In BUST's Fashion Nation series, we talk to people about their personal style.
Najva Sol
Director of Digital Strategy and Photographer
Brooklyn, NY
Tell me about this outfit.
The top and pants are from Rue107, a size-inclusive clothing company. They do super fun patterns and fit curves really well. The shoes are from Farewell, and I’m wearing Nasty Gal earrings. I just got my hair cut at H2 Salon in Bed Stuy [the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn]. It’s a black-owned hair salon, and they kill it with the curly hair—it’s important to my outfit.
How would you describe your personal style?
I tend to favor saturation and boldness. I’m a full rainbow—lots of textures, lots of patterns, tons of color. I love a high waistline and a crop top for my curves. I want to tell stories with my clothes, and am rooted in a more Eastern aesthetic. I’m really not a huge fan of rigid clothes. I’m into finding comfort in my clothes, and also power.
How does your style empower you?
I don’t like to blend in. It makes me uncomfortable. I’ve never been interested in toning down or taking up less space. By wearing bold, loud clothes, wearing my sparkly truth and my history, I get power out of my clothing. I like my outfits to give me joy. I just want to wear a celebration!
How has your style evolved?
When I was younger, I rejected my Persian culture. Sometime during college, I became aware that my ethnic heritage was missing. I deliberately started fusing my look with more jewelry, clothing, head wraps, and silhouettes from my culture. I want my story, my background, and my culture to be visible.
Any tips for folks on how to tell a story through style?
Don’t scream so many stories that the story you want to tell gets lost. If something makes you different, makes you you, amplify it. Whenever you’re traveling, check out thrift shops. Support craft cultures. Don’t be afraid of different-gendered sections in stores. There are more opportunities for curvy people to get beautiful fashion-forward items now than there have been in a long time. Seek those out!
By Cricket Epstein
Photographed by Seher Sikandar
Use Najva’s bold picks to inspire your own style story
1. Are You You Tank Top, $27, shantellmartin.com
2. One-of-a-Kind Crystal Pendant Necklace (similar to the one pictured), $160 and up, adinamills.com
3. Petral Cold-Shoulder Crop Top, $158, bcbg.com
4. Neon Queen West Leggings, $79, nuvango.com
5. Align Your Chakras Earrings, $48, melodyehsani.com
6. Upas Cape, $228, bcbg.com
7. Dr. Martens Rainbow Glitter Pascal Boots, $120, dollskill.com
This article originally appeared in the April/May 2018 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today!
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