John Galliano once said that the joy of dressing is an art, much dependent on expressing oneself creatively that Edwin Kiprotich Chiloba sometimes sheds tears while marveling at his work.
How intense does the emotional bond go? What of the excitement of seeing ideas and personalities come to life in an outfit? Does it ever stop? Well, I had the pleasure of interviewing Edwin Chiloba to talk about his intense love affair. The babe? FASHION. Trust me when I say that the 24-year-old is quite a stunner, guys… The way he plays with colors in his outfits, the Kamba in me just can’t.
Edwin Chiloba’s Background
Edwin was born in Elgeyo Marakwet, and he recounts a childhood filled with distress after losing his mother at a very young age. Death would later strike again in high school, robbing him of his father – the only parent he had left. He talks of his father highly and points out that he found a sense of acceptance and belonging in the man who encouraged his uniqueness.
As is the norm in our cultures, he became the burden of relatives after his father’s demise. Though he spent most of his school years hopping from one teacher or relatives home to another, he had a strong determination that saw him score a clean B- after the fourth form. He enrolled for a degree in Education at Moi University West Campus, wherein the diversity of school clubs and exposure, he found his happiness, a new love, fashion.
In his third year, he started putting outfits together and going for photoshoots and pageants that his relatives were not proud of. Some said he was evil, and some satanic influences were to blame for his behavior which resulted in the discontinuation of his studies.
The Pursuit For Fashion
A broken and soulless Edwin Chiloba would later move to Nairobi; depressed and with no direction, a friend offered to sign him at his modeling agency. He came up with his designs, and not long after, he got his breakthrough through a Facebook message from a white couple who loved his designs. They would later enroll him in a fashion course and support him and his dream.
What kept him going on dark days? He knew what was in him, the fulfillment he got from chasing his purpose, and the uniqueness he enjoys in being himself.
His advice to anyone reading this? Courage brothers, courage sister… Just one life, go for your happiness, and defend your dreams! Lazima itajipa my frens
Today Edwin Chiloba is a nominee for the Pulse Fashion Influencer of the year award 2021; tomorrow, he’ll be rocking it at a fashion show in Paris.
