Today we’d like to introduce you to Chiugo Akujuobi.
Hi Chiugo, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As a kid, I wanted nothing more than to be on America’s Next Top Model. Fashion and art were my life, and I would fill binders with fashion designs and cartoon characters my pre-pubescent brain concocted. Those binders also held all of the stories I wrote of lands far away and of realities that weren’t mine. That passion for the arts never left me, and now, as an adult, I honestly owe my modeling career to Jil Dever, the first brand I modeled for. They’re an eclectic, luxury slow fashion scarf brand. I met the creative director, Jil, once in passing while in college. I casually began a conversation with her and her daughter/my friend Elle probably over Jil’s fabulous outfit. This was about four years ago, and I still remember the outfit she had on that made me strike up that conversation: A navy blue Ralph Lauren Polo blazer, wide-leg khaki pants, and a divine–what I assume to be a–Jil Dever scarf tied around her neck. After that one chance meeting, her daughter DMed me on Instagram letting me know that her mom would love for me to model for them. Jil then sent me a box of scarves to work with, and since then, we’ve collaborated to produce multiple photoshoots over the last 4 years. I learned to edit and photograph myself because she trusted in me, and that eventually lead to me photographing others and creating digital art. I owe my larger photography career to Binty Harvey and Jackie Legazcue from the Office of Marketing and Communications at Scripps College, where I worked for three years. I casually struck up a conversation with Binty who was then the Vice President of Marketing at Scripps. She loved my outfit and invited me into the office. There, I met Jackie, who hired me and entrusted me with a camera, and the rest was history.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I work relentlessly on my crafts. The biggest challenge has been realizing that because I’m black and have acned skin, I have to work ten times harder than any non-black model with clear skin. This isn’t to say that these non-black, non-acned models aren’t talented or that I’m better than them. No, this is to say that I had to persevere through all of the rejections I got from modeling agencies, which forced me to carve a lane of my own using Instagram. I didn’t have the time to wait for someone to see my potential when I undoubtedly saw it in myself already–you snooze, you lose, and I refuse to lose. I’ve wanted to quit modeling so many times because I felt like my efforts weren’t receiving the recognition they deserved. I mean, I quite literally creative direct, model, style, do my own makeup, and photograph myself as well as edit my photos. For shoots with Jil Dever, I research photoshoot locations; create extensive shot lists complete with locations to shoot at, outfits to change into, and model poses to hit. I create a variation of that same shot list for other brands I work with, too–that’s an immense amount of work to do on your own. On top of that, when I can’t photograph myself, I have to hire local photographers and coordinate with them.
I’ve had to learn to be a one-person business. I taught myself how to copywrite in order to create engaging Instagram captions. I’m an essayist, poet, and generally hilarious human being. You have to be authentically funny to connect with hundreds of people every week. I’ve had to teach myself how to be an excellent communicator to send out brand pitches and get my messages across to my digital community. A part of being an excellent communicator is knowing when, where, and how to push out your message. I’m constantly researching market trends and changes across social media. My brain has learned how to quickly analyze what posting times and methods are working for me and others and what isn’t working. There would be times when I’d look through my friends’ Instagrams making note of the days I found that gained them the most likes. I also made an extensive log of the days and times I would post. Along with the log, I created a rating system to gauge which days and times performed better. Instagram isn’t just pretty pictures. Influencing/putting your work out on social media has, for me, required extensive strategy and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.
I wholeheartedly love what I do, but I’d be lying to you if I told you it was easy to be so self-sufficient (I hope to not be for too much longer). What I present to people is 16+ years of honing my skills, and I’m 23. My successes are a culmination of years of practice, passion, and perseverance. I constantly have to find the will to keep pushing, to keep showing up for the people who need my reminder of the beauty found in authenticity and unwavering self-belief. Recognition like this, from Voyage, certainly helps remind me that there are people who find my work important, and I deeply appreciate that reminder.
All in all, my hard work will be worth it when I grace the Met Gala red carpet.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
“Chiugo” is synonymous with “jack of all trades, eventual master of all”. I’m a lifelong student; model; stylist; dancer; essayist; poet; future published author; orator; copywriter; architectural, portrait, and nature photographer; digital content marketing strategist; researcher; sketch artist; makeup artist; digital artist; photo editor and retoucher; creative director; influencer; business owner. And I’m without a doubt missing skills I can’t remember at the moment. Oh! I recently learned that I’m quite good at cutting hair! I discover a new talent every Tuesday at 5 pm central time.
From the aforementioned remembered talents, I specialize mostly in influencing, modeling, photography, copywriting, poetry, and essay writing. But in all honesty, I’m not deep into my artistic career enough yet to say that I have specializations. I’m just trying things out right now. I’m good at all of them, but I’d like to eventually be an expert in a couple of my talents. The tentative specialization list just happens to be what I’m remarkably good at and have a passion for at the present moment.
I’m proud of my accolades from graduating from a top 50 liberal arts college to gracing the August 2020 cover of OutSmart Magazine. In a slightly morbid turn and with tears building in my eyes, because I’ve struggled with mental health issues my entire life–from anxiety to C-PTSD–I’m immensely proud of myself for still being alive, for my begrudging resilence. I’m proud of myself for never letting “no” discourage me from following my dreams, even when those “no”’s come from my anguished brain. Giving very much tortured artist, but make it “fashion”.
Proud of how gentle and patient I am with myself. I love that I prioritize rest because that’s the only way I’ll have the energy to succeed. Anyone who tells you that sleep isn’t necessary to gain career success is feeding you a capitalist and classist lie. The goal is to work smart and hard not just hard; and a part of working smart is resting to give your mind time to heal, time to think of new ideas, and time to find solutions to the problems that plague you and our societies. I’m proud of my ability to sit in silence and stillness. I’m proud of my ability to nap! I’m not perfect at gentleness with self, but hey! I’m patient enough to know that I’ll improve over time.
Overall, I’m proud of my authenticity and vulnerability with myself and others. I didn’t achieve all that I’ve achieved on my own. I’ve had countless people help me because I asked for that help. After all, I know that every human being deserves help. Ain’t I a human? I didn’t ask to be on this planet. I’m not going to make being here any harder for myself. I’m going to live my life to its absolute fullest, ‘til the wheels fall off. The only way to get through the things I’ve been through and to live such a full life is to know when to ask for aid, when to aid others, and when to aid yourself.
As for what sets me apart, that includes the aforementioned and the fact that I have a keen ability to see multiple sides of a problem while still holding strong in my beliefs. I love that I know that few things are inherently good or bad they just “are”. This philosophy presents itself quite a lot in my work as I push through what we’re supposed to see as bad and shine a more forgiving light on it. I help people see that the unusual is, in reality, quite usual. They just haven’t been looking in the right places. This all helps me find common ground with people, and if we can’t meet each other in the middle, I’m okay with that living as our conclusion. I don’t expect everyone to agree with me. I just hope they’ll listen and take what resonates with them and their experiences while gifting me with their perspectives.
You all didn’t ask but, as my career flourishes, I hope to be known for my integrity, kindness, and respect for others and myself. And for my big, galaxy brain or, as some would say, my intellect.
Any big plans?
I am in the process of setting up my Redbubble account (@ChiugoRossi) to sell prints of my photography. Make sure you follow me on Instagram (@Mx.Chiugo) to find out when my digital grand opening will take place. I also plan on offering my influencing and modeling services more widely and intentionally. I’m filled with excitement and glee at the thought of collaborating with other Houston creatives!
Generally, I’ll be increasing my activity on my social media. I’m self-employed as an influencer and artist now, so I kind of have to (LOL). My Pinterest (@Mx_Chiugo) will see more activity along with my new YouTube channel (@Chiugo). I had been mulling over starting a YouTube channel as that’s easier to get longer messages across, and Lord, can I talk! My channel is still unlisted in search results, so click the YouTube link in this article to subscribe!
I simply plan on building an art empire. Not in the imperialistic sense, but in the sense that I will continue to carve out different artistic paths for myself and others.
I hope to find spiritual and business mentors as well. I still have so much to learn and will be learning for the rest of my life. I plan and hope to be surrounded by people who can show me perspectives I never thought to realize.
Conclusively, I plan on occupying a position of esteem in the art world.
Pricing:
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$299 per 2.5 hour photo session with 2 outfits
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$499 daily modeling rate (for brands, not local creatives looking to collaborate)
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$399 per Instagram Reel, $299 per Instagram Post, $33 per Instagram Story (posting rates subject to brand budget/change)
Contact Info:
- Email: chiugo@chiugo.art
- Website: chiugoakujuobi.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mx.chiugo/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVxu1VRHajpp1R49PDKE09g
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/Mx_Chiugo/_saved/
Image Credits
Tionge Daka
Chiugo Akujuobi
Nanci Olebe
Daniel Godfrey
