Today we’d like to introduce you to Voke Onoriose.
Hi Voke, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I first founded Voke Vogue Stylin’ in 2021 amid COVID. It was my first year in university, and I had the idea when I realized I wanted to have something that allowed me to express myself creatively. I’ve always been known as someone who has a sense of style. I always wear something nice, even if it is just to the grocery store, because fashion is what I use to express myself. I always get compliments on my outfits. Whether I am watching runway shows, listening to interviews and podcasts, or reading magazines, I stay up to date with everything related to fashion.
I adopted my personal style, and that allowed me to gain attention through my outfits. I founded VV Stylin’ but spent most of my time modeling. I was involved in Dallas’s modeling scene by doing several photoshoots and fashion shows. This allowed me to network and meet creatives in the city. I met a few designers, photographers, and other creatives that I think have inspired me to create. The shift to focusing on styling came when my friends would ask me about my opinions on their outfits. I think what has helped me the most and what will continue to support is networking. Meeting other creatives not only keeps me inspired, it brings me one step closer to my biggest dreams.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Throughout my journey of becoming a stylist, I struggled with comparing myself to established stylists. This prevented me from wanting to create and show my visions to the world. Not because I didn’t think I produced quality but because I pondered whether anyone cared about my work when there were other stylists. The shift to believing in my craft came after the loss of my dad. My father passed away a day after my birthday a couple of months ago (October 3rd). Throughout my grieving process, I have turned to my brand. VV Stylin’ became the rehabilitation to my life. I was motivated to work harder on my brand because I wanted to leave something behind. I came from a very loving and supportive family. I am fortunate and blessed to have grown up safe and secure, not dealing with a lot of trauma or stress. But the most uncomfortable thing I have ever experienced was the passing of my dad. I have been trying my best to turn this tragedy into something beautiful. VV Stylin’ has been healing me and providing me with purpose.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
For as early as I can remember, I started my creative journey as a model. At the start of this journey, I worked with many photographers who helped me grow my portfolio and capture my personal style. I used to do a lot of the fashion shows around Dallas until I realized I wanted to pivot my path toward fashion styling. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations, and I use this degree now to support those tasks as a stylist.
From all the internal and external factors that should be considered when providing services, I can operate with the aid of my educational background. From building my website, getting exposed to media, and bringing attention to VV Stylin’ within the public eye through social media, I do this strategically. I make fashion comfortable and convenient. I am known for my versatile approach and for paying attention to little details. My style is androgynous because I make it hybrid. I also wear many different styles: girly, street classy, preppy, tomboyish, etc. The versatility of my outfits contributes to the success of my styling. Upon looking at my portfolio, I am skilled with styling both men and women, and I think my personal style allows me to be good at working with both genders. I am known for adding small details to outfits because it is what makes the biggest difference.
What sets me apart from others is my uniqueness. I’ve referred to myself as the gem before I founded VV Stylin’ for how rare I think I am. Later I realized the irony behind that the abbreviations for Voke Vogue Stylin’ is VVS. VVS is considered one of the highest qualities of a diamond. This served as confirmation of how special what I am creating is. I am proud that I turned the pain of losing my dad into the power of my brand.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I would like to give most of the credit to both my mom and dad for their tremendous support of my vision. Being a creative and Nigerian can be considered uncommon. Most African parents want their children to pursue something more reliable and stable. But my parents always knew I was unique and allowed me to explore a creative journey. They believed in me before I believed in myself. They let me explore my interest in public relations, modeling, and now styling, and this alone gives me the confidence to keep going. Behind my parents is my best friend, Nila. As a creative and entrepreneur herself, she understands how I feel a lot of the time. Since the loss of my father, there have been so many times I’ve asked her what is the point of working on VV Stylin’. She always speaks so much life into when I’m feeling hopeless. My closest friends have been my biggest support because they tell me they see my vision crystal clear. My friend Christiana and her prayers over my life and passion shouldn’t go unnoticed either.
In addition to my parent’s support, I’ve worked with plenty of photographers in the past as a model (too many to attribute to). I believe that this exposed me to meeting more creative individuals in the industry at an early age. These photographers helped me capture my personal style first before I knew I wanted to style people. They continue to be there for me now by helping me shoot for VVS.
I call myself the gem because I believe I am a hidden talent. Though, I would like to give credit to people who support me and see my vision as well. I come across people who tell me they see the work that I am doing and have been killing it. They tell me to just keep going, and my work will be exposed to the right people. Even people that I do not know who compliment an outfit I wear on a normal day also deserve credit because it’s one thing to have the thought, and it is another to express it verbally. A compliment on an outfit as a stylist can make my whole day!!!
Pricing:
- Show Stopper Stylin’ Package (1 look) $30
- Simplistic Stylin’ Package (3 looks) $45
- Signature Stylin’ Package (5 looks) $70
- StarStudded Stylin’ Package (7 looks) $100
Contact Info:
- Website: www.vvstylin.com
- Instagram: @vvstylin & @vokethegem
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/vokeonoriose
- Youtube: Voke the Gem
- Other: voke.myportfolio.com
Image Credits
Darrel Antone
Jordan Wright
Voke Onoriose
