Dallas Otigba regularly takes fashion risks as a means of articulating the level of intentionality behind her clothing choices. The Los Angeles-based influencer and content creator has risen through the ranks online due to her compelling and energetic personality. But, the way she fuses maximalistic pieces is how she won me over. Otigba’s personal style often finds her wearing pieces from Chopova Lowena to Coach. As a creator, her ability to enmesh sporty inclinations with a hint of edginess is admirable. Graphic tees and boldly colored, lengthy skirts are items that embody facets of her style. Many of the outfits she pieces together are playful and indicative of how she refuses to dress ordinarily.
“I’m a very multifaceted person, and I don’t box myself in as far as any category [or] aesthetic,” she shares over a Zoom call from her home in L.A. Aesthetically speaking, Otigba, originally from Southeast Washington, D.C., says she is most inspired by the idea of concept dressing. Runway shows by designers including Simone Rocha, Ottolinger, and Miu Miu are sources of inspiration for her. (In one recently posted Instagram Reel, Otigba playfully recreated runway looks from the previously mentioned brands.) To Dallas, living in L.A. has also allowed her space to push herself to explore brands she discovers online and incorporate them into her wardrobe. A few examples include Feng Chen Wang, Fidan Novruzova, and House of Aama by the mother-daughter design duo Rebecca Henry and Akua Shabka.
Otigba’s roots in Washington, D.C., or what she refers to as “Chocolate City,” inform the way she found her voice through clothing. As a kid she was multi-faceted, she’d often participate in plays in middle school while juggling playing tennis. She tells me that when she began attending Duke Ellington School of the Arts in 10th grade, she was largely inspired by what her peers were wearing. “It was always a fashion show every day,” Dallas mentions. This was the first time in her life that didn’t call for her to wear a uniform–she says she took these formative years as a chance to explore brands. Otigba’s mother is also one of her style muses–she shares that she has always admired how she pieces her outfits together.
After high school, attending the University of Southern California offered Otigba somewhat of a fresh slate. She says moving to California was such a culture shock that she had no choice but to truly be herself both personally and through her style. This period also led her to content creation. In the beginning days of Dallas’s content journey, she heavily focused on beauty products and regimens.
At the moment, Dallas is arguably living through her most intentional era yet. She expresses that there is a level of deliberate care behind the clothing she purchases and shares online. Here, Otigba mentions that she enjoys purchasing pieces she can envision in her “forever closet,” rather than space fillers. This method allows her to nail down what is worth picking up. And she doesn’t shy away from taking months at a time before she invests in products.
Currently, the content creator looks to brands like Hanifa and Loewe, which she feels evoke joy through clothing. To Dallas, Hanifa is a brand she won’t stop supporting due to how Anifa Mvuemba creates clothing that understands the shape of Black women and our bodies. Chopova Lowena, by the sisters Emma Chopova and Laura Lowena-Irons is another label she feels has a strong design presence. Otigba mentions that she admires the way the design duo delves into femininity and grunge simultaneously. “I don’t like to buy fast fashion. I like to have things for years and years–I look for uniqueness,” she adds.
Here are 6 essential pieces Dallas Otigba is into right now.
“These have become my personality at this point. It’s crazy how this earring will take the outfit to the next level.”
Available at En Route Jewelry
“Sample sales are a girl’s best friend! I am new to this brand but I really fell in love at [Belle The Label’s] warehouse sale and got such great quality pieces I picked up this dress in light grey and dark grey.”
Available at Belle The Label
“Don’t sleep on Crocs and also Depop. I got these for basically retail price, and they were brand new. I love to check things off my wishlist. It takes the ultimate patience, though, but so worth it.”
“[I] love this skirt because it is so well constructed and flows so effortlessly. I am obsessed with anything red and striped right now.”
Available at House of Aama
“These are definitely my most worn item recently and it’s simply because the construction is so flattering, especially to a girl that is lacking in the hip department!”
Available at Fidan Novruzova