950 Lounge Show with guest Egypt Ufele
Episode notes
Egypt “Ify” Ufele is a 16-year-old fashion designer, an anti-bullying activist and the founder of Chubiline and Bully Chasers.
Egypt has been profiled by the New York Times, Teen Vogue, People and other major US publications for her achievements in the fashion industry and for BullyChasers—the charity she launched to end bullying.
It wasn’t always a kind and gentle world for the amiable teen. “I was bullied and called names in school,” she says, recounting incidents of being punched in the back and having her finger dislocated. “One time, a boy stabbed me with a pencil.”
She is CEO of Chubiiline, a plus-size fashion line specializing in styles for curvy women, catering to sizes 00 to 26. “If someone comes to my rack, they’ll never hear the words, ‘We don’t have anything for you,’” says Egypt, who also designs for men, children and puppies.
At age five, “I began helping my grandmother by pushing the pedals on her sewing machine,” she told Africa Renewal in an interview. At 10, she was the youngest designer to feature at New York Fashion Week.