“Flyer Than 99%”: Ethiopian Kid Goes Viral After Getting Dubbed the Next Big Thing in Fashion

• A young Ethiopian boy known had global viewers taking notice of his incredibly creative outfit videos
• He styles everything himself using no branded items, yet manages to put together looks that people say belong on a runway
• People from all over the world flooded the comments, saying he is the next big thing in fashion and calling for him to get the right opportunities

A young boy from Ethiopia is taking over social media with fit checks that have left the fashion world completely stunned. Instagram page @the_1of1_ shared photos and a video on 14 April 2026 of the young man who goes by the Instagram handle @kaluputics. They shared the showstopping moments, saying that he is going giga-viral on Instagram and TikTok, where he is wearing mostly what people assume he made himself, with not a single brand name in sight.

What makes the young man stand out is everything around him and how he moves. He films in front of a wall covered in shoes, bags and fashion pieces held up by boards. He stands on a balance board that shifts his weight from side to side as he turns to show off different angles of his outfits. Each video starts with a close-up of a pair of shoes or a clothing item before cutting to him wearing the full look, moving to the music and pulling off dance moves that make the whole thing feel like a mini fashion show.

Read also

Woman scolds ancestors at graveyard in TikTok video

View the Instagram clip here.

People praise the fashionable Ethiopian boy

The comments section on Instagram user @the_1of1_'s clip of Instagram user @kaluputics was full of admiration:

@stylish_steph15 said:

"Don't wanna hear anybody talking about they can't dress the way they want because they're broke. It's not about money, it's about style 🔥🔥"

@nre.24 wrote:

"Imagine what he could do with the right resources 😮"

@blacviar added:

"This proves why imagination is so important. The greatest creators have it."

@comeagainstyle said:

"This young man's vision is crazy. The visuals, the balance board, the colours, the vibe. Everything so dope 🔥🔥🔥"

@fashionstyledetroit wrote:

"So creative, he knows how to use what he has to create looks 🔥🔥"

@thenapministry added:

"Get him to fashion and design school."

@trippple_x joked:

"Balenciaga in the corner like... Wait a minute!!!😂😂😂"

@kallme_q said:

"He's super creative. Wishing young homie nothing but blessings 🔥🔥"

@sfwrunway added:

"Inspiring the young ones 😍"

Read also

"15 years ago I was the CEO of Mxit": Ex-Mxit boss now working in townships to connect SA

@candypaynt said:

"He needs to lock in with wisdom 😍"

@justlikemaish added:

"He's exactly who he thinks he is 🔥"

More fashion stories making waves

• Briefly News recently reported on Rachel John, the influencer linked to Siya Kolisi, who posted a video trying on white dresses that sent the internet into a complete spin over what it could mean.
• Two South African brothers turned a clothing idea into a multimillion rand business, and the part of the story that people found most surprising is how it all started.
• A young woman recreated a Bonang outfit worth R25 000 for under R600 and the side by side comparison had people genuinely struggling to spot the difference.

Source: Briefly News