Transforming Fashion, Engineering Confidence: Introducing Stylebydamie
Damilola Ibitoye, recognised by the name Stylebydamie on TikTok, holds certification as an image and fashion consultant from the prestigious Italian Fashion School. Hailing from Nigeria, she is a Fashion Stylist and Content Creator specialising in Fashion and Lifestyle, an Entrepreneur, and, by training, a Civil Engineer.
What are the content tips you would offer to other creators?
Love and be passionate about your work, and never stop improving yourself. Change happens rapidly in any industry that you are in, so keep an eye out for trends and make them your own.
What is your favourite TikTok you have made to date and why?
I have several TikTok videos, but I’ll mention two.
The first video I would like to highlight is from the previous Fashion Month titled 'What I'd wear sitting in front row fashion shows'. Besides the sheer enjoyment of creating this content, I was amazed by the engagement it received, making it one of my viral videos to date.
The second video is a gem from 2020 when I started creating TikTok content. It was a tutorial on how to style a Palazzo as a dress in six different ways. What I particularly cherish about this video is the creativity that went into it. I fashioned a backdrop using newspapers; every style showcased in the video was created using the Palazzo. This video garnered a substantial audience and connected me with my fantastic creator manager, Tennie Oyewole, from the TikTok team. It went so viral that I even made sales by selling similar Palazzo pants. I noticed many vendors on other social media platforms using the video (even though it was without my consent, I couldn't help but laugh about it).
What inspires your unique sense of style, and how do you incorporate it into your content?
As a content creator, I draw inspiration from anything and everything, from the colours I see on billboards to the movies I watch on TV and even ideas I encounter on social media. These inspirations motivate me to craft something beautiful and interesting for my audience. Additionally, I find inspiration in the work of fellow fashion creators like @kiitana for her fashion sense and style; @TenickaB for her sense of style and love for colours; and @takunda.k for her fashion sense and unique style interpretation.
What advice would you offer aspiring fashion creators just starting on TikTok?
- Find Your Niche – Identify a specific niche or style you are passionate about in the fashion world. Focusing on a niche will help you stand out and attract a dedicated audience.
- Be inspired and Learn – Find other popular fashion creators on TikTok and learn from them. Study their content, editing techniques, etc., and use what you have learned to refine your approach.
- Create High-Quality Content – Invest in good lighting and an excellent phone to make your videos visually appealing. High-quality content captures the audience's attention better.
- Be authentic and consistent – Be yourself and let your uniqueness shine through in your videos. It's a beautiful feeling to derive value from doing what you love, so stay consistent.
- Collaboration – I find it fun to join forces with other amazing creators, especially those in the same niche, to craft beautiful and unique content to reach or attract new audiences.
How has being a part of TikTok’s community helped you grow and evolve as a fashion creator, and what unique opportunity has it brought to your journey in fashion?
TikTok has been such a great blessing to me as a fashion creator. Through this platform, I have gotten so much exposure and visibility that many people who reach out to me reference my videos that have inspired them. Through TikTok, I have also met other amazing fashion creators who inspire me. In 2021, I was selected to do the SSA Style Live on TikTok for the TTCreatorFest with other South African and Kenyan content creators. This pushed my brand further on a broader scale and presented me with more significant opportunities. Through this platform, I have also gotten a lot of brand partnerships and collaborations. I have worked with many big brands, which has been very rewarding.