Shabani Binyangi on Style, Storytelling, and Making His Mark
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Well, my name is Shabani Binyangi, I am 18 years old, and I have been into fashion since I was 15. I have goals and visions that I wanna bring into reality, I would consider myself as an artist I don’t like putting myself in a bounded box. I want to explore and challenge my mind.
How did you get into fashion & modelling?
I got into fashion at an early age. I would say the music I listen to had a massive impact on the way I dressed from the time when I started styling myself in garments that would complement my body and the emotions I feel in the moment. I would say shows like PAQ had me rolling fashion-wise, and artists like A$AP Rocky, Tyler The Creator, Luka Sabbat, Ian Connor, and Bloody Osiris had a big impact on how I got into fashion.
I got into modelling when I saw the collaboration A$AP Rocky did with Guess. I would see his face everywhere, and it just made me think, imagine the possibility and boundaries I have to break to get there. Even a person like Ian Conner inspired me to get into modelling, even though he wasn’t a runway model; he broke boundaries for the next generation to take opportunities to be able to work with a brand. I also gained faith in the fact that I could do fashion when Odell Mun made it; he inspired me and made me believe that anything is possible.
In terms of fashion, I’ve seen your modelling & styling, do you also design clothing?
Yes, I started designing my own pieces when I was 16, after watching a fashion show by Raf Simons. Ever since then I have been working on my brand design’s which will be released in mid-November.
Is fashion your main career, or do you do other things?
I wanna expand and do so much more than just fashion, I would call myself an artist. I want to get more into the business and other avenues in which I can create and invest my time. I also play sports, which helps me express myself.
What’s your background & what was your upbringing like?
I am Congolese, but I was born in Zambia, and then I came to Australia when I was 5 or 6 years old. From there, I went to Ingle Farm Primary School & Gilles Plains Primary School. I look back now and I appreciate everything I experienced from an early age. Throughout my childhood, I would skate a lot and play soccer, which I still do. At age 16, I started writing down my thoughts & that’s how I got into mindful poetry. When I was 17, I started creating & filming everything I experienced, which has helped me create a YouTube channel.
Photo: @aaraoward.jpg
Where do you primarily draw inspiration from, or who/what inspires you?
I would say my emotions inspire me a lot when creating, the colours and the temperature I use reflecreflect When styling or trying to create a new look, I watch a lot of fashion shows that inspire me to break boundaries between the norm that people expect you to wear and what is allowed in the fashion show. I would also say a lot of eras inspire me, like the 70s, 80s and the 2000s.
What would a typical day in life with Shabani look like?
I go to sleep at 11 pm, then I get up, stretch & play some Jay-Z to start the day or Kanye West, depending on the mood. Around 10 am, I would start reading and take notes, and at noon, I would work out and work on my mobility. Later, around 2 pm, I’ll watch some lectures and complete some assignments. Around 5 pm, I start watching fashion or looking at brands that I take concepts or use as references for my upcoming brand., At 7 pm, I would chill and FaceTime people, and then around 9-10 pm, I would watch The Fresh Prince to make myself laugh.
Any advice for those who want to pursue fashion or get themselves involved with the fashion & arts industry?
Believe in the limitless.
Believe in manifestation, create a list of goals you want to achieve, both short-term and long-term goals. Anything you put your mind to is possible. What you crave will soon be yours. Someone once told me you could be in Vogue tomorrow, so you never know when all the hard work and time you have invested is gonna show out. Just know it’s a Journey, but you gotta have faith.
@SHABANIWORLDX
@MADE.BY.US.JP
