Today we’d like to introduce you to Telly Mallory.
Hi Telly, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have vivid memories of my younger self sitting for hours with crayons, sketching outfits behind a makeshift runway, imagining myself as a fashion designer. Looking back, I think that was the beginning of my love for fashion. That and the movie “Don’t tell Mom the babysitter’s dead.”
Over the years, fashion became more than clothing for me. It became an outlet, a form of expression, and a way to tell stories without always needing words. I’ve always been drawn to storytelling, and fashion has become one of the most meaningful ways I express myself and connect with others.
Now, I find myself drawn to more emotional depth posting. There’s a difference between sharing emotion and selling trends. I love sharing my mental health journey with my audience. This year marks 5 years since I started seeing a therapist. It was the best decision I’ve made since I started sharing my style online.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Burnout.
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced. After more than a decade of blogging and creating content, constantly feeling the pressure to produce, perform, and keep up with the fast pace of the ever changing social media can be incredibly overwhelming. There are moments where I felt disconnected from the creativity that made me fall in love with this in the first place.
I’ve also struggled with the pressure of overconsumption and the feeling that everyone is expected to create the same kind of content. A certain guilt being a part of the machine. As someone who values storytelling and authenticity, that disconnect challenged me daily.
What I’ve learned is that sometimes growth means slowing down and reevaluating. I’ve had to reconnect with my why, give myself permission to evolve, and create in a way that feels more aligned with who I am today. I’m learning what success means to me. And that it isn’t about constantly doing more, it’s about creating sustainably and staying connected to your own voice.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I think what sets me apart from other content creators is my vulnerability. I didn’t realize how radical that was until becoming a blogger all those years ago. This is who I am both on and offline. I’m not really a small talk kind of human. I love the deeper things. I love making people feel seen, and actually seeing them.
Sure, I can whip up a fly outfit with ease, but it’s those moments with my audience, when I’m opening up and they tell me how much they appreciate my honesty, that mean the most to me. More than anything, I want to be known for being a real person. I take a lot of pride in that. I may not have 100K followers, but the community I do have is incredibly close, and I value that deeply.
Being plus size representation for all these years has also meant a lot to me. Especially now, as that space continues to shift and many people feel like they’re seeing less support, I’m proud to still be here. I will always empower people to love themselves exactly where they are, because that love looks different for everyone.
For me, that journey has included therapy. This year marks five years since I started seeing a therapist, and sharing that experience has been one of the most rewarding parts of my platform. I’ve had so many women and men tell me they started their own healing journey after seeing me talk openly about mine. Especially as a Black woman, that means a lot to me. I grew up in a generation where therapy in the Black community often carried stigma, and I want to be one of many examples that challenge that idea. Prioritizing your mental health is one of the healthiest things you can do.
What’s next?
I’m looking forward to being even more myself. I feel that deeply as I grow further into my mid 30s. I can’t believe I’m saying that out loud, but I started all of this when I was 24, and the difference between who I was then and who I am now is night and day.
I’m continuing to diversify my content, which has become a priority for me. That looks like sharing more of the things I genuinely love outside of fashion, like travel, nature, and honestly, birding, which my audience already knows I’m very into.
Travel is a non-negotiable for me. I have a goal to visit Rome by November. Fingers crossed.
From a creative standpoint, I’m focused on more brand partnerships with people and brands I naturally gel with. I love working with brands that have done their research and genuinely connect with what I already share, rather than trying to reshape my voice. One of my biggest goals is to continue growing my audience while staying rooted in authenticity and attracting people who truly connect with who I am.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.tellylovesfashion.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tellylovesfashion/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18Uf2uxATZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
