Uniformity: Mariatu Kargbo, Afro-Chinese Singer

Uniformity is a regular magazine column where we ask Beijing personalities about the various outfits that have defined them over the years.

Known as the “Black Pearl of China” to her millions of Chinese fans, Mariatu Kargbo is also a Guinness World Record holder, former Miss World finalist and Sierra Leone’s Cultural Ambassador at Large. She shared some of her uniformed past with us.

Which uniform was the worst fit?
My school uniform. Because it had to last a long time, it was very big for me at the beginning. Two years later, it was very small and very worn. There was a brief time in the middle when it fit well.

Which uniform do you feel sentimental about?
The dress I wore at the Miss World finals in 2009, which won the award for Best Design. It is a stunning creation: blue, mauve, black and silver, tight at the top and flared at the bottom. It comes with a small coat studded with diamonds. It was by a Lebanese designer who has designed many dresses for Miss China and other celebrities.

Which uniform did you resent wearing the most?
There was a TV station in a small city which made a dress for my performance. They didn’t know, but it had all the features I hate most. It was brown, it was ill-fitting with no shape and it came to just below the knee. I had to wear it, but I would resist fiercely if anyone tried that again. Actually, that reminds me of another incident on a TV show, when the director choreographed a performance that required 15 or 20 singers to dress like street cleaners, with big overalls. We all spend a lot of time and money to look our best for a performance and none of us liked that. Still, we put on a smiling face.

Which uniform did you have the most fun in?
I loved the uniforms we wore for the sports competition at Miss World 2009. White and blue sportswear, basically a tight T-shirt and tight shorts with sneakers. Nowhere to hide. It was fun for me because all 118 finalists had a chance to show their athletic ability.

Which uniform were you the most mocked for wearing?
When I was small, my friends at school laughed at me not just for my uniform, but for my shoes as well. I remember one pair that was borrowed and too big for me and had two holes in the front. They used to call me “Old Granny Shoes” and I used to cry a lot. Thanks for bringing that up.

Maria’s debut album, Thank You China (玛丽亚 谢谢你中国), can be purchased on Taobao and at all good record shops.

Click here to see the November issue of the Beijinger in full.

Photo courtesy of Mariatu Kargbo