The Stylist and the Styled: QueenSylvia Akuchie
Let’s say it’s the weekend and it’s time for you to kick back, relax, and put on a good show or movie to watch. After all, you’ve had a long week; you deserve it. So you put on something new like the Apple TV show ‘Swagger’ or you’re in the mood for some conspiracy so you put on Gone Girl, when you finally take your pick of the litter, you settle down and get ready for some hours of detailed observations and precise concentration, if you’re someone that watches to pass time, then you’re going to pay attention to the storyline, but if you’re someone who appreciates the arts, you’re going to pay attention to everything from the set design to the makeup. These two shows, though different in genre, share one thing in common: a costume designer, QueenSylvia Akuchie.
Queensylvia Akuchie, photographed by Donte Maurice
Her popularity has skyrocketed since she became the costume designer for the show Bel-Air, but she’s not a newcomer to the game. She started with styling commercials, moved on to music videos, and album covers before she settled into her current role as a costume designer. Her first-ever gig was a TV commercial for a clothing store called City Trends, before she broadened her horizons.
Although she now primarily works in film, QueenSylvia had stated that she initially worked with musicians, styling the likes of Lil Wayne, Marsha Ambrosius, and Mario. This was before she discovered that she could do a lot more with the gift she had.
Deciding to pursue a career like that while coming from a country like Nigeria, where these occupations are often made to sound unattainable, is inspiring. QueenSylvia herself said her mom wasn’t as receptive to the idea until she graduated from college and started seeing her bag major projects. Now the stylist has over 15 years of experience in the field, I read her story in an interview she had with Vanguard in 2016 where she stated she did her research and found out her grandfather was a tailor for Biafra soldiers and her mom who was opposed to the career at first also had a history with fashion, so maybe this was always her calling, thankfully she answered.
Her mix of Nigerian-American heritage gives her a wide range of experiences that have allowed her to illuminate her artistry in a way that truly inspires cultural growth. She has worked on various projects, including Tyler Perry’s Madea franchise, Lottery Ticket, Stomp the Yard, Single Mom’s Club, Gone Girl, Like a Boss, Star, Bel-Air, and Jefferson County, among others. She’s even been given partial credit for African designers now being able to showcase their designs in Paris and Milan.
Jabari Banks and Simone Joy Jones, styled by Queensylvia Akuchie, featured on Bel-Air, Season 3, Episode 1
But I must say, despite her skilled background, her skyrocketing popularity amongst people who don’t work in her industry is due to the outfits on her most recent gig, “Bel-Air”, going viral. Her work on the show has intrigued many into looking into her career. The original show “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” was already known for its fashion, which had set the precedent for what viewers expect to see from the reboot fashion-wise. Akuchie prioritises that representation in her styling. In the last season, we saw Hilary Banks, played by Coco Jones, walk down the aisle in a custom Harbison Studio mini gown, which cost around $ 27,000. It was all anyone could talk about after the episode aired.
Coco Jones wearing custom Harbison Studio, styled by Queensylvia Akuchie, featured on Bel-Air Season 3, Episode 10
More exposure needs to be shed on Akuchie’s career to inspire young Africans. Akuchie is currently in high demand and renowned within the entertainment and fashion industries, but I can only imagine that if people were more aware of the individuals behind the scenes, they’d know there’s a wider range of careers than those laid out for us in the fashion industry.