Fashion Diaries
Few years ago, I met this amazing ‘Banker’ on the plane to England. She was pleasant, very warm and helpful, we spoke about everything that day. Few months down, I start seeing pictures of her all over the internet, and was everyone talking about her, wait a minute, isn’t this Toyosi the Banker? Well, not anymore. Alas she had become
what she should have been. Apparently, she left the bank, moved to New York City and obtained a diploma in Broadcast Journalism from the New York Film Academy. Shortly after graduation, ‘The Gist with Toyosi Phillips’ was launched. It ran for two seasons with a total of 34 episodes. She’s currently at the New York Film Academy, this time studying towards a diploma in Producing- encompassing Movie Production, Music Video Production, Reality TV Show Production and Advertisements Production. She’s a member of the New York Women in Film and TV Association and the National Association of Black Journalists; Toyosi is one strong, determined young
woman. I just had to catch up with her on her fashion and style.
Who is Toyosi Phillips? Toyosi Phillips is a presenter, budding TV & Film producer, writer, all round media personality and Sickle Cell Advocate. My passions… I love Jesus, I love life, I also love traveling, keeping up with entertainment news, reading best sellers and African Fiction… I love many things. What does style mean to you? Style is showing on the outside what’s really on the inside. It’s a combination of your entire look and your persona.
Favorite colour? Orange
Beauty secret? I drink lots of water and I always wear a smile.
Best Perfume? Hermés Elixir des Merveilles! I feel like I can walk into the White House or Palais de l’Élysée or even 10 Downing Street without being turned back once I wear this perfume. It smells so rich! What items do you have most? This is really weird but I have loads of branded t-shirts from the weirdest of places! Countries, gyms, store
give-aways… I’m slowly
becoming a t-shirt junkie.
Cannot go a day without? Gist!
In a relationship? Yep! Lots of
relationships.
You cannot be caught wearing?
Wedges! Most expensive items in your wardrobe? My Bags!
Best designer? Tory Burch- The woman herself and what she stands for. Her Foundation for women entrepreneurs is changing lives! There’s an Education program, a Fellows program and a Capital program and all these programs are doing amazing things for women! Seriously look up Tory Burch Foundation.
Style icon? Jennifer Lopez. I’d love to be her best friend or aburo.
Fears? “Keep your fears to yourself, but share your courage with others.”Robert Louis Stevenson (author of treasure Island). People tend tosometimes unconsciously- look at others differently when they know
their fears. What don’t people know about you? I’m part-recluse.
Do you see yourself as
fashionable or stylish? I’d like to think a little of both. I follow trends sometimes and I do me sometimes.
What’s your favourite saying?
Things always fall into place.
Worst fashion moment? So, years and years ago, my mom was working in West Asia and said she would send clothes, shoes and stuff to me in Nigeria. One lovely Saturday afternoon, my dad dressed me up in this beautiful 2-piece set for my friend’s birthday party. We got to the venue and were told we had the dates mixed up and the party was the following Saturday. We ran into an aunt as we got back home and the look of shock and amusement on her face when we told her I was coming from a birthday party was unforgettable! What my dad thought was a fancy 2-piece set was actually a pyjama set!