3 Stylish Tastemakers On Self-Expression And The Joys Of Dressing Up
To mark Pride month, three stylish tastemakers talk to KARA KIA about using clothes to connect to your most confident self – from how to wear color and put together a contemporary tailored look to styling directional Y2K pieces like a pro
Sportswear and tailoring: Ayishat Akanbi, stylist and writer
“Once I recognized that hyper-feminine looks weren’t quite my style, I was drawn towards androgyny. As a teenager, I needed to express myself in a way that would quieten whispers about my sexuality, which is when I saw admiration as the greatest form of acceptance and decided to be a source of inspiration rather than a target for ridicule. For me, having fun with style can be the difference between wanting to leave the house or not, and how you carry yourself when you’re out there.
“I'm obsessed with high-waisted wide-leg pants, especially in the summer. It’s such a dramatic, nostalgic, timeless, breezy look, especially when paired with something simple like a white shirt and neutral accessories. Summer is the best time to bring out my statement hats, too. I like bucket hats, vintage baseball caps, knitted berets, crochet hats and cowboy hats. My biggest inspirations come from French workwear, British heritage brands, American vintage sportswear, streetwear, ’70s silhouettes, ’50s tailoring, Americana, Rastafarianism, preppy looks, a dash of Afrocentricity, and grunge.
“Wales Bonner’s fusion of European heritage and Afro-Atlantic brings to mind the films, music and TV I grew up with. I love the brand’s use of earthy tones and ’70s style – it’s pure streetwear luxe. I also love pieces by Tolu Coker. Knowing her personally, I’ve seen how much work she has put into the brand to be where she currently is. She also once took a photo of me that was later printed on one of the brand’s designs, so, naturally, she’s a favorite designer! The Frankie Shop is also a must-have for its expertly tailored pieces at a reasonable price point.”
“I make a conscious effort to restyle and upcycle my clothes to practice sustainability and maximise the longevity of each piece in my closet
”Rylé Tuvierra
Statement color: Rylé Tuvierra, content creator and consultant
“My go-to pieces are bold, chunky accessories, like oversized vintage clip-on earrings, layered gold necklaces and gold rings. When styling statement colors, my best advice is to find the shades that complement your skin tone – I have a warm skin tone, so I always look for gold and jewel tones. From there, try to play around with different details, prints, textures and hues.
“I’m loving cargo pants with lots of pockets this season, plus grunge-inspired skirts and dramatic flowy dresses with long trains in bright colors. I adore Nensi Dojaka, Alex Perry and Jil Sander’s collections – they are all refreshing and not afraid to experiment. Magda Butrym is also top of the list for the romantic floral pieces that make you feel glamorous. Finally, Alaïa by Pieter Mulier offers the perfect balance of sophistication, dynamism and elegance. Also, I make a conscious effort to restyle and upcycle my clothes to practice sustainability and maximize the longevity of each piece in my closet.
“For beauty, I love Dr. Barbara Sturm for anti-aging and sun-protection products; 111Skin for masks, which are especially handy when I am traveling, as they make my skin glow and feel hydrated; and U Beauty is my new favorite – its products are great for delivering a moisture boost and subtle plumping effect. Lastly, [I love] Tata Harper products – I use them in my daily routine to keep my skin ready for important events and meetings.”
’90s and ’00s-inspired: Nara Kim, stylist
“I’m into a slightly dystopian darkness when it comes to my personal style. I used to enjoy colorful pieces when I was younger, but these days I much prefer wearing an achromatic palette,” she says. “To achieve the ’90s/Y2K-inspired look, I focus on belts and other key accessories. Because of my small frame, I wear and collect a lot of belts, and I’m always on the lookout for the next gorgeous addition to my collection.
“This summer, I’m styling mix-matched lace, lingerie-inspired pieces with hoodies, and pieces in vintage-wash colors. I’m currently loving elements of balletcore, too, and how that’s a style that has evolved from the Y2K aesthetic, but with a dark and vintage undertone instead of it being on the kitsch side.
“I love brands that are minimal and elegant, like Khaite, Proenza Schouler, Nensi Dojaka and Saint Laurent. When it comes to beauty, I’m drawn to brands with considered images, narratives and messages – Byredo and Hourglass are two of my favorites.”