Expressing through style
Nyagoa James is a fashion stylist who wants to encourage other Black and Sudanese people to explore their creativity. She believes in staying true to what inspires you and fully immersing oneself in your creativity for the best possible outcome.
IG: aogayn
What does being a Black creative mean to you?
I think, specifically, me being a Sudanese creative – that’s what I feel that I like to think about rather than just being a Black creative – it’s opening doors for other people in our community and knowing that we can be a creative bunch, I guess. And yeah, that’s all that would mean for me.
What inspired you to become a stylist?
Honestly, it was kind of forced. I was modeling first for a bit and I think I enjoyed the clothing aspect of it more than I did being in front of the camera. I just feel like I was always at photoshoots and I’d be like oh, I could put that together better. And so, I think just the want to like, do it better a little bit made me want to do it.
Who/what inspires your work?
It’s not one thing, because I feel like inspiration comes from everywhere, whether it’s a book or a friend or maybe political climates. So just kind of anywhere, but specifically if you want to talk about artists that I like or designers that I like, I’m a big McQueen fan, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood I love, but also Schiaparelli. Just a lot of surrealist work.
I don’t know if I’m in a place to give advice, to be honest; I don't think I can give any advice. Honestly just do it, and keep doing it, and do it all the time, and immerse yourself in it. And that’s just kind of being a creative in general – just surround yourself with those people, go to the scenes, do what you guys are doing.
Maybe just believing in the work that you do. I feel like earlier when I was saying that I’m not sure if I’m a stylist or not, it just kind of comes from not being at the caliber that you want to be I guess, if that makes sense.
Kind of like imposter syndrome?
Yeah, a little bit. So just kind of acquainting myself with being serious about work. I think the hard part about being a creative is you don’t want to say you’re a creative until you’re like, up there. So, I think it’s just more personal challenges I’d say.
