Black History Month: Influencer Highlight

Black History Month is a time to reflect on the experiences and accomplishments of the Black community. As part of our celebration of Black History Month, we are highlighting the creative and vital Black influencers within our ModeSens Community. The following is a list of five inspirational African American fashion influencers and their influence within the fashion industry. 

ModeSens Influencer: AyoFashina

About Ayo: Ayo Fashina loves helping others discover statement-making looks. A firm believer in the power of the high-low mix, this Maryland native, wife, and mother-of-one is drawn to sleek, bold pieces that reflect her sparkling personality. Despite starting a career in healthcare, Ayo always felt drawn to the world of fashion and the uplifting power of a great look. Despite her now-confident sense of style, she was once too introverted to fully express herself through clothes—celebrating her uniqueness took time. But as she grew in confidence, so too did her desire to debunk the myth that true luxury belongs to high-end society. And so her website was born. Ayo focuses on encouraging others to discover their feel-good style without breaking the bank. From bold, artful looks to rich textures and well-placed accessories, discover Ayo's unique aesthetic by following her ModeSens closet, here.

ModeSens Influencer: LashawnaMoore

About Lashawna: Style arbiter LaShawna Moore inherited her love of clothes from her mother, father, grandmother, and aunts. As a child growing up in a fashion-forward family—where Elle, Vogue, and Mademoiselle peppered the home—LaShawna grew up sketching her designs from an early age. Her talent became apparent in High-School when she won a national art competition for a mixed media work titled "Innocent Africa" which landed in the US Capitol and was gazed upon by political leaders and guests for the year it hung there. Soon after, she received an art scholarship to Towson University, where she further developed her passion. Now, with a flair for artistic style and a strong sense of community, LaShawna enjoys helping others discover their looks. Through her styling and influencer platform, "What To Wear Here And There", LaShawna pays tribute to the stylish accomplishments of André Leon Talley, Virgil Abloh, Willi Smith, Tracy Reese, and Ann Lowe. Discover her style by following her ModeSens closet, here.

ModeSens Influencer: SoChicChris

About Christen: With her keen eye for detail and savvy-shopping tricks, Christen Johnson is the definition of a style expert. After becoming a personal stylist in 2014, she’s honed a signature look that’s so classic, sophisticated, and chic, it has landed her gigs with Nordstrom, Under Armour, and Rue LaLa. Citing Issa Rae, Yara Shahidi, and Kahlana Bartfield-Brown as inspirations, Christen is most passionate about helping women step into their position with power and style. Alongside her day job, she has built a thriving community titled Black Women Who Style, which equips stylists of color with the proper tools, connections, and skills to successfully navigate the industry. Christen also launched Project Style University, which coaches personal stylists in scaling their businesses and guides them in creating a virtual and in-person hybrid presence, to increase their impact and profit. In short, she's a true inspiration. Discover her style by following her ModeSens closet, here.

ModeSens Influencer: LifestyleWithOla

About Ola: What started as a passion for dressing up as a child, has since turned into a lucrative side hustle as a ModeSens influencer. Lawyer by day, stylist, and content creator by night, Ola Ayokunle’s closet exclude the type of vibrancy many can only dream of. A mix of corporate with a twist, and sometimes, edgy with flair, her inspiration comes from the art she surrounds herself with. She loves the beauty and energy found in the work of African artists and always tries to incorporate them into her outfits. Discover her style by following her ModeSens closet, here.

ModeSens Influencer: StyledByKemi

About Kemi: Personal stylist and digital creator, Kemi Ajibare describes her style as casual and chic, with a little bit of an edge. While she likes to keep things simple, Kemi always ensures her personality shines through each outfit. Inspired by rich textures and cool silhouettes, her style muses include Tracee Ellis Ross, Solange Knowles, and a few random people on Pinterest. Kemi's ultimate style goal is to prove true style doesn't need to be complicated—and starting with the tips, tricks, and trends she shares on her platform, Kemi’s already on her way to proving just that. Discover her style by following her ModeSens closet, here.