If you don’t know Tyla yet, trust us—you will soon. If not for her buttery vocals (you’ve probably heard her hit single “Water” on TikTok), then for her too-cool, Y2K-inspired sense of style.

In February, the South African singer became the first-ever recipient of the Grammy’s all-new Best African Music Performance award—one month before the release of her self-titled debut album, Tyla. Just as she successfully managed to break into the pop star sphere, the budding style maven landed her first major fashion campaign with Gap earlier this year, and we suspect it will be the first of many.

With all the appeal of an early aughts R&B fashion icon (read: Beyoncé, Aaliyah, Rihanna), the 22-year-old has been known to take the stage in body-baring micro crop tops and the miniest of mini skirts. Under the direction of her right-hand stylists Katie Qian and Lee Trigg, Tyla continues to cement her position as an it-girl on the rise with her nostalgic affinity for animal prints (she calls her fans ‘Tygers’), chic co-ords, and experimental textiles.

Below, we round up eight of Tyla’s best fashion moments so far.

 

Tyla’s Best Style Moments

 

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At the H&M x Mugler Global Launch in the Spring of 2023, the “Jump” singer walked the red carpet wearing a cutout-covered minidress pulled from the collection.

 

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For her performance of “Water” on The Tonight Show, Tyla slipped into a star-studded, sequin moment courtesy of Retrofete and Christian Cowan.

 

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Flawlessly capturing the aquatic aesthetic, the Johannesburg-born beauty adapted the “wet look” in a powder blue gown designed by Di Petsa.

 

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For the ultimate nod to the early 2000s, Tyla guest starred on the Jennifer Hudson show wearing a butterfly-shaped crop top and denim mini-skirt by Blumarine—the Y2K-inspired label du jour.

 

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The South African sensation rung in the 2024 year performing at Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve in a frosty, barely-there ensemble pieced together by stylists Katie Qian and Michelle Hébert.

 

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On the set of her “Truth or Dare” music video, Tyla sported an Area bra-top, a custom Kate Broadrick skirt belt and Fancì Club pants for a look that stylist Qian labelled “iconic 2000’s realness” in an Instagram caption.

 

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Once again wearing Area, Tyla served “Flintstones couture” at Clive Davis’ 2024 Pre-Grammy Gala in this black co-ord complete with bedazzled bone accents.

 

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To receive her historic Grammy award, stylist Lee Trigg dressed Tyla in a custom pistachio-coloured Versace gown worthy of its very own trophy.

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