A Little Background
My name is Ayo Fashina, (yes, this is my genuine last name). A little about me, my parents were born and raised in Nigeria. I was born in the US. I’m the eldest of 3 sisters. Despite the rich cultural heritage embedded in my ancestry, I confess to feeling regret for not yet setting foot in Nigeria. Surprisingly, my parents, too, have never made the journey back, and the majority of our extended family has settled in the US. But the desire to connect with my heritage has always lived within me. That’s why I’ve finally made the decision to go to Nigeria, later this year. If you have any insider tips on must-see sights or delectable eateries, I’m all ears!
I have been with my husband, Olise, also known as my photographer, for 12 years, but we have been married for 5. I know it’s been a minute, but it’s been a blast… NOT perfect, but I find joy in sharing this life with him. We have our 3-year-old son, who is just ugh… everything and more. I’m a huge Mariah Carey fan, and I can sing just like her… lol, I totally lied, but I definitely try. Hahaha. I’m an entrepreneur in healthcare, but I’m also passionate about mentoring foster girls as they transition out of the system. Back in college, I realized the importance of having someone to talk to, especially for younger girls like me. I relate and learned so much from them. There are some tough times, but it keeps me grounded. While relatability is crucial, I understood that it was just a starting point. Having personally experienced the lack of such support in my adolescent years, I recognized the profound need for it. This drive to fill that void, coupled with my aspiration to run a business in healthcare, I considered my ‘career tank’ full.
My Fashion Journey
My fashion journey began, during my junior year of high school. Forever 21 was my accessory haven, laying the foundation for adding unexpected elements to my looks, that I could afford at the time. After I graduated from high school, I interned for a designer in Washington, DC for a few years while in college studying for my Healthcare degree at The University of Maryland. In my internship experience, I gained raw insight into the creative process, witnessing its evolution from initial concept to polished execution. It helped me really understand the fashion industry, market trends, and the production process. While others at University of Maryland loved their “snazzy” mascot printed campus apparel (no shade) lol, I was naturally the girl that got called out for being overdressed in class & other events. I recall the stares and comments like “She is doing too much….” or “it’s not even that serious“. I took them as compliments and decided to keep my playful rebuttals to myself. Being different from the rest was something I reveled in. After a full day of classes, I would go with my cousins to Georgetown, DC to shop the latest trends and grab dinner at Lauriol Plaza (one of my favorite Mexican spots in the DMV by the way). During my college years, I worked multiple jobs and that’s when I really started building my wardrobe. I created mood boards on Pinterest for inspiration, tore my favorite pages from fashion magazines and taped them to my wall, but most importantly, I learned to shop with purpose.
Sighhh, Those were the days.
The Wake-up Call
Believe it or not, my original dream was to become an actor. Fashion wasn’t part of the plan; I simply enjoyed putting together outfits. One evening, Olise and I were heading home from dinner, he unexpectedly asked, “Why haven’t you thought about starting a fashion page? You always dress so well, and people often seek your advice, whether they’re friends or strangers.” His passion for the idea caught me off guard; it was clear he had pondered this before but never mentioned it to me. Initially, I brushed off his suggestion, claiming I was too busy and if I truly wanted to pursue it, I should have started long ago. I hesitated to respond further. Then, he shared something that struck me: “Whenever I see fashion influencers on Instagram, at fashion weeks, styling others, or giving tips, I think to myself, ‘Ayo could do this.’ This is what would make Ayo happy.” My immediate reaction was to make excuses, doubting whether everyone would appreciate my style. His tone shifted, expressing frustration at how confident I was in my career but hesitant about pursuing my passion. We debated for a while, with me offering every excuse I could muster, until finally, I relented and agreed to give it a try. The greatest barrier I’ve faced in pursuing a more fulfilling life is the fear of the unknown. Yet, I’ve come to understand that embracing discomfort and taking action, even in the face of fear, can propel me toward my true purpose.
However, Mr. Spontaneous wasn’t about to give up easily. He immediately inquired about the date of the next fashion week. To my surprise, it was happening the same month (February 2023) we were having this conversation. He insisted, ‘We have to go.’ I protested, ‘But now? I’m not ready… no plans, no outfits… and I need invitations to the shows. I’ll just end up wasting my time.’ Yet, he remained firm, urging me, ‘This is your chance to network and prepare for the next one… please, just trust me.’ Despite my hesitations, something inside me compelled me to agree, with the condition that we wouldn’t stay the entire week due to our work commitments.
Together, we took a daring leap, both stepping away from our jobs for three days. From that moment on, everything changed. During the journey to New York, I taught Olise the basics of photography, and he seamlessly transitioned into the role of my photographer and scheduler. As we ventured into the heart of the fashion capital, I reached out to my cousin, a seasoned stylist in NYC. Her wealth of knowledge about fashion week proved invaluable, offering insights into what to expect and how to navigate the event. Thanks to her connections, I secured invitations to three presentations. Fashion Week served as a catalyst, transforming my casual interest in fashion into a serious pursuit. Since then, I’ve collaborated with a few brands and carved out a niche to express my unique sense of style.
The Plan
Taking that leap of faith, trusting my instincts, and relentlessly pursuing my envisioned life marked the next chapter. I understand it’s a journey that will unfold over time, but the lessons learned have been invaluable. Following my debut at fashion week, I eagerly began sharing looks crafted from my own wardrobe, and the enthusiastic engagement from my newfound followers on my Instagram page was incredibly motivating. Over the past year, I’ve reveled in the joy of recreating runway and street-style inspirations using items already in my possession.
Through this process, I aim to inspire others to curate their closets thoughtfully, emphasizing the importance of accessorizing and offering shopping guidance. Additionally, I’m excited to offer glimpses into my world through behind-the-scenes content and vlogs documenting my adventures. My hope is that this journey will provide my tribe with a deeper understanding of how to truly connect with their personal style and feel confident doing so. Currently, I’m in the midst of revamping this site, launching my YouTube channel (subscribe here), and continuing to pursue my creative endeavors. In the meantime, feel free to connect with me on my social platforms! I look forward to sharing more with you soon and thank you for joining me on this journey 🙂
To my fellow content creators, it’s important to remember that perfection isn’t a requirement to begin. Here are a few resources, as some of you have asked.
Enjoy!
8 Responses
YOURS STYLE IS UNMATCHED! You can tell you pay attention to what pieces work and what doesn’t. SO happy I found you.
Wow! I loved reading about your background. You are a style Genius and kudos to your husband for insisting!! 🙌🏿 he is a Gem. Detty December would be so much fun.
Thank you so much! I truly appreciate that. I have heard and seen so much about December, I can’t wait, it looks so lit!
I have been following since your page since your started last year and can’t beleive how inspiring you are. Enjoying following your journey.
Been waiting to know more about you, this is so insightful and makes sense now! I was in foster care so those girls are blessed they have you in their lives, people don’t realize how much we need someone like you.
Your husband is soooo supportive! you are a lucky gallll! Yall are perfect for each other. Balance!
Hi Ayo, Never knew you were in healthcare too, I thought you created full time. Not sure how you do it all but good job! A great read.
Hello, Im new to your page, are you going to do you YouTube soon? I love watching your behind the scenes.