Tia Adeola is part of Teen Vogue’s 21 Under 21 class of 2018, which spotlights extraordinary young women, girls, and femmes making waves in their industries or passions of choice.
When you think of the designers worn by some of today’s top style stars, the names that come to mind are probably Gucci, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, and more. But you might need to start adding Teni Adeola — or as she’s better known, Slashed by Tiato — to that group. The 21-year-old Nigerian-born fashion designer (everyone calls her Tia) may still be in college, but her work is being shown all over the fashion-focused streets. This past summer, Gigi Hadid stepped out in one of Tia’s eye-catching designs and catapulted her clothing into the spotlight.
Of course, it’s not just celebrities that make Tia’s clothing so special, it’s the ethereal quality to her aesthetic that makes them so eye-catching. Her inspiration? Her upbringing. “Clothes were something I loved for as long as I can remember. Being a designer wasn't something I thought was convenient or just decided to do for fun” she tells us. “I used to make dresses for my dolls using my mum's traditional Nigerian ankara fabric."
As you look at her collection, you might notice that the volume of her tops is very reminiscent of clothing from the 16th and 17th centuries and there’s a reason for that. “I studied art history in London and fell in love with garments in Renaissance painting. I wrote my final paper on 16th-century Spanish dress in painting. The royals wore the most amazing clothes: ruffles, pearls, and velvet, which were all very expensive at the time. And I noticed that people of color were never featured wearing anything of that nature; they were often featured as slaves. So for me, it was taking this notion and reversing it.”
Tia doesn’t want to just add beautiful clothing to the world, the designer also hopes to change fashion as a whole. “I feel like in fashion now, particularly in shows, everyone looks like soldiers,” she says. “The average girl does not look like that. I have friends who are models and I know what they go through to maintain their appearance. People advise me saying, 'You need tall models on the runway. They need to be skinny; it looks more professional. That's what the big designers do.' But if it takes me a little longer to reach my full potential because I won't conform to that, I'm OK with it.”
The fashion industry has room for change on the runways and in advertisements. The majority of major fashion houses are run by men, which Tia wants to change. “In 21 years, I hope I've set up a foundation steady enough to be able to uplift other girls like myself. I imagine having an all-female staff couture house and I'll train them to be the best of the best design-wise,” she muses. “I want to see the world filled with female bosses, particularly women of color. I hope to become one of the greatest female couture designers and help pave the way for others like me.”
