Tyla on Her Style Influences, Embracing Emerging Designers and Getting Free Handbags

South African singer and songwriter Tyla has solidified her spot in the exclusive “pop girl” league over the past few years, rapidly becoming one of the buzziest names in the genre. She didn’t rise to mainstream fame through a long Disney career or a stint on a 2010s reality show like so many fellow pop stars; rather, she gained notoriety after her fourth-ever single “Water” went viral on TikTok in 2023 for its addictive rhythm, her liquid-like choreography and her unique style that accompanied the record.

“When I started seeing everybody in the world make videos to my song and make covers, when I saw how far it reached, I was like, ‘Nah, this is crazy,” the 22-year-old tells Fashionista. “‘Water’ did something insane…that’s when I knew I made it.”

With the release of that track, Tyla was immediately thrust onto the press circuit, performing the Afrobeats song everywhere from “The Tonight Show” in the U.S. to the “Bianca Talk Show” in Sweden. People around the world became infatuated not just with her musicality, but also with her lineup of showstopping outfits, often inspired by her love of the Y2K era.

“I love how strong pop culture was back then and how everything just felt like, ‘Wow,'” she says. “I love how Britney [Spears] would dress. She would do a lot of random stuff that felt like a completely different world from the one we’re in today. I really like Rihanna’s [early 2000s] style, too.”

Tyla has developed a uniform of sorts for herself, visibly influenced by that time in fashion. Typically, she’s seen in a two-piece set, usually featuring lots of cutouts, micro mini skirts and plenty of distressed details. 

“I’ve always liked what I’ve liked, but now that I have more access to things, I’m able to play more,” says the artist. “My vibe has always been to wear things that don’t look too perfect. I like a bit of messiness or something a bit shocking.”

On the cover of the deluxe edition of her self-titled album, Tyla wears a tightly cinched brown mesh corset: “Even though it’s clean and everything, I love that the waist is pulled so far in, so it looks dramatic. I really like wearing things that feel fresh. That’s [how I’ve always felt], but I feel like now I’m more mature with it.”

That taste for eccentricity in clothing mostly came from Tyla’s very own eye for design back when she was starting out.

“When I was still coming up in South Africa, I didn’t have money to spend on custom looks. So me and my best friend used to grab a bunch of things and tie it everywhere and cut them up just to make a cute performance outfit,” she explains. “I loved it so much that I just wanted [that look] everywhere. I wanted to be ripped up or use a top as a skirt. I just find it exciting making clothing work in different ways.”

Though she may not be designing the garments herself anymore, Tyla continues to seek out pieces that have a creatively versatile quality. She’s currently partnering with Bose, starring in a video for the new “Hear It All. All The Time” campaign featuring the brand’s latest Ultra Open Earbud launch. In it, she wears an acid-washed denim set where what’s typically the waistband of a jean is instead fashioned into a halterneck closure. The bleached look also features inside-out pockets and belt loops as design elements as opposed to functional components.

The designer behind the look, Mofada, currently has 1,328 followers on Instagram. So, how does a brand with such a small following get noticed by a celebrity with a massive (over 9 million) one?

“I work closely with my stylist (Lee Trigg) and I’m also always on Pinterest. I come across the cutest clothing from designers that nobody knows,” Tyla says. “It’s like a game to me to find hidden gems. Now, I’m able to incorporate more African designers too, and I feel like those low-key brands are the ones that fit my vibe the most.”

Despite searching for lesser-known designers to wear, Tyla has also worn a number of looks by more established fashion houses, like her custom Balmain by Olivier Rousteing ensemble at the 2024 Met Gala: “That will always be a favorite,” she says. The sand-covered dress was molded to fit the exact dimensions of her body.

Custom, form-fitting garments are a common theme for the performer. She calls out another favorite: “I’m really loving the denim outfit I wore for the VMAs after party. It was like disintegrating off of me,” she recalls of the custom look by Ishan You, a current design student at Central Saint Martins. “I love feeling like I’ve been ripped up by a wild animal.”

When she’s not on the stage spotlighting emerging designers in risqué looks, Tyla is just like the rest of us, opting to keep things baggy and cozy.

“I’m very simple when I’m not doing much. I would wear pajamas everywhere if I could. I pretty much wear baggy sweatpants and long-sleeved baggy shirts,” she says. “I like Nike, because it’s super cozy but it’s also hot, it looks fire. I’ve also been wearing a lot of Greedy. It’s a small brand here in New York. Even when I am comfortable, I still like to look fashionable and cool.”

Her campaign with Bose circles back to one of her everyday styling tricks: “If my outfit is especially bland or not much is going on, I like to put headphones on to give it a new vibe. Sometimes my headphones will be dead, but I’m still wearing them like an accessory.”

Beyond her sometimes-dead headphones, there are a few key accessories that are staples in Tyla’s daily wardrobe: “I have a Telfar bag that I love. I also have a Versace beach tote bag. And I have a black Bottega bag that I carry every single day. I’m sure people have seen it [in photos].”

Just because she’s now an internationally acclaimed artist doesn’t mean she’s splurging on these luxury items left and right, though. “One thing about me is 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 those bags for free.”

Since Tyla has quickly become a celebrated figure within the fashion community, I ask her if she’d ever consider going back to her roots and exploring a return to fashion design. “I feel like I’m definitely going to get into it down the line. But right now, I’m here and I’m just playing dress up.”

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Source: Fashionista.com