‘I don’t believe in fashion mistakes’: The three essential items this stylist swears by

Karinda Mutabazi is a fashion stylist. Ahead, she shares her favourite designers, essential items and the one thing she would never wear.

I’d describe my style as like a schoolboy – there’s always tailoring mixed with a bit of streetwear. Also, bright and bold – colour makes me happy. The most recent addition to my wardrobe is a green, vintage-style, screen-printed T-shirt from Imogene + Willie in Nashville.

On a first date, I’d wear an Erik Yvon printed denim short and jacket set. On a plane I wear Fool balloon trousers, an oversized E Nolan shirt, a cardigan in some crazy colour and an Incu leather overshirt. On the red carpet, it’s always tailoring – you’re never going to see me in a ball gown. For the Amari Gala celebrating black excellence, I wore a suit from Savers that I upcycled and embellished.

My favourite period in fashion is now because you can cherry-pick from all the eras: brocade from the turn-of-the-century and colour blocking from the ’80s, for example.

My favourite fashion designer is Erik Yvon. He’s my ride or die, we’re good friends and collaborate a lot. Otherwise, it’s more about pieces for me rather than specific designers. I have a theatre background and I’m big on the storytelling aspect, like finding out why a garment was made.

My first fashion moment was when I realised styling was something I could do for a job.

Karinda Mutabazi

The three essential items in my wardrobe are a blazer – a custom pink E Nolan one and an embellished one from Blanca are faves; fun sneakers such as my red and fuchsia Salomon “XT Whisper Aries”, and I’m crazy about socks. I love them for that little pop of colour that brings an outfit together. I find them in the Uniqlo men’s section, at Cos and Chusette.

My go-to jewellery is a stack of necklaces, an eclectic mix of chains, beads and pearls from Underground Sundae, Newend, Culturesse and Rbcca Kstr.

My favourite fragrance is Malin+Goetz “Cannabis”. The shoes I wear most often are loafers from E Nolan and Radical Yes.

My first fashion moment was when I realised styling was something I could do for a job. It was in 2006 when I was working at the Coco Ribbon boutique in London, people like Sienna Miller, Jools Oliver and the Jagger family would come in and we’d dress them for events. I thought this is something I’m interested in.

I don’t believe in fashion mistakes. An outfit always makes sense at the time, so no regrets. And there’s nothing I’d never wear, except fake tan.

On my wish list is a trip to Japan, so I can explore all the archival shopping. Among other things, I’d like to get my hands on Needles tracksuits in all different colours.

My favourite fashion icons are people who have a strong sense of personal style and unique points of view such as Erykah Badu, Solange Knowles, Celine Dion and Colman Domingo.

On a typical working day, I might wear bright pink Acne track pants with two collared shirts – I love a double collar and a weird clash of stripes and prints – and a blazer. On Sunday, it’s Kourh jeans with a tank and shirt in a contrasting colour.

Karinda Mutabazi is styling the M/FW closing runway on October 25.

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