BEHIND THE STITCH: ALANI
June 21, 2024
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In a moment that blends star power with cultural prestige, Nigerian designer Ugo Mozie has styled martial arts legend and movie icon, Jackie Chan for the cover of Haute Living magazine, making headlines across fashion and entertainment spheres. The collaboration isn’t just visually striking–it’s symbolic. It represents a historic fusion of Afrocentric design and Eastern celebrity, anchored in the evolving narrative of global luxury. Mozie, a prominent figure in international fashion and a champion of African heritage, curated a look for Chan that gracefully marries high-end Western pieces with contemporary African artistry, positioning Nigerian fashion as an undeniable force on the world stage.
The styling for the shoot is as intentional as it is visually arresting. Jackie Chan dons a Fendi sweater that sets a tone of understated luxury, but it’s the details that make this look transcendent. Mozie paired the knitwear with trousers from his own fashion label, Eleven Sixteen, a brand committed to reimagining traditional African fabrics into modern silhouettes. The trousers speak volumes–not just of style, but of legacy, innovation, and cultural elevation. Completing the outfit are 313 Eko sneakers, a streetwear nod to Lagos’ energetic fashion scene, as well as Oliver Peoples sunglasses and an Emmanuele Bicocchi ring that add a modern, metropolitan edge. The result is a seamless blend of elegance, heritage, and storytelling, captured in a cover that feels effortless, bold, and globally relevant.
Ugo Mozie’s styling of Jackie Chan is more than an aesthetic choice–it’s a cultural statement. Born in Enugu, Nigeria, Mozie has long championed African excellence in fashion, with a career that spans celebrity styling, creative direction, and international brand consultation. Having worked with the likes of Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, and Travis Scott, Mozie is no stranger to high-profile collaborations. Yet this moment with Jackie Chan feels uniquely impactful. By styling one of Asia’s most beloved global icons in Afro-luxury pieces, Mozie creates a cross-cultural exchange that challenges conventional fashion hierarchies and redefines what luxury looks like in a rapidly diversifying global market.
For Haute Living, a magazine that caters to ultra-high-net-worth readers across luxury real estate, fashion, and lifestyle, this cover feature is a bold editorial choice. It doesn’t merely spotlight celebrity; it introduces its elite readership to the richness of African craftsmanship and the sophisticated narratives embedded in modern African design. The cover quickly gained traction online, trending across social platforms and garnering praise for its sharp styling and fresh perspective. Fashion enthusiasts, African creatives, and global fans of Jackie Chan applauded the look, many calling it a refreshing and proud moment of cultural convergence.
This isn’t the first time Ugo Mozie has disrupted the fashion landscape, and it certainly won’t be the last. With the April 2025 launch of Eleven Sixteen, his mission has been clear: to position African design as not just culturally rich, but globally aspirational. Each piece from his label tells a story–of heritage, identity, and the power of dressing with intention. The Jackie Chan feature brings that vision to life on a scale that few could imagine, turning a simple photoshoot into a landmark moment for Afrocentric fashion. It’s a quiet revolution in fabric and form, one that speaks volumes without ever needing to shout.
In styling Jackie Chan with such deliberate cultural synergy, Ugo Mozie has once again demonstrated why he’s one of the most vital voices in global fashion today. This collaboration isn’t just a headline–it’s a testament to the future of luxury, one where African creativity sits at the head of the table, commanding attention, respect, and a well-deserved place on the world stage.
