Hey guys!
Happy Friday, I hope you all had a great week.
Today I’m launching a new category on the blog and I’m so excited to share it with everyone. It’s called “BLACK GIRL MAGIC”.
For black queens of every shade.
Inspired by Nigerian women but dedicated to every black woman.
“Dipped In Chocolate, Bronzed In Elegance, Enameled With Grace, Toasted With Beauty, My Lord, She’s A Black Woman.
-Dr Yosef Ben-Jochannan.
To launch the category, we have with us a Stylist, Model, Fashion and Lifestyle blogger who I interviewed on “Black Girl and Style On a Budget“.
How do you look good without destroying your savings account?
There’s so much to learn. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed writing.
Dupe: Welcome to Dupe’s Blog ma’am. We’re so glad to have you. Can we meet you?
Styleby.lola: Thank you for having me. I’m Lola Odutokun, of Styleby.lola and BeannieBeannie.
Dupe: Tell us a little about yourself.
Styleby.lola: Absolutely, I’m the last of four girls, born on the 18th day of March.
I just graduated from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria where I studied Graphics Design.
I have always had a passion for art and fashion and I like to believe I possess my flair for art from my Late Dad who was a fine artist.
I am a stylist, a graphic designer, a photographer, an interior designer and lastly and entrepreneur.
Dupe: Wow!
That’s beautiful.
It’s an honor to have you launch the category “Black Girl Magic” on the Blog.
Can you tell us one unique thing you love about being a black girl?
Styleby.lola: The honor is mine really.
I’ll give you more than one 😉.
A couple of qualities I absolutely love about being a black girl is not having to be afraid to be my true self. I believe the true beauty of a black girl majorly dwells in her self confidence and her ability to hold her head up high and stay true to her roots in whatever situation she is faced with.
Being black is a blessing ❤.
Dupe: Profound! What or Who is your number one fashion inspiration?
Styleby.lola: Gabrielle Bonheur who most people know as “Coco” Chanel. She’s not black though, *laughs*.
Dupe: *laughs* No problem. As long as she inspires you.
Do you believe in going with trends or going with your own style?
Styleby.lola: Well, I’m a bit open minded when it comes to trends really.
I’m not one to strictly follow trends, honestly I find it extremely exhausting, *laughs*.
If there’s an outfit or accessory that’s trending, and I absolutely love it, then I go for it, otherwise I don’t bother.
For me to follow a trend, I think I have to like it 150%.
Dupe: How would you describe your personal style?
Styleby.lola: Effortlessly chic and comfortable.
Dupe: I like that 😍.
Styleby.lola: Thank you 😘.
Dupe: What’s your favorite fashion piece?
Styleby.lola: Yooo!!! , my sunglasses.. 😎, I literally can’t think straight if I leave home without them. As we speak I just ordered 2 frames 😎.
Dupe: Awwww 😊.
Do you have strict rules for your style or you’re limitless?
Styleby.lola: I think when it comes to rules for me it would have to revolve around almost total nudity.
There’s a level of skin I can show, and would not show.
Limitless, naahhhh, I’m a bit conservative so I wouldn’t opt for that.
Dupe: Great…
Considering that you’re all about fashion, do you always spend huge amounts when you go shopping?
Styleby.lola: Huge will be an understatement, but really not always…
There are times I don’t spend a lot on outfits.
Dupe: How would you advice a black girl who’s trying to save money and look good at the same time?
Styleby.lola: Ok… Well, one thing is for sure.
Fashion costs money.
But I think people are starting to embrace the fact that thrifting is not a terrible thing.
So In order to save costs, one can thrift, as well as making your own clothes if you have that ability.
There was a time I really wanted a tye dye shirt, but didn’t have the money at the time to get one, so I looked up online how to tye dye.
And I made a blue tye dye shirt.
Dupe: That’s amazing. So basically, you’re saying in as much fashion costs money, it is still possible to wear nice clothes without breaking the bank?
Styleby.lola: Yes absolutely, it is.
Dupe: Can you expatiate on thrifting.
Styleby.lola: Thrifting otherwise known as second New, or second hand, well 9ja would say bend down select 😂…. But social media has made it possible to not literally “bend down “, there are so many online thrift stores these days, owned by really stylish people and you’ll be surprised at the amount of celebrities and influencers who shop on them.
This is what I meant by people starting to embrace thrifting.
Dupe: Wow. That’s beautiful! Subscribing to thrifting will be financial freedom to many ladies.
Styleby.lola: Absolutely I believe it will.
Dupe: How do you piece your fashion items together, does it have to be new clothes and shoes all the time for each picture or post?
Styleby.lola: Not necessarily, but for me most of the time that’s the case especially with clothes, I’m not really a shoe person.
But yea, most times to keep it more exciting I go with new.
Also there’s just something about wearing new clothes that makes a lady feel soooo good about her self, it really is a confidence booster. There’s also absolutely nothing wrong with repeating outfits, as long as you style them properly.
Dupe: Wow! Thank you so much for your time. It was really an enlightening time.
Styleby.lola: Thank you for having me, it’s been a great time.
Dupe: Where can you be found on social media?
Styleby.lola: Style page –@Styleby.lola and Business page @beanniebeannie_
Dupe: Thank you!
Styleby.lola: Thanks Dupe xoxo ♥
Thanks for reading ❤.
What methods do you employ to spend less on looking good?
Leave comments below!