Leaf B, the stylist and artist hailing from Houston, Texas, is making waves in the fashion and music industries with his unique blend of Nigerian culture and urban style. Growing up in Alief, Tx, Leaf B’s love for fashion developed alongside his passion for basketball, eventually leading him into the world of styling. “My first love was basketball all throughout my childhood, that’s all I wanted to do is play ball and play in the NBA. Second to that came fashion and the love of putting together fits!”
With a background in music, Leaf B’s artistic expression plays a significant role in his work as a stylist. “I see it all as COLORS. Whether it’s lyrics from a song, the beat of the drum, we are here to color the world. Expression in the art form is underrated. It speaks without words :)” Drawing inspiration from music, movies, magazines, and everyday life, Leaf B’s creative process is a blend of meticulous planning and spontaneous creativity. “Pure boredom and doing nothing helps too. That’s where the magic happens.”
One of Leaf B’s notable projects was styling himself in a music video in Lagos, where he wore a fur coat; inspired by Fela Kuti, showcasing a fusion of Nigerian and urban fashion. This blending of cultures is a hallmark of Leaf B’s work, as he strives to bridge the gap between Africans in the diaspora through his unique sense of style. “The fusion of Nigerian culture is what makes the fashion work stand out! A Gift from God.”
As an artist himself, Leaf B finds a seamless connection between his music and fashion careers. “Honestly, it all starts from a fly ass fit lol everything start with fashion for me. The colors I put on my body influence the music I make in the studio. They go hand in hand. It’s Art/expression.” His advice to aspiring fashion creatives / stylists is to stay true to themselves, do proper research, and remain consistent in their work. “Do you and do it consistently with thick skin. Everybody has an opinion. Take it all with a grain of salt. Do proper research and lock in on your own story.”
Leaf B also touches on the influence of Afrobeats on global fashion trends, noting that the genre’s colorful and expressive nature has resonated with people worldwide. “The bridging of the gap is being seen globally now. Afro, Latino, Korean pop, they have a unique sense of expressing. COLOR is the way forward.” He believes that embracing Afrobeats fashion authentically means carrying oneself with a winning spirit, a characteristic he sees as setting Afrobeats fashion apart from other genres.
Looking ahead, Leaf B is excited about his collaboration with nxkdenim on comfortable slides and the recent release of GALAKTIQ’s single, “Lagos Nights.” His definition of success is to stay consistent and motivated in creating innovative and exciting work, both in fashion and music. Leaf B’s story is a testament to the power of passion and creativity in shaping one’s career and leaving a lasting impact on the industry.
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