We linked up with Alessia Golfetto, the London-based influencer, stylist, and blogger paving the way for higher levels of inclusivity in the fashion industry. From her vibrant fits found on all of our moodboards, to the candid conversations she’s having around inclusive sizing, Alessia is inspiring the next gen of baddies – yourself included.
We found out Alessia’s favourite brands, style inspo, and hacks for finding vintage clothing that actually fits, via her latest project, “Thick Threads” which hosts pop-ups full to the brim of options for plus-size people, ranging from a size UK 14-26.
Transcription and photography by Lauren Mohindra for CultedXO.
You were born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria – how have your roots influenced your style?
Nigerians are notorious over-the-top dressers and from everything from the textures, colours, vibrancy, everything is just over-the-top and flamboyant and I think that kind of trickled down without me even realizing. So now when I get dressed, every element of that is in what I wear.
What inspired you to want to be in the fashion industry, and more specifically, a digital content creator?
I think it was during lockdown and I fell into like a kind of a body dysmorphic state and I started following people that looked like me and it just opened up my eyes and my world to body positivity in fashion and I just kind of wanted to represent that kind of community for myself and just do the same for someone else.
As a stylist for a body-type that is currently a minority in the fashion industry – an industry that’s pretty saturated with size 0 body types – would you say your approach is different to other stylists at all?
It has to be. It kind of starts with creativity, you have to start from the ground up and you’re basically working with what fits. That’s just where it starts and you kind of have to dissect the whole inspo board and see what you can work together to just make a decent outfit.
How does it feel knowing that you personally are inspiring other people with your platform and sparking conversations that need to be had?
It’s an amazing feeling. It literally makes me feel like everything I’ve done or been through my whole life has led up to this moment. And if I can inspire just anybody else to try something new with their dress or inspire a new brand to expand their size range, then I feel like I’ve done everything perfectly.
What’s something stylists need to know about dressing plus-sized models, that you think a lot of them don’t know?
Working with a plus-size body you need to understand proportions. You need to understand that it’s not a one-size-fits-all. One person’s 20 UK is not gonna be another person’s other 20 UK. Take measurements seriously, they’re there for a reason and you can always just check with the size guide. You should do that and listen to your models if they’re uncomfortable please change them!
Can you shout out any brands that are doing right by the plus-sized girlies?
Gosh yes! My favorite at the moment is Caroline Vito she experiments with these beautiful metal dresses and skirts and it’s so beautiful. Gina Corriere makes these like upcycled t-shirts, I’m literally wearing it right now! Valerie Ampris is a French designer, I’m also wearing right now. I love any brand that experiments with fashion but then also extends it to plus sizes!
And what changes would you love to see from any brands that really aren’t?
Please be intentional when you’re expanding your size range don’t just try to scale up and please do expand your size range start with your community.
For people looking to get into content creation on social media, what is your number one piece of advice?
Don’t focus on virality because your community will follow you through whatever you go through and you want to have a strong sense of just people that ride for you and love what you’re doing and that also helps you with your identity as well.
Knowing how social media can be such a toxic place, how would you say you maintain your boundaries online and protect your peace?
I block people! I will block someone over any stupid comment. I feel like I’ve worked so hard to create such a safe space and your community should be a safe space so if you’re not here to contribute to that then bye!
We know you launched “Thick Threads,” a Mid/Plus-Size Closet Sale ranging in sizes UK 14 to UK 28. What inspired you to start the project, and what went down at the ones you’ve hosted so far?
My friends and I love to thrift, we love fashion and every time we thrift it is a battle that has never been conquered so this day and we just wanted a space where all the plus-size girlies could come together shop freely try things on and just have something that’s our own and know that you’re coming to a place that has something that will definitely fit you.
Favourite brand you’ve worked with so far on content/modelling?
For content it would be eBay. I love circular fashion. I think that was just a perfect fit. Now we’ve started Thick Threads, it was really eye-opening to see, you know, like there’s so much amazing stuff on eBay. Nobody knows about it! Why don’t we talk about eBay enough? Modeling it was definitely Nike. I love how they champion inclusivity, they love people that are different. I love Nike.
What are the three essentials a digital content creator cannot live without?
Octobuddy, headphones, and personality!
