We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chinwe. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chinwe below.
Chinwe, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
When I think about this question, I consider age. I often find myself being the youngest person in the room. Rather than being intimidated, it motivates me. It reminds me how far I’ve already come at such a young age—and that encourages me to keep pushing forward. With time and consistency, I’m confident I’ll reach the goals I’ve set for myself.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m a fashion designer and stylist, and I own a slow-fashion brand called Outlyer Effect. I hand-make every piece myself—from sketching initial designs to cutting and sewing the final garments. I also style all of my brand shoots and personal creative projects, which I use to build my professional portfolio.
For me, the most meaningful part of the process is the creation itself—bringing an idea from my head into reality, inspired by my surroundings and by designs I haven’t seen before. I love being hands-on with the entire process, especially styling the finished looks on body and seeing how they come to life.
Outlyer Effect is all about helping people stand out in the best way possible. The clothes I make are conversation starters—they make people curious, they spark dialogue.
Right now, I’m preparing for college homecoming season. I design college apparel for all universities, but I’m putting a strong focus on HBCU communities right now since Homecoming is approaching, knowing how much pride students, alumni, and faculty take in their homecoming culture. I want the apparel to reflect that pride and reach the audiences it’s made for.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three areas of knowledge that have had the greatest impact on me are: knowing how to sew, understanding the numerical side of my business, and having the determination to keep going no matter what.
My biggest advice to anyone pursuing fashion is to never stop learning. Keep educating yourself daily about the industry—understand the trend cycle, what influences the market, and most importantly, what works for you.
Creativity is only half of the job. The other half is business—understanding your numbers, tracking your progress, and staying on top of the data that helps you grow.
If you’ve already found your passion for fashion, hold on to that. Keep creating. Keep building your drive. And stay close to people who share your mindset and inspire you to keep evolving.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
One of the most impactful books I’ve read is Three Feet from Gold by Greg S. Reid and Sharon Lechter. The central message is: you never know how close you are to achieving your goals, so don’t give up.
The title comes from a story originally told in Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, about a man named R.U. Darby who gave up on a gold mine just three feet away from striking gold. He sold the property to someone else, who succeeded simply because they had the right knowledge and kept going.
That story stuck with me. It reminds me not to sell myself short and to trust the process. I know I’m building something real with the purest intentions—for both my brand and myself. Growth takes time, and I’m committed to doing the work, staying consistent, and waiting for my moment.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://outlyereffect.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outlyereffect
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Outlyereffect
Image Credits
Kharim Cadeus and Ben-Jethro Pierre
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