Introduce yourself
My name is Kaykay Onyeobi, I’m a Nigerian currently based in North Cyprus where I am studying Visual Arts & Visual Communication Design for my Bachelor’s degree. I’m 20-years-old, my zodiac sign is Cancer and I love food {laughs}! Most importantly, I am a Visual Artist and I love photography, graphic design, painting, styling and creatively directing photo shoots and film. I’m an introvert who enjoys going on adventures, but only alone. A random “fact” about me; though it may seem like I have an interesting social life, I’m a loner, and that scares me a little because with the career path I’ve chosen, I’m expected to be more outgoing and social.
Tell us about your work as a Visual Artist.
Majority of my work so far has been focused on exploring and showing the beauty and strength of black women through photography as an art form. Unlike most people however, I’m not interested in showing this in the typical “beautiful way.” I don’t do bright colors, neither do I express their beauty in light. My perception on beauty is different. I want to show the scars, the cracks, the insecurities, the flaws, the distress and darkness. That’s the side of beauty that really excites me, the dark side nobody really likes to talk about. I don’t have a lot of work out there now, but I’m working on a few projects I can’t wait to show the world!
Describe your style and what inspires you to wear what you wear.
I’d describe my style as being cozy but extra. I wear whatever I’m into at that moment. My mood and music also play a big role in the way I look. If I wake up feeling bougie, I dress up looking bougie. If I listen to trap music while getting dressed, I’m gonna go for an edgy look. On days like that I usually hang a black cigarette on my ear {laughs}. But most days my introvert side gets the best of me and my outfit screams “unapproachable.” I have a couple of every day shoes and jackets I wrote “Fuck Off” on just because {laughs}! I’m also into baggy clothes, jackets (hot or cold, I wear everything with a jacket), ugly shoes and the weird stuff. I customize a lot of my things too and I play with my hair a lot, this is how I get to express who I am as a person because I don’t talk much.
What are your go-to style pieces, accessories, and beauty items?
My go-to style pieces definitely has to be jackets and beanies. I’m not really into accessories, I’ve been wearing the same little gold hoop earrings since I was a baby. Occasionally I switch it up to a big hoop earring or ear cuffs but that’s about it. I dread the idea of carrying a handbag, which is why I love jackets so much. The pockets are very useful. My go-to beauty item is lip gloss. It makes me feel gorgeous and I love it!
How do you defy society’s typical beauty standards?
Society’s standards of beauty are really messed up and I apologize for my use of language but I say fuck it! Nobody can make me feel bad or less beautiful for not looking like what magazines portray beauty as. I have pimple scars, large pores and fine lines and they don’t make me feel less pretty. I don’t wear make up that often because I’m also very comfortable in my skin. I understood a long time ago that beauty isn’t just about the looks but really about character and what’s on the inside. Ever since I’ve been more concerned about building who I am and not how I look. Sure I wear make up and edit my pictures, because it makes me feel more confident but I also post pictures of me without makeup or editing because I’m comfortable both ways!
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