Taïfa Kongolo Yav, also known as @itstaifaa on Instagram, is a digital creator based in Montreal. With around 36 thousand followers on Instagram, she brings fashion and lifestyle inspiration to her audience. We recently had a chance to catch up with her to learn more about her content and future plans as a content creator.
What is your YouTube channel/Twitch stream/podcast/etc called and what is it about?
My Instagram handle is @itstaifaa and I treat my Instagram page like a YouTube channel via the Reels sections. I used to do GRWM without talking, just filming myself dressed up but I felt like it lacked essence and originality. I wanted my community to get to know me and know what hides behind just my ‘pretty’ face. So, I bought a microphone and started talking and talking. So now I do GRWM whilst talking about random topics that come to mind and my community seems to love it. I talk about everything fashion, points of view on topics like astrology/men/music, and anywhere my mind takes me. Nothing is scripted.
When did you start it? What motivated you at the beginning?
I started thinking about content creation in May 2021 when I travelled to Senegal and emerged in such a pretty country full of different fabrics, and colours; which motivated me to try different styles of clothing and post more. I started building a community there and was getting positive returns on my sense of fashion. One of my friends Zeinab also motivated me immensely and she has already t emerged in the world of content creation. She told me how much this creative outlet made her feel good and I told myself that I should try it out. I already loved taking pictures of myself, I loved capturing beautiful moments, and am a sucker for video editing. I had many signs encouraging me to start.
Who were you inspired by? Any influences?
Yes, I just mentioned Zeinab Wane is the first person who inspired me. She inspired me on the photography side of things which was what my Instagram used to be about.
Now with my talking content, I was inspired by content creator “Izzi” @izzipoopi
She sources unique pieces of clothing that some people wouldn’t dare to wear and she always makes a hell of an outfit out of it. She also has a contagious personality and talks without thought and it made me confident enough to try it out as well.
Other influences include: Monet McMichael, Temiloluwa Otedola, Temi & Tobi Ojora, Jessi Regina, Mikai Mcdermott, Stefney V, Steph Hui
How would you describe your audience?
My audience ranges from the ages of 13 – 34. So basically teenagers to millennials. They come from all over the world, from the US to Brazil or yet again from France to South Africa. A majority are women which I love because I do everything for the girlies. Anything to put them on to some items I’ve found and who better to hype you up than women? My audience is so fun to interact with, very engaging, and interested in knowing where all my items come from. I love that my sense of fashion is not one size fits all. All ages can find something in what I have to offer.
What is your creative process? Do you have people who work with you?
I thrift at least once a week. Then I set up my tripod and start filming myself trying to style the pieces I have found. I don’t script anything because I want it to be honest. I am usually on my way to brunch or work or an event and match the outfit to where I’m headed.
In 2024, I am releasing a “Staïling Series” where each of my friends is going to take turns styling me as they see fit. They can ever style me using their own clothing, my clothing or a mix of both. The idea of this is to let them have all creative control. I want it to be interactive and fun. I want my community to know me more and for that, they need to know my friends who fashion-wise have all inspired me. It will be 4 videos a season; once a week. I am very excited about it because I have been working on it for a while now.
How do you monetize your content? Do you also have another job?
I work on paid partnerships with brands! They contact me via email and send me a proposition, I have rates, we negotiate, we sign the contract and it’s done.
I also work at an NGO during the week because ultimately my goal is to become a Policymaker.
What is your favourite piece of content you have created?
I recently did a fit check with my dad and uncle and I just find it to be such a funny video. It brings me such joy when I watch it and my community engages with it and gets to know me better and where my personality comes from after meeting my family. It was impromptu, I just set up the tripod and started talking chaotically might I add.
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
The best part is my community. I love talking to my community and making them laugh and receiving positive feedback from them. I love feeling like I am friends to over 30k people and although we might never meet, we mutually enjoy each other. I love fashion, I love trying on different pieces and showing people how my style evolves or changes. I dress differently all the time. That’s the fun part of it. Exploring and pushing my level of comfort.
The hard part is being perceived. There are bad comments like there are good ones. My confidence has been already tested multiple times due to some nasty comments. Some people don’t like my personality or what I wear and that is ok. But it affects me to a certain extent. The hard part is just trying to not let it affect me too much. Another hard thing is consistency. People don’t realize content creation is very time-consuming. Working with brands comes with a lot of rules and requirements. Living in Canada, filming is hard due to lighting purposes. We don’t have so much light anymore due to winter! So better be quick with it.
What are your future plans for your channel?
I ultimately want to grow a significant following to then launch myself into YouTube and then potentially a Podcast. I’ve always wanted to start my own podcast because there are so many topics of conversation that I’d like to address. For now, I’m focusing on reels, YouTube shorts, and grooming my TikTok.
Where can we follow you?
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