Tuesday 21-01-2014 - 16:42

Zainab Vandu-Chikolo came to Middlesex Univeristy in 2007 to study fashion as an undergraduate. Fast-forward to 2014 and she's designing her own clothes range and styling international pop superstars Kayne West and Rihanna.

 

Curious to know how she did it? Read on!

 

 

 

 

You were a MDX Fashion student. What attracted you to MDX in particular?

 

I studied at MDX between 2007 and 2010. My tutors at college had always advised me that MDX would be a great choice as they were good at nurturing creativity and helping designers to become individuals. I was drawn to the fact that they had a less commercial reputation.

 

 

How did you make the transition from studying fashion to styling professionally?

 

In this industry and with styling in particular it can be really difficult to make that transition, you need an opportunity to get yourself known. For me it was being on the show and being able to make a lot of new and very useful contacts as well as meet potential clients.

 

 

What are your tips for MDX students hoping to make the same career moves?

 

Work hard and set yourself realistic targets of what you want to achieve and by when. Take every opportunity that comes your way (big or small) and talk to EVERYBODY. I've found that work opportunities can arise from the briefest of encounters.

 

 

What are your memories of studying at MDX?

 

A lot of early mornings and late nights in the studio, my workspace was my second home! Also the cat that used to live on our old Campus Cat Hill.

 

 

What was the biggest barrier to your ambition? How did you overcome it?

 

Money - fashion is a industry that requires a lot of it no matter how small you want to start up. It can be difficult when you have an idea or ambitions that you want to achieve and the only thing holding you back is finance.

 

Educating yourself in costs, prices and suppliers is the best way to get around financial difficulties when sourcing materials. Also try for sponsorship, some companies are happy to help students with things like fabrics, zips etc. Some even loan accessories for shows etc so its worth getting in contact.

 

 

Working for Rihanna is every stylist’s dream. How did it come about?

 

I saw an advert somewhere on the internet about a TV show looking for up and coming designers/stylists. I had no idea what it was about or who would be involved at the time but applied anyway.

 

Throughout the process of the show I got the chance to design for a number of stars including Kanye West, Little Mix and Katy Perry and eventually Rihanna. After the show I made sure to keep in contact with as many people as I could so that I could continue to keep them as clients.

 

 

Can you tell us a bit about the looks you designed for her?

 

For Wireless festival I created a bejewelled lace bralet and pant set styled with an oversized peacock print silk bomber jacket. The theme was Cleopatra so we topped it off with a black flat cape with a gold serpent on it and army boots.

 

 

 

Another look for Rihanna was one she wore one set of a shoot with Terry Richardson whilst shooting for Rolling Stone magazine. She loves anything camo print and when I last saw her she loved the jacket I was wearing so I made one for her.

 

 

 

What’s your personal career highlight, so far?

 

It definitely still has to be seeing Rihanna up on stage in front of 80,000 people wearing a full look designed and styled by me. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity.

 

 

What’s next?

 

Lots hopefully, I've been working on my line (for what feels like forever now!). Its called The Bomb and its all about Bomber jackets because I love them.

 

  

 

Stay up to date with Zainab's career by following her on Twitter at @ZainabSTR - and be sure to check out her website!