Tyla talks her style influences, embracing emerging designers and getting free handbags

South African singer-songwriter Tyra has solidified herself in the “girl pop” league over the past few years, quickly becoming one of the hottest names in the genre. She didn’t achieve mainstream fame, like many pop stars, through a long Disney career or appearances on reality TV shows in the 2010s; instead, her fourth single “Water” went viral on TikTok in 2023 Legend, became infamous for their addictive rhythms, liquid choreography, and unique style that accompanied the record.

“When I started seeing everyone in the world making videos and covering my songs, when I saw the impact it had, I was like, ‘No, this is crazy,'” the 22-year-old said. Young told Fashionista “‘Water’ did something crazy… and that’s when I knew I had made it. “

Following the song’s release, Tyla was immediately thrust into the press, performing the afrobeat song everywhere from “The Tonight Show” in the United States to Sweden’s “Bianca Talk Show.” People around the world are enamored not only with her musical talents but also with her array of eye-catching outfits, which are often inspired by her love of the millennial era.

“I loved how powerful pop culture was at the time and how everything felt like ‘wow,'” she said. “I like Britney [Spears] Can wear clothes. She does a lot of random things that feel like a completely different world than the one we live in today. I really like Rihanna’s [early 2000s] Same goes for style.

Tyra designed a uniform for herself that was clearly influenced by the fashion world of the time. Typically, she wears a two-piece, usually with lots of cutouts, a tiny miniskirt, and lots of distressed detailing.

“I’ve always liked what I like, but now that I have more access to things, I’m able to play more,” the artist said. “My style has always been to wear clothes that don’t look perfect. I like things that are a little messy or a little shocking.”

On the cover of the deluxe edition of her self-titled album, Tyra wears a tightly cinched brown mesh bustier: “Even though it’s clean, I like the waist to be pulled very far out so it looks dramatic. I really like wearing things that feel fresh. [how I’ve always felt]but I feel like I’m more mature about it now.

This taste for eccentric clothing comes largely from Tyra’s own design eye when she first started out.

“When I was in South Africa, I didn’t have the money to spend on custom looks. So me and my best friend used to grab a bunch of stuff and tie it all over the place and cut it up just to make Cute performance costumes,” she explained. “I loved it so much that I just wanted to [that look] everywhere. I want to rip the top up or use the top as a skirt. I just think it’s exciting to have clothing function in different ways.

Although Tyla may no longer design her own clothing, she continues to seek out pieces with creative, versatile qualities. She’s currently working with Bose to star in the new “Hear It All. All The Time” campaign video, which showcases the brand’s latest Ultra Open earbuds. Among them, she wore an acid-wash denim suit and changed the usual jeans belt into a halter-neck style. The bleached-out look also features inverted pockets and belt loops as design elements rather than functional components.

Mofada, who designed the look, currently has 1,328 followers on Instagram. So, how does a brand with such a small following gain the attention of a celebrity with a massive (over 9 million) following?

“I work closely with my stylist (Lee Trigg) and I’m always on Pinterest. I come across the cutest outfits by designers no one knows about,” Tyla said. “For me, it’s like a game of finding hidden gems. Now that I’m also able to incorporate more African designers, I feel like those more understated brands fit my vibe best.”

Although she looks to lesser-known designers to wear, Tyla has also worn looks from many well-known fashion houses, such as her custom Balmain by Olivier Rousteing suit at the 2024 Met Gala: “It will always be a favorite,” she said. The sand-covered dress was tailored to her body measurements.

Customized, fitted clothing is a common theme among performers. She mentions another favorite piece of clothing: “I really loved the denim outfit I wore to the VMAs after-party. It was like it fell apart from me,” she recalls of Central Saint Martins design student Ishan You. Customized styling. “I love the feeling of being torn apart by wild animals.”

When Tyra isn’t on stage showcasing emerging designers in risqué outfits, she’s just like the rest of us, choosing to keep her clothes baggy and comfortable.

“When I’m not doing much, I’m pretty simple. I’ll wear pajamas everywhere if I can. I pretty much wear baggy sweatpants and a long-sleeved baggy shirt,” she said. “I love Nike because it’s super comfortable but also hot and looks hot. I also wear a lot of Greedy. It’s a small brand in New York. Even though I’m comfortable, I still like to look fashionable and cool. “

Her campaign with Bose returns to one of her daily styling tips: “If my outfit is particularly bland or nothing special, I like to put on headphones to give it a new feel. Sometimes my headphones die. , but I still wear them as accessories.

In addition to her headphones, which sometimes fail, Tyla also has some key accessories in her daily wardrobe: “I have a Telfar bag that I love. I also have a Versace beach tote. I also have a black Bottega that I carry with me everywhere. Bag. [in photos]”.

But just because she’s now an internationally renowned artist doesn’t mean she’s going to splurge on these luxuries. “One thing about me is that I don’t like spending money on clothes. I’d rather find a way to get it for free than spend a lot of money,” she explains. (Stars, they’re just like us.) “I got all these bags for free.”

Since Tyla has quickly become a well-known figure in the fashion industry, I asked her if she had ever considered returning to her roots and exploring a return to fashion design. “I feel like I’m definitely going to be a part of it. But now, here I am, I’m just playing dress-up.”

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