Today we’d like to introduce you to Alliayah Ottley.
Hi Alliayah , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hiiii, my name is Alliayah Ottley, and my story began when I was a little girl growing up in Trinidad and Tobago. My grandparents love to tell the story of coming home from work to find piles of clothes scattered across the house—outfits I’d tried on over and over throughout the day. Even then, fashion was always present.
When I moved to America, my focus shifted toward sports. I started taekwondo, earning my black belt, along with swimming and exploring just about every athletic outlet I could find. During my youth, I was also introduced to modeling and appeared on two Parks and Recreation center flyers, though at the time it wasn’t something I felt deeply connected to.
I began running track in middle school and made it my entire world. While I still had an interest in fashion, it never existed on the scale I imagined. I couldn’t keep up with the latest drops or constantly get new clothes, and ironically, I hated thrift stores. I made do with what I had—often “borrowing” pieces from my mother’s closet. By high school, I started making my own money, which gave me the freedom to style myself how I envisioned and express myself without worrying as much about judgment.
College marked a major shift. I had grown tired of track and was searching for a new creative outlet. Then COVID happened. That pause gave me the space to truly explore my personal style and identity through fashion. I began thrifting, moving from avoiding secondhand pieces to appreciating the beauty and uniqueness in each find. I started documenting my style more—taking photos, putting together outfits just for fun, and finding any excuse to go out.
That process sparked my desire to model for others. The confidence I found through clothing and the ability to express my personal style pushed me forward. Now, I’m here—a model newly moved to NYC, chasing my dreams with hope, creativity, and a genuine desire to inspire and learn from others along the way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely wasn’t a smooth road, but I wouldn’t have asked for a different path. My biggest struggle has always been learning to trust myself—a challenge I still face at times. From quitting track without a plan to deciding to move to New York City, each moment required me to believe in my instincts and commit fully to the choices I made, seeing them through even when the outcome wasn’t clear. Trusting the vision God has given me, and just learning and growing through it all.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a fashion model and creative, and at the heart of my work is representing people who feel different or overlooked. Growing up, I was often teased about my eyebrows, which made me deeply aware of my appearance and how others perceived me.
Now, I’ve reached a place where I’ve learned to embrace the very features that once made me stand out. I’m known for curating moods and telling stories through fashion—pushing trends while using my uniqueness to speak for itself.
What I’m most proud of is how far I’ve come. Moving to NYC has always been a dream of mine, and being here while building community and discovering what I truly love and enjoy means a lot to me.
What sets me apart is my ability to express my style and taste in a way that stays true to who I am, while still resonating with others.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Faith, resilience, and determination are qualities that I feel are most important to my success. As my faith grows, I’ve learned to appreciate both the low moments and the big wins in life. It helps me trust my path because I trust God.
Resilience and determination come in because life is always going to throw some wild stuff at you. At that point, it’s really about pushing through, staying locked in, and choosing to keep going no matter what. Being determined to win—while keeping the faith—is how I move forward.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alliayahmyk
Image Credits
@mabdez.media
@shotbycozyy
@pierres.online
@chadlawsonphotos
