Get to know Ajaila Walker-- content creator and (our personal) style icon. She loves pop-culture, music, and fashion, of course. You may have seen Ajaila's posts on Dupe, but it's time you got to know her a little better.
Name: Ajaila Walker
Age: 27
Area of expertise: Fashion, Outfit Styling
Tell us a little bit about how you grew up and how you got started in social media / content creation?
I grew up in a small southern town in Georgia, about an hour south of Atlanta. Although small, it felt mighty! Everyone was so close knit and supportive, especially when it came to sports. I cheered most of my life, but stopped at college due to injuries. That’s when I started really focusing on social media. I knew content creation was something that I was always interested in (I was absolutely that girl posting terrible singing videos to Youtube from an ‘07 Canon), but I was terrified at first, due to the fear of being judged. But about two years after being out of high school, I thought “what the hell, people are going to talk about you anyway, so why let it stop you.”
What kinds of subject matter do you enjoy shooting most and how/why did you become interested in that?
I’ve always been a lover of clothes. My mom, to this day, says that the most annoying thing about me growing up was that I loved to change outfits at least 3 times a day for no reason (it's why I learned to do laundry at an early age lol). I also wanted to be a photographer. Growing up, I would assist at weddings and things like that, so I ended up merging two of the things that I loved, and still love, the most.
Being a smaller creator, what has surprised you most about the space?
Honestly, how supportive people are. I feel like the connections you make when building your community are so genuine. It’s like you’re in it together and you all want to see each other win.
What has been the most challenging part about being a content creator?
I think the biggest challenge is definitely being seen as worthy when you are a smaller creator. This field is so saturated, it can feel hard to stand out from the masses. For me, I definitely feel imposter syndrome more often than I would like. But at the end of the day, I have to remind myself that I do not do this for money, or for fame, but because I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else.
Whenever you are feeling stuck creatively, what are some ways you keep moving?
When I am in a rut, I truly have to take a step back and remind myself of what it is that I love about content creation in general. Most of the time when I am stuck creatively, it's because I am trying to create content that does well for other people and it throws me off balance. So I like to go back through my feed and photo albums and remind myself of the work that I did when I wasn’t so focused on what other people were doing, but what I was doing.
What are your long term goals in this industry / where are you hoping to end up?
My biggest goal since I was maybe 17, was to be a celebrity fashion stylist (I am still holding on to that one) or to start my own clothing brand revolving around everyday essentials!
What’s your go-to gas station snack haul?
Easy! Turkey Jerky (don't look at me crazy when I say that) , Nerd’s Clusters, because duh, and a Fiji water the size of your head!
What’s your current pop culture obsession?
Brat summer, demure fall!
Lightning round: Favorite Color? Comfort show? Favorite album? Three things always in your bag?
Blue. Schitt’s Creek or New Girl. Hit Me Hard and Soft has been on repeat for months, so definitely my favorite right now. Lip gloss, sunglasses, digital camera
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