We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Liana Ratner a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Liana thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?
I began my content creation journey in 2019. However, I’d been a casual Instagram user before then – sharing vacation photos and celebrating friends’ birthdays like most people. While I’d been inspired by other creators and dreamed of starting my own journey, the fear of not succeeding held me back.
But 2019 was when I finally took the leap, making content creation my full-time mission. I focused solely on Instagram initially due to a misconception about TikTok at the time – I thought it was just for dance videos. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Looking back, I wish I hadn’t let this assumption stop me from exploring TikTok sooner, especially before the platform’s explosive growth during the pandemic.
When I finally joined TikTok in 2020, I discovered a powerful, fun, and inspiring platform. Through trial and error, my TikTok following grew even faster than my Instagram audience. The biggest lesson? Don’t let preconceptions hold you back – dive in and explore platforms firsthand. You might be surprised by what you discover.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m a 27-year-old content creator based in Philadelphia who loves exploring the East Coast fashion scene. You’ll often find me in New York City, D.C., or Florida, hunting for style inspiration and sharing my finds.
My journey into content creation started pretty organically. I was always the person friends came to for outfit advice or shopping help. Eventually, I realized I could help more people by sharing my tips and finds online. What started as casual outfit posts has grown into a community where we help each other look and feel great without spending a fortune.
My passion? Making fashion fun and accessible. I love showing my community how to build amazing outfits without breaking the bank. While most of my content focuses on affordable fashion finds and styling tips, I also share lifestyle content, beauty favorites, and hair care tips that I’ve discovered along the way.
What sets me apart is my commitment to real-world fashion. I focus on pieces you can actually find in stores – no “sold out” or exclusive items here! I share clothes from retailers available worldwide, trying to include various size options, and always keeping affordability in mind. When I discover a great piece or a new outfit idea, I share it immediately with my followers because I genuinely want everyone to have access to great style.
I’m most proud of building a supportive community where fashion feels approachable. Some of my proudest achievements are the before-and-after transformations from followers who’ve found their confidence through style.
At the end of the day, I want my followers to know that great style isn’t about having the most expensive clothes or following every trend. It’s about feeling confident in what you wear and knowing how to make your wardrobe work for you, regardless of your budget. Whether you’re building a work wardrobe from scratch or just need some fresh outfit ideas, I’m here to help make fashion feel less intimidating and more fun.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
My content creation journey had quite a pivot. Initially, I leveraged my Design and Merchandising degree by creating content about brand histories and trend analysis based on a passion for these topics that I developed through my time in college.
However, 3 years ago I started a Halloween costume series and something clicked – I realized that my true passion was actually in the actual styling and creative process of putting outfits together. Now, I find inspiration from outfits I see online and recreate them with my own twist, with the goal of making them more accessible and wearable for my audience.
This pivot felt natural and energizing. I was doing what I truly loved: helping others discover their style through creative outfit combinations.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Honestly, nothing beats helping someone feel good in their clothes. When I get DMs from followers saying “I would’ve never thought to pair these pieces!” or “I finally found an outfit for my interview and didn’t have to spend a fortune!” – that just makes my day.
I know how stressful it can be trying to find the perfect outfit, especially when you’re on a budget and need an outfit for a specific occasion. Whether it’s for a wedding, job interview, or just feeling stuck in a style rut – we’ve all been there. So when I can help someone figure it out without breaking the bank, it’s the best feeling.
That’s what keeps me going – knowing I’m helping real people solve their fashion problems. Because it’s not truly about being the most fashionable or having designer everything. It’s about feeling confident in what you wear, no matter your budget.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/babyyyli/?hl=en
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@babyyyli?lang=en
Snapchat: @babyyyli
Pinterest: https://pin.it/2L2PIRDpE
Lemon8: https://v.lemon8-app.com/s/OgFUkphpQ
Clapper: @babyyyli
Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/babyyyli
Image Credits
All images were taken by Liana Ratner