CIY Fashionista Featuring Raven Smith Aka Ravey Baby.

Raven Smith aka Ravey Baby, Oh My! I have been following Raven on Instagram for years, I remember when she first started posting pictures of herself and I knew right away she was something special and would make a difference with her confidence. Not only is she beautiful inside and out but she is real, she is raw and she is one of a kind. She inspires and motivate hundreds on a daily with just being herself, her style and her confidence. Her fashion sense is incredible, she can be in a dress one day and the next day be in some jeans with some Js on. She is versatile and she doesn’t let anyone stop her shine. 

I knew that I wanted to feature her for CIY Fashionista of the month. She was actually suppose to be featured for October but life happened on my part. Iam glad that I have the chance to post her for this month and share her story with you all. She is one of a kind and inspiring to many. 

1.     Tell me about yourself

I'm a 28 year old girl from San Diego who grew up in the DMV.  I am laid back, blunt, comedic, sassy and love to have a good time. 

2.     How would you describe your personal style?

Tomboy chic

3.     What do you love about fashion?

That you can create whatever your heart desires and nobody will judge you because it's your own style. 

4. How do you manage everything in your life (running a brand, your career, etc)! and still find the time to be fashionable?

With a lot of organization and time management.  I work a 9-5 so there goes 8 hours of my day gone to someone else.  I have to put that same time into myself and my brand.  Sometimes I am working on things for Ravey Baby while at my day job.  You gotta do what you gotta do

5.  Do you do anything specifically to incorporate your personal style into your career?

I am like Superman when it comes to my 9-5.  Nobody at my job knows about my social media presence or life outside of work and I like to keep it that way, lol.  My personal style at work is very laxed I pretty much wear yoga pants and leggings everyday.

6. What is your favorite fashion trend? Why?

Right now my favorite fashion trend is the "cute but cozy" look. It's so simple, solid colors, sweats and a lot of interchangeable pieces.

7. How do you feel about “fashion rules”?i.e. Don’t wear white after labor day etc.

I do not follow fashion rules, never have never will.  I mix prints, I mix colors that don't match, wear white all year around.  Fashion and having your own sense of style is not based on rules.

8. What is your go to fashion item? Why? Where do you shop? 

Sneakers are always my go to.  I always try to incorporate kicks with anything I wear.  If I can finesse dressing up with kicks then....goals!  I shop everywhere mostly online these days. PrettyLittleThing, Boohoo, Asos.  I also am a big Walmart shopper.

9.  What item do you look forward to wearing this coming fall season ? 

Leather jackets and bombers.  I love how a leather jacket can make any outfit look chic.

10. What advice would you give to someone who is trying to find their personal sense of style?

Finding your personal style takes time.  Sometimes it also is revamped.  I have switched my style up so often because it changes as I get older. 

11. What are your future Goals? 

To launch my own clothing line and work with major companies who have trendy plus size brands.

12.What do you want to see more of in the fashion industry?

Inclusive to bodies that are not seen often in print and commercial.  Not every woman is coke bottle shaped.

13 Who inspires your style? 

I'm inspired by men's wear to be honest.  I am such a tomboy that I often look to male bloggers or fashion pages to see how I can add some femininity to a look.

Finish the sentence: Confidence is Me because without confidence I wouldn't be the person I am today. 

At the end of the day, NO ONE can stop you from being who you are meant to be and who you want to be. You just have to live your best life and be yourself unapologetically with not a care of what others think of you. Do you honestly want to live your life pretending to be someone that you're not? Raven lives her life to the fullest by being confident in who she is and not giving a flying fly of what anyone has to say about her. She is blunt and she gives the same vibe to everyone.

I've seen her grow into more of an amazing women as well as building her brand and making statements for woman all over to use our voices and be who we are meant to be. She uses her platform to uplift and encourage to not only be yourself but to also go for what you believe in. I know she inspires me on a daily and I thank her for that. It's ok to inspire others while being inspired by others,There is enough room for all of us to win.

Size doesn't have a limit, Confidence doesn't have a limit and either does Beauty. We are beautiful in our own special ways and no matter what size you wear or what the color of your skin tone. You can be Confident and be Yourself. Stop doubting who you are! Raven pushes through no matter what, she won't allow anything or anyone to stop her. She believes in herself that there is no doubt she is only going to the top. Her style, her confidence, her beauty, her encouragement to women all over the world makes her CIY fashionista of the month. I know that she is destined for greatness and I can't wait to see what else she has in store for her future.


Be Brave, Be Confident, Be Yourself!!!!! You Matter and You're worth it. Find Inspiration and Kick Ass, You Got This!!!


Thank You Raven, I appreciate you so much. To catch up on Raven, Follow her on Instagram at @ravey_baby.


                        A Confident Love From Me to You
                                        xoxo, Yanika