“Tinu” – All photos courtesy of Tinu
Brooklyn-born, Nigeria-raised fashionista, Tinu is truly a modern-day Renaissance woman: a Billboard-charted singer, model, publisher, and even a skilled pole fitness practitioner. A committed wife and mother of two young children, she is also a collector, brand ambassador, trendsetter, and self-admitted “shoeholic” and couture addict.
“Colorful Tinu”
Tinu exudes confidence, and she knows how to make an entrance. “I LOVE color, and African women have such a wide palette of beautiful color choices we can wear,” she said. “I live life colorfully and expressively. I cannot be a wallflower.”
“Tinu at the Rescue Dogs Rock Fundraiser Fashion Show”
She is a chameleon when it comes to her personal style. “I can go from Metallica to Giambattista Valli,” she said. “I wear clothes that reflect my innermost expression. I like the outfit to speak before I speak. I can enter a room without saying a word, and the party becomes electrified.”
Tinu with Iris Apfel
How does she choose her outfits? “The environment dictates the outfit. You need to dress accordingly,” she said. “If I’m going to an event downtown at Mr. Purple, I’m wearing hot pants, big earrings, and an afro. For an event on the Upper East Side, I will choose something like Hermes or Chanel. You don’t want to insult the host.”
Tinu, Barbara Tober and Cheryl Riley
Tinu is constantly on the go. She was preparing to fly to Palm Springs for the Barbie convention when we spoke. “I love dolls,” she said. “I might have more dolls than shoes. I rent an entire storage space to house them.” Not only is she an ardent collector, but she is also an ambassador for Mattel.
Tinu twinning with doll
“I have an Instagram page, and a YouTube channel called Dollicious Life,” she said. “I dress like my dolls and post photos of us twinning. I also shoot them to look like they are life-sized.” An executive at Mattel saw her YouTube videos and asked her to review their products. “This all started during the lockdown,” she said. “I found ways to get my creative juices flowing.”
This multi-talented maven is overflowing with creativity. Tinu is also an accomplished singer-songwriter. She ventured into the music world around the same time Beyonce debuted and was quickly recognized by the industry. “Billboard magazine did a story on me as an unknown artist rising on the charts through grassroots promotion,” she said.
Tinu with Whoopi Goldberg
Her Second album, “Addicted,” featured a catchy, confessional tune called “Shoeholic.” The video went viral and was constantly played on MTV, VH1, and Europe. “All of the shoes in the video are from my personal closet,” she said and admitted having over 1000 pairs. The video started a craze, which inspired Tinu to start the Shoeaholic Club.
She published a book and launched Shoeholic magazine in 2012. “The magazine was very successful,” she said. “Barnes & Noble picked it up immediately and stocked it until Covid hit. I’m excited to say it’s coming back in print and digital format.”
Tinu with designer, Kevan Hall
How did this NYU Stern business graduate and former banker fall into the fashion scene? “I returned to New York for college against my father’s will,” she said. The determined teen paid her own way and stayed with her uncle while attending school. “One day, I was window shopping along Fifth Avenue, and I was actually scouted by an agent,” she said.
Tinu with Tommy Hilfiger
While modeling certainly immersed her in the fashion world, Tinu credits her mother as her biggest influence. “I remember growing up, my mother was so elegant. She was a fashionista with a closet full of Valentino and Chanel.” Tinu is part of an exclusive and clandestine couture club. “Couture collectors don’t want to be known to the outside world because spending that kind of money is considered taboo,” she said. “I used to buy at least one piece from four different houses every season.”
Tinu with John Galliano
For years, she was a fixture at the Paris couture shows. “I was always the youngest person and the only black woman in the front row,” she said. People were mystified and intrigued by her. Bill Cunningham photographed her often. He captured an image of her at the Dior show, just after 9/11, with a flag on her arm. When the photo appeared in the New York Times, it started a trend. “The next thing I knew, Gilles Bensimon and so many others were wearing flags too,” she said.
“Tinu in Dior Haute Couture wedding dress”
Dior is among one of her many favorite labels. John Galliano made her wedding dress, and they are friends. In fact, she and John vacationed together in Mexico while he was doing research for a collection. “We had a great time. I was dancing on the table in a Galliano couture piece,” she said. “This was before selfies. We just lived in the moment.”
Tinu and Karl Lagerfeld
Though it’s difficult for her to pick favorites, Karl Lagerfeld was one of them. “I miss him,” she said. It was always so much fun to visit him at the office on Rue Cambon and have tea and a chat.” Tinu covets her Chanel pieces and fondly recounts the time Mr. Lagerfeld made her a pair of custom thigh-high boots, a handbag, and a matching jacket.
Tinu has fond memories of attending the last Ungaro and Yves Saint Laurent shows at the Pompidou. However, perhaps the most special event was a private sale for Givenchy, years after McQueen left the distinguished house, where she acquired some of her most treasured pieces. “I received a VIP invitation, and, honey, you fly to Paris for that!”
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