Fashion ‘Phoenix’ Jodi-Ann Tucker talks ‘inspos’, collabs
Published:Friday | June 30, 2023 | 12:08 AMKrysta Anderson/Staff Reporter
Making an imprint in the style and fashion space may be a hurdle, but local fashionista Jodi-Ann ‘Phoenix’ Tucker has been clearing the mark with her unique appeal.
That pull has garnered collaborations which has seen her social presence being a must-stop for the style-discerning individual.
It was no surprise that a brand ambassadorship made it off the vision board and into reality, with a third go-round in the making with overseas online fashion outlet KnowFashionStyle for Tucker.
Before getting to this point, Tucker, like many others, understood the hesitation that can come with procuring pieces for one’s closet online.
The algorithm got it right one seemingly magical day by showcasing beautiful melanated style goddesses to Tucker, sparking a kinship.
“Shopping online, I realised that many don’t promote melanated girls. So when I saw this on KnowFashionStyle, I was immediately drawn to the social media page and the website. A lot of the girls who look like me were endorsing their items and the page would tag or mention the girls. They have a wide variety of fashions and styles,” she told Living.
This interaction made her curious and she thought, if they can do it, she could do it too.
The digital content creator reached out and pitched her proposal.
When it was approved, the style specialist got to work, choosing four pieces, ranging from formal to casual wear.
“The delivery time was about four weeks. But, the first haul went well. It included a black patchwork jumpsuit, a green fashion two-piece set, a red solid v-neck evening dress, and a khaki off-the-shoulder tassel dress. I posted it on TikTok and it has over 200,000 views. They [KnowFashionStyle] got such great feedback from that video that they offered me an ambassadorship,” she beamed.
A second collab came and this time the haul covered 10 items, which saw Tucker expanding from the customary posts on Instagram and TikTok to a detailed review on her YouTube channel, much to the delight of her followers.
Tucker will tell you that she has always been a fan of fashion.
For her, it’s an artistic means of expressing herself; being able to wear the mood she is in.
It helps that she grew up seeing her mother sew her own clothes.
From that age, she was motivated to take the scraps and create masterpieces for her dolls and that’s where her interest developed
As one who aspires to inspire, Tucker chooses comfort over style, bringing a fresh perspective to her looks.
For the summer, she is all about denim on denim, elevated jeans pants, shorts, and high slits skirts.
From her mouth to your closet.
“You also need a blazer. It’s the summer, but you want to go to brunch and look cute. When you put on those little shorts, a blazer can definitely give that elevated look,” she said.
Tucker is into high thigh slits, which she pairs with denim.
It doesn’t matter the fabric, she is here to slay and give legs for days.
The moment it hits the spring or summer season, and you’re living in the tropics, she revealed that you can never go wrong with florals.
And then there is the fun and ease of fringe.
“If you’re about the nightlife and you want something to stand out, fringe is in as a closet must-have.”
As one who pays homage, Tucker says one of her fashion icons to this date is fellow fashion belle, Florida-based Jamaican Kass Stylz.
“I met Kass Stylz socially on Instagram six years ago. I’ve seen how she has persevered over the years. We have similar styles, so I see myself in her. A Jamaican living in the States, I see where she has broken down certain barriers as a Caribbean girl stepping into the fashion industry and I love it.”
Other honourable mentions include Prisca Style Me, I-Design 8, Yanique Duke, Takunda, and The Glam Corridor.
Her advice to others looking to find their style is to dress how one feels comfortable.
Plus, you should understand that fashion is not only about clothes, but also about pulling in the right accessories such as bags, belts, shoes and jewellery.
You can also create mood boards for different occasions and build outfits from there.