The new TikTok rebels
Think TikTok is all dance challenges and lip-sync videos? Here are five of our favourite creators establishing new conversations around music, beauty, activism, comedy and fashion.
In partnership with TikTok
Words: Amy Francombe
Photography: Joyce Ng
Styling: Danielle Emerson
UNKNOWN T
FOLLOWERS: 84,900 (roughly equivalent to the population of the Isle of Man)
Twenty-one-year-old rapper whose T‑Bop challenge – which sees followers perform his signature “steering wheel” dance move – has racked up a sizeable 1.6 million views since April.
Unknown T wears shirt DIOR, trousers C.P. COMPANY and sunglasses GENTLE MONSTER X PLACES+FACES
Unknown T wears vest and trousers GIVENCHY, shoes VALENTINO and sunglasses BALENCIAGA
Describe your TikTok in three words.
Enthusiastic. Unprecedented. Interesting, innit [that’s four but we’ll let him off – Ed].
Why did you decide to join TikTok?
Got to give the people what they want.
What’s the most effort you’ve put into a video?
It was a dance routine I tried to copy off [YouTube gamer] Afc Sharky. It took, like, 100 takes.
ABBY ROBERTS
FOLLOWERS: 12.5 million (roughly equivalent to the population of Guinea)
Leeds-based artist, 20, using make-up to transform herself into cyborgs, rainbow-checked Venetian queens and fluttery-eyed forest elves.
Abby wears top, shirt and dress CHOPOVA LOWENA and hat BENNY ANDALLO
Abby wears dress MIU MIU, tights GUCCI,
hat BENNY ANDALLO and shoes PRETTY BALLERINAS
What’s the longest it’s taken you to film a TikTok?
Fourteen hours. I think it was the porcelain make-up look I did last year. It took forever.
How many hours a day are you on TikTok?
I checked my screen time the other day and it said on average seven hours.
How does your IRL self differ from your TikTok persona?
I don’t usually spend more than 45 minutes getting ready.
WILLIAM HARDY
FOLLOWERS: 72,800 (roughly equivalent to the population of Dominica)
Seventeen-year-old A‑level student-turned-funnyman annoying his parents through the power of skits.
William wears shirt, vest and tie PRADA
William wears shirt, jumper, trousers and socks GUCCI and shoes PRADA
Why did you decide to join TikTok?
My hungry ass wanted clout.
What’s your most viral video?
My thirst traps.
How does your IRL persona differ from your TikTok?
I guess the biggest difference would be thirst traps. I’m not really a real-life thirst trap.
AALIYAH RAMSEY
FOLLOWERS: 82,100 (slightly more than the population of Andorra)
Twenty-year-old Mancunian hellbent on dismantling the patriarchy from her Wolverhampton student digs.
Aaliyah wears dress CHRISTOPHER KANE and sleeves SUPERYAYA100
Aaliyah wears bandeau CGVONPLATEN, skirt SUPERYAYA100, tights FALKE, shoes GINA FOR ANDREAS KRONTHALER FOR VIVIENNE WESTWOOD and necklace REBEKAH BIDE
Mannequin wears shirt SUPERYAYA100 and skirt CGVONPLATEN
What’s your most viral video?
The one where I dyed my armpits.That one sparked a lot of conversation.
Describe your TikTok in three words.
No-fucks feminist.
What’s the longest it’s taken you to film a TikTok?
It once took me three-quarters-of-an-hour to figure out how to use a filter.
JENDER ANOMIE
@jenderanomie
FOLLOWERS: 131,000 (bigger than the island nation of Kiribati)
Fluorescent-haired charity-shop digger, 29, turning slobs into swanks with her vintage finds.
Jender wears coat VIVIENNE WESTWOOD, skirt and shoes PRADA and necklace GEORGIA KEMBALL
Describe your TikTok in three words.
Undecided fashion bitch.
What’s the most effort you’ve put into a TikTok?
Waking up early in the morning.
Have you ever tried a TikTok hack?
No, I’m very much a log in, do my thing, log out kind of person. I do scroll, but it’s like an anthropological study for me.
Hair Kota Suizu. Make-up Vassilis Theotokis at Streeters. Set Amy Stickland. Nails Chisato. Head of production Rosanna Gouldman. Junior producer Katherine Bampton. Photographer’s assistants Andy Moores and Victor Paré. Stylist’s assistant Hollie Williamson. Hair assistant Andrew Yang. Make-up assistant Kimie Yasiro. Set assistants Lizzy Gilbert and Emily Beatty
