FEATURE FRIDAY!

Creative of the Week: Tokyo Corleone

IG: @tokyocorleone

Hey guys, I'm back with Feature Friday (skipped out last Friday) and I'm here to discuss a very talented friend of mine. This gal has dipped into many fields in the creative industry such as photography, styling, image consulting and more. I truly value this girl and am super happy to have met her. I want to introduce you all to my dear friend Tokyo!

Interview

Me: "Hi babe! Please tell us your name, age, ethnicity, where you were born, where you live."

Tok: "I go by Tokyo Corleone, I'm 23 (24 today so wish me a happy birthday mfs). Ethnicity: that nigga, I'm from South side Jamaica Queens, currently living here."

Me: "Happy birthday my love. It's Libra season!! You know I got a love/hate relationship with yall. But anyways! Let's get into the fun stuff. So Tok, as a creative (being a stylist, consultant, creative direction and photographer) what is your favorite outlet?"

Tok: "Honestly creative directing because it involves all of it. I get to decide how I want things to look, where I want it to take place, how I want the models to express themselves during the process of shooting. I prefer to be called an artist rather than a creative. I feel people confuse the two. Artist provoke emotion and innovation; creatives is more of an on the spot thing, not really conveying emotion but creating whats happening now, rather than what you feel (its a popularity contest)."

Me: "What are some of your favorite brands / designers?"

Tok: Let's start from Avant Garde. I categorize my faves by who they cater to. Vivienne Westwood, Rei Kawakubo, Junya Wutanabe, Jun Takahashi, Maison Margiela, Rick Owens,  Issey Miyake, Raf Simons. If we're getting into Black designers: Kerby Jean Raymond (Pyer Moss), Pharell , Jerry Lorenzo, Mowalola, Shayne Oliver, Samuel Ross. They all stand for something and in a way broke a barrier in fashion. They changed style, whether it be distressing, cutting and sewing... they speak to a specific social class: grungy, underdog, the most misunderstood."

Me: " I definitely can see why these are some of your faves. You embody these designers through your everyday looks and persona. How would you describe your own style & aesthetic?"

Tok: "I'd say anti fashion. I like to take trends that I do like & do shit with it that people may not like. I'm more on the anti fashion side of things."

Me: "That totally makes sense for you. You really do inspire me to stay in my creative lane through your style and knowledge in fashion. You're the first person I call to confirm a big purchase or when I'm unsure; you truly are an icon in the making. So Tok, as a creative who is passionate about clothing and what you wear, what is your favorite part about self expression through clothing?"

Tok: "Being able to make one of one looks, expressing how I feel that day about what's going in the world. Right now I'm wearing a hoodie by 424; the american flag is incorporated with a chapel in Detroit that was destroyed and has yet to be rebuilt. There's always a message behind my outfits. Even my jeans are reconstructed to represent the destruction in america."

Me: "See, that's so unique yet informative. Not many people, including myself would know that. I love how your outfits can express a story. That's beautiful. So my next question, what does style mean to you?"

Tok: "Freedom, there's no rules to styles, its whatever the fuck you want it to be, nobody can tell you what to do with this fashion shit. Fashion is a fad within itself that steals from people with actual style."

Me: "Why did you get into photography? What are some of your favorite things you captured on camera?"

Tok: "One of the reasons is because of my uncle, he started to do it after he retired from the MTA. Another reason is because I love capturing memories. I didn't do it for fashion at first bit then I realized I can incorporate the natural movements of models and use those moments as well. The following 3 pictures are my favorites because I like vintage grainy, editorial style portraits. These were some of the few that have always stood out to me. This is work I always go back to for motivation as well as inspiration."

Me: "Do you plan on making a career out of photography or is it just a favorable hobby?"

Tok: "I plan on making a career on everything i fucking do. i wasn't born these natural born gifts for a reason, i had to get it on my own & ima do what I can do with it. That's what I'm on this earth to do."

Me: So this question I ask all my interviewees... what is your favorite feature about yourself? Why?"

Tok: "My eyebrows! they really shape my face, I look like a completely diff person if I get them done or if I don't. And girls love em so why the fuck not, I love em too!"

Me: Yes it's the eyebrows for me too. They deff add dimension to your face!! So lastly, my Toki, if you can leave the people with any words of encouragement, what would it be?"

Tok: "Fuck what everybody doing on Instagram, respectfully. that shit is just IG. Don't get discouraged because you feel like your Instagram isn't poppin' & you feel like you have to conform to style you see that doesn't fit how you feel. Dress how you feel, do what you feel. Just be human and live life."

*end of interview*

Well guys, I hope you all learned a lil' something from my friend Tok. She is truly a fashion inspiration to me. I go to her for advice or just to share my excitement with an outfit concept I create. She is going to achieve so many great things in every field she goes down. Go and wish her a happy birthday today as well!! I'll talk to you guys soon, <3