Today’s podcast guest is Chani Ra, also known by her TikTok username, ‘The Fashion Nap’, because she started making videos during her newborn’s nap time. Now her child is three, and Chani has become one of fashion’s favourite social media stars. Her upbeat, highly researched takes cover everything from overlooked supermodels of yesteryear, forgotten fashion beef, and how to emulate the core ingredients of your favourite style icons.
In this episode, I sit down with Chani to talk through five items of clothing that chart her life and career in fashion. We discuss going viral on TikTok, building a career on social media, and how she balances content creation with her most important job: motherhood.
Watch/ listen to the interview on YouTube (above), or on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Don’t forget to subscribe below for more Threads of Conversation, and follow along on Instagram and TikTok.
The piece that reminds Chani of her career…
A Mulberry Brampton bag.
The piece that reminds her of her childhood…
A jelly shoe she wore as a toddler.
The piece that reminds her of a high…
A pink Christian Lacroix suit, bought from Depop on her first Mother’s Day.
The piece that reminds her of a low…
A pair of leopard print ponyskin platforms from the 2010s.
The piece that makes her feel part of something…
A suit from Vinted with red, gold and green embroidery, mirroring the Saint Kitts and Nevis flag.
Some other things we discuss…
WAH Nails - the iconic London nail bar founded by (former Threads of Conversation podcast guest!) Sharmadean Reid
Nasir Mazhar - Fashion designer and founder of Fantastic Toiles
The Ebony Fashion Fair - a travelling fashion show created by Eunice Johnson to showcase haute couture to Black audiences
Models:
Gurmit Kaur
Brandi Quinones
Beverly Peele
Yasmin Ghauri
Anna Bayle
Start your own Thread
Which of Chani’s pieces is your favourite? And who would you like to see on the podcast next?
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