In Nigeria’s fashion scene, where creativity meets constraint and innovation pushes past tradition, Blvcksun is a rising stylist reshaping what it means to dress with intention. Known for a style that’s part artwork, part soul-work, they draw inspiration from color, cartoons, tailoring, and raw self-expression. From painting tees in high school to crafting avant-garde looks for emerging artists, their journey is far from typical—but that’s exactly what makes it stand out.
In this chat with OWN’s Nneka and Soma, Blvcksun opens up about fashion in Nigeria, the limits and freedoms of styling, their favorite (and least favorite) Met Gala 2025 looks, and what it means to be seen in a world that often prefers you stay unseen.
NNEKA: Alright so first of all can you tell us about your brand like Blvcksun
BLVCKSUN: Let me introduce myself.
My name is Gloria Onwuemeli people know me as Blvcksun. It started out as a nickname I gave myself, based on my complexion. I’m the shy person but yh I feel people perceive me even as a stylist so the name fits
NNEKA: What’s it like being a fashion stylist in Nigeria?
BLVCKSUN : Not gonna lie—it has its ups and downs. It’s definitely not easy, especially working with new people every day. Finding clients who understand your creative direction can be tough. I’ve worked with people who won’t even give me a chance to express myself. They just want to stick to what they know. Styling, to me, is like a blank canvas to a painter. What you’re feeling is what you put on the canvas. So when I’m not allowed that freedom, it feels really limiting. But there are good moments too—when a look lands, and the client is satisfied? That’s everything.
NNEKA: Proper. so what inspired the choice of career?
BLVCKSUN: So uhm when I decided to become a stylist, was after I finished school. I tried 9-5 it wasn’t for me. Plus I had always been tailoring, making beads crocheting, basically hand crafts since senior year in secondary school I think SS2. I started painting as well, then started painting on tees and trousers then from then I was like I wanted to switch it up. Plus I had a real big inspiration from one of my colleagues who was already styling and he invited me to his works and I was real impressed. It was so much more that I had thought. And my background as an artist as well I really love arts and to me they’re like the same, They’re all canvas, combining colors. I was assisting him for a while and then I just started doing my own thing. Referrals, basically that pipeline
MMESO: Hi Gloria, lovely to meet you. Let’s talk about the theme of this year’s Met Gala: “Superfine Tailoring.” What was your first reaction?
BLVCKSUN: My immediate thought was—“Suits.” Everything screamed tailored sophistication. I expected bold, structured looks, especially from the men. But then… I saw gowns, florals, and honestly? Some confusion. A lot of male celebrities tried to incorporate femininity into their looks, which isn’t bad at all, but it didn’t always align with the theme. Still, there were some showstoppers. The tailoring was on point for a few, and I can’t lie—I really enjoyed those bits. I even saw ideas I’d love to recreate someday. I’m not saying I want to steal ideas but I saw things that I’d love to recreate.
MMESO: Let’s talk details, where there any that you loved especially.
BLVCKSUN: So based on the theme. I think Teyana Taylor I don’t know about anybody but I loved her the outfits was so good and they actually took risk cause it’s not everyone that can pull that off. Some people wouldn’t have the confidence to pull it off it was so bold so charismatics the accessories the cape omo it was crazy she’s my number one then Zendaya’s outfit I mean it was a fine tailored suit, it just screamed it’s for her so perfect on her plus the all-white, then I don’t know her full name but this model Iman she wore this three suit piece the was so fabulous Coco Jones was lovely and the Lewis Hamilton he was looking so sleek those were my top five.
MMESO:: So the least favorites since we’ve discussed your best looks
BLVCKSUN: Omo but make nobody vex but Ayra come on now
NNEKA: you’ve done her dirty there
BLVCKSUN: No I’m not saying the fit is bad they were so many worse fits I just didn’t expect that especially for her debut look on the met I saw some fit that were hideous but I don’t know them I’m just saying people I know. But Yes Ayra Star, for her debut look it almost felt disappointed. I saw tow linen the materials, it looked rush even her shoes didn’t size and what was even funnier is that the after party look was much better. I was like why did the stylist do her like this like why??!
MMESO:: If you could get the chance to style any celeb for the met gala what would it be?
BLVCKSUN : I mean, Zendaya. Shes this type of person that welcome your idea she’s been working with Law roach for years though she’s my number one she’s like the greatest muse
MMESO: So let’s talk about details in the fits?
BLVCKSUN: There’s this one I saw Katy Perry but it was AI. I was so sad. It was so good the silicone black look but, I’d say the one that Lisa the kpop artist wore these pantyhose and of you looked at it like on the pant it had faces on them, it was actually crazy Teyana Taylor the accessories, the layers the cape, the feather on the hat so much attention to detail,. That’s all and oh how can I forgetPharrel. The pearls on the suit. It was wow, elevated the whole outfit. Speaking on Pharrel many people said him and Rocky under delivered but to me they were elegant and in theme. Simple and sophisticated, plus the tailoring on them and the fits were very masculine.
MMESO: Let’s talk entrances
BLVCKSUN: Our crush
NNEKA: Exactly
BLVCKSUN : Damson! He drove to the met in a race car he was promoting his movie but still what an entrance and I’m surprised most people didn’t talk about it like. Domingo with is cape. And then I’m trying to remember the artist that wore Thomas Browne uhm uhm Janelle Monae. I even forgot add her to my top 5 looks but yes I really loved the entrance and the suits.
Thomas Browne won like top designer during the met. And I expected them for real because basically as a brand they redefine suits in an artistic manner. And Janelle Monae. I don’t know if that’s what comes to her mind but I see her and what she wears and she and her stylists are always playing around with shapes, if she’s not a square shed be icicle or a rectangle. Some sort of shape. The fit was crazy
MMESO: How do you think the met gala theme this year would influence the fashion category in general?
BLVCKSUN: I think that it’s going to elevate black designers and stylists around the world. The met gala and the styles we see there set trends and definitely many other designers would take inspiration from it so yh I feel black designers and stylists would be in more demand and rightly so, so they can showcase more excellence.
MMESO: What your personal style is like and how do you express it through your work
BLVCKSUN: My personal style is just comfort, even if I want do anything I make sure I’m comfortable. So I take the same approach with my clients, as much as I style and have wild ideas I first have to make sure you’re comfortable and I also love colors love combing colors so much. So colors and comfortable as well as looking outstanding. And at the end of the day everyone is happy. I really like talking to the clients firsthand as well, you know some clients communicate through management and all that and I understand but me for one loves to have direct contact and relationship with the client
MMESO: Where do you find inspiration for your styling work?
BLVCKSUN: Ah hm Pinterest o!
NNEKA: too real, great answer I swear
BLVCKSUN :But it’s not only that social media, cartoons I really love cartoons and animations, Its crazy I even learnt color theory from over watching cartoons , my environments music videos, basically what I see what I’m around fashion houses you know people’s work
MMESO: Who’s you favorite Nigerian stylist
BLVCKSUN: It’s funny because I don’t really know stylists like that in in Nigeria. I actually just know mutuals and colleagues that style. If they were international I’d probably say Law Roach
MMESO: Can you tell us about a particular project?
BLVCKSUN :My recent project, ‘Alien Superstar’ by Maradesa. There’s thisproject that involved for Tariq, its one my favorites. He allowed me to be myself, every time we were on set or working on the style. He was like ‘Gloria do your thing…. I trust you’. Very reassuring. I really loved how he allowed me do my thing. But yes those two are my favorites for now, with more on the way soon!