Michael Okunloro | Elevate Your Style

Names are powerful. In Yoruba land where I come from, we don’t joke with names. It’s a belief that a name predicts the future and destiny of a person.

For example, my name is Adebowale, which means “the heir to the throne has returned.” That’s more than just a name — it’s a mindset. I go everywhere and do everything I do with the understanding that one day, I might sit on a throne — either of my forefathers or the one I’m building through my style community. Some people already call me the King of Style.

Coming to England, I’ve heard names that made me wonder if people here hold the same sentiments about names. You hear names like Forest, Green, Bush, Loft, Wood, Gate — it’s wild. But think about it — if someone is called “Failure,” it’s only a matter of time before they start to see themselves as one, even if they’re succeeding.

A name tells a story, and our lives follow the stories we tell ourselves and believe in.

That being said, my stage name XclusiveMic was birthed out of the need to be different. I started my journey as a comedian, and I was one of the few comedians out of Lagos at the time who had a strong sense of style and could communicate without being rude to my audience. That stood me out, and eventually led to the birth of my fashion brand — Twelve19styles.

December 19th is the day my own unique style was birthed. Immaculate. Worth celebrating. Because out of it, more style enthusiasts have been given platforms, and more people have been empowered to embrace their own personal style.

Lately, I’ve been thinking of changing the name from Twelve19styles to just 1219 — something sleeker, simpler. Or maybe I should leave it as it is?

What’s the story behind your nickname?