele told QNS
that she sells her pieces to celebs, as well.
And Ufele’s mom, Dr. Reba Perry-Ufele,
noted that a plus-size girl from Harlem
who couldn’t get a prom gown that fit
well was so happy when she finally found
Chubiiline. In fact, she looked so great in
the lovely dress custom-made just for her,
that she was voted prom queen.
“Egypt has come a long way! As a
mother, I always knew she has a special
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gift,” said Ify’s mother.
Ufele shared that she self-funded her
runway show in Brooklyn last month
during Fashion week.
“I wanted to show the diversity of my
designs,” she said, pointing out that the
lineup of younger and older models –
who rocked her trendy, eye-catching creations
– “came from everywhere, across
the U.S.” The designer also gave out
‘Youth-preneur Awards’ to eight young
people who started their own businesses
and noted that she’ll be taking part in a
bigger Fashion Week show in September.
“The only one stopping you is you!”
according to the feisty fashionista.
Ufele recently collaborated on her new
music video with artist Yung Musa and
the two will be touring together, as well.
In April, they’re traveling to a school in
Nigeria then heading to the Essence Festival
and a US Virgin Islands Fashionista
event, in July.
Egypt’s book has been used as a
learning tool during her visits to city
and Long Island schools – accompanied
by some of her former bullies – where
they’ve been spreading their empowering
anti-bullying message. She said
many schools are buying her book in
bulk.
The Queens creative has been profiled
by many national publications, including
The New York Times, Teen Vogue,
People, and HuffPost, for her achievements
and her charity, BullyChasers. In
February, you may have seen Ufele and
her designs featured in Spectrum News
NY1’s “Trailblazers,” which celebrated
Black History Month.
You can order Egypt’s designs on
her website www.chubiiline.com or
Instagram page.
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