The Year of Aliyah Core
How a TikTok star is breaking down the doors of fashion.
Aliyah's Interlude, a 19 year old viral influencer and digital creator on TikTok and Instagram, is making a name for herself in the virtual world of fashion.
Her unashamedly girlie, alternative, revealing, and almost-always-pink outfits have caught the attention of 2.4M TikTok followers and 459K on Instagram. On TikTok, she most frequently posts videos showing off her latest outfit––her unique attire combined with her lively and confident energy has drawn in a loyal fanbase dedicated to what Aliyah calls an "Aliyah Core" style.
“Aliyah Core today, tomorrow, yesterday, the day after that, and all of 2023. PERIOD.”
What are the specifics of Aliyah Core, you ask? According to Aliyah, it’s not as much about what you wear as it is about “how you accessorize.”
Said accessories typically include big, fluffy earmuffs, Moon Boots or other heeled boots, a mini skirt, a garter on one leg (only one), as much fur as possible, a stocking on the other leg (sometimes both legs), a tiny shoulder bag, a belt, and layering galore. And, not to forget, the midriff is almost ALWAYS showing.
Aliyah nevertheless does NOT limit herself when it comes to accessories. She tries new things all the time. For instance, a recent outfit of hers features a bikini and boots made completely out of stuffed animals, a denim garter, a fishnet top, and earmuffs. Another includes a top entirely made out of belts.
Some insist that Aliyah Core isn’t unique, new, or “revolutionary”. But Aliyah and her admirers beg to differ.
“I understand that I'm not the first alternatively dressing black woman…” noted Aliyah in a TikTok. “But what is revolutionary and new about Aliyah Core is that I take things from many different subsets of fashion and I make it into one, simple genre or one simple aesthetic…Like, what’s not revolutionary about that?
For example, Aliyah explains that her use of earmuffs and fur draws from Harajuku fashion. But she combines these pieces with unexpected accessories, such as the garter on one leg and stocking on the other, to create her distinct style. That’s what makes Aliyah Core, Aliyah Core: Aliyah’s unique fusion of unorthodox clothing garments.
People are definitely vibing with this new trend. A glimpse into the #AliyahCore hashtag on TikTok or Instagram reveals a boatload of admiration for the fashion icon. Fans have created artwork in appreciation of Aliyah Core, have gone on and on about how much they enjoy Aliyah’s aesthetics, and have posted their own Aliyah-inspired outfits. Even musical artist Lizzo!
Even her closest friends adorn themselves in #AliyahCore. She loves styling them and often shows viewers her styling process via TikTok. Aliyah recently even styled a man to show how Aliyah Core can be masculine, too.
However, not everyone is on board with the Aliyah Agenda. Some consider Aliyah Core too ‘bizarre’ for their liking. In December, she went viral when she posted a new, eye-catching outfit on Instagram: on the hot sands of a beach in Jamaica, she donned toasty Moon Boots, fluffy earmuffs, and a bikini (all pink of course). Some found the temperature-confused outfit ridiculous.
“not everything needs to be a fashion moment”, said @bapeglair in a Tweet.
One twitter user pointed out the hypocrisy in the difference between reactions to Aliyah’s outfit and that of Kendall Jenner, who in 2022 was pictured wearing a bikini and fur boots in Colorado snow.
“yall praised her…some even emulated her. das how ik y’all r just haters.”
Unbothered by the haters, Aliyah unflinchingly responded to the controversy in a TikTok:
“For all the people that was sick about the moon boots on the beach, prepare to be sick of me in 2023 because this is gonna be my most Camp era yet: the year of Aliyah Core!"
In a show of support, musical artist Lizzo inserted that TikTok’s audio over a video in which she herself, posing by a poolside while surrounded by tropical palm trees, wore Moon Boots and a bikini. Thrilled to see such a famous star being influenced by their stylish idol, Aliyah Core enthusiasts flooded the comments. “ALIYAH CORE FOREVA!”, one commented.
As someone who’s been “dragged on more than two platforms simultaneously,” Aliyah knows all too well how it feels to not be respected as a legitimate fashion influencer. But she’s learned to be bold in the face of hate.
So, for her, Aliyah Core isn’t only about clothes and accessories. It's also about fearlessly wearing what you want despite expected critique.
“I am Aliyah’s Interlude, the eccentric fashion girlie who really loves herself, like I’m obsessed with myself,” stated Aliyah in a TikTok. “All of that plays into Aliyah Core, too– loving yourself out loud and being able to wear what you want without the fear of being perceived because you know you’re that girl.”
So cute🫶🏾I love #Aliyahcore Thankyou for sharing my post💓💓
This was so enlightening