When celebrities step out looking like a million bucks, the applause usually goes to the musician, actor or public personality wearing the outfit.
But behind some of those carefully curated looks is a creative mind whose job is to ensure that the stars don’t just show up, but make a statement.
Born Brian Lucky Mwavali, a fashion designer, stylist and commercial model who is steadily carving out his space in Kenya’s entertainment and fashion industry.
His name, interestingly, has roots in his dancing days. Back when he was part of a dance crew called Siblings, having two Brians in the group became confusing. A friend christened him Yobi, and the name stuck. Denzel came later, inspired by his admiration for Hollywood actor Denzel Washington. And just like that, a fashion identity was born.
Before the clothes, fittings and celebrity assignments, Denzel was an artiste at heart. His journey into fashion happened organically, growing from a love for creativity into a profession he could build a life around. As opportunities came knocking, he decided to invest in his craft and take the plunge.
One of his notable celebrity associations is with Nyashinski. Their working relationship began with the music video he did with Femi One, giving the two an opportunity to build trust and creative chemistry before bigger assignments came along.
“Dressing an artiste of Nyashinski’s stature requires understanding the man, the music and the brand. It is not simply about putting together expensive clothes; it is about telling a story through an outfit,” he says.
And while celebrity styling may look glamorous from the outside, it comes with its fair share of drama. Not every client sees fashion through the stylist’s eyes, and Denzel admits that creative disagreements are part of the territory. “Sometimes, an outfit I am excited about does not quite excite the person expected to wear it,” he reveals.
His solution? “Listen, explain and find common ground.” After all, the client must feel comfortable in the final look.
He has also witnessed those fashion moments that leave one wondering who approved an outfit in the first place. Laughing about it, he admits that he has occasionally had to step in and save the day. Apparently, even celebrities sometimes need a little fashion rescue.
But is looking good an expensive affair? Not necessarily, according to Denzel. He believes creativity matters more than the size of one’s wallet, pointing to Kenya’s thrift stores, local designers and emerging brands as accessible avenues for building a stylish wardrobe. ‘What matters is knowing how to put things together,’ he points.
His bigger concern, however, is that styling remains undervalued. While audiences admire the finished product, they rarely appreciate the hours, creativity and planning behind it. He believes stylists deserve recognition and compensation for their ideas and expertise, not merely the time spent dressing someone.
Beyond styling other people’s identities, he is nurturing his own fashion ambition through GOE, an abbreviation for Good Over Evil. The brand represents more than clothing, embracing identity, confidence, originality and individuality. He hopes to grow it into a sustainable label with a presence beyond Kenya.
Away from work, Denzel is hardly the type to disappear into the background. He enjoys experimenting with his own wardrobe and admits that he is usually his own stylist and toughest critic. Sometimes, however, even he needs an honest friend to remind him that less is more. He has also walked into rooms where his outfit attracted more attention than he did. Sometimes, he says, ‘that is precisely the point!’
His celebrity wish list includes Willy Paul, Otile Brown and Azeezah Hashim, three personalities whose different styles and identities he would love to explore creatively.
Ultimately, he wants to take his craft beyond Kenya, work with international artistes and build GOE into a recognised fashion brand. More importantly, he hopes to create opportunities for fellow creatives.