South African pop sensation Tyla continues to make waves not just with her music but also with her bold fashion choices. Recently gracing the cover of Billboard magazine, the 22-year-old singer stunned in what appeared to be a daring iridescent micro-mini skirt. But here’s the twist: the skirt, designed by Corii Burns, is actually a handbag.
Tyla, currently in South Korea for her performance at the One Universe Festival in Seoul, has been turning heads with her edgy style. The Grammy and BET award-winning artist is no stranger to pushing boundaries, and her collaboration with Burns is no exception.
Speaking to TimesLIVE, Corii Burns, a designer known for her innovative and sustainable fashion, revealed the surprising functionality of the garment. “The skirt is actually a tote. Once you take it off, you can zip the bottom, pull it out, and it becomes a fully lined bag as well,” she explained. The unique piece, crafted from dead stock leather that Burns hand-painted in gold and silver, features intricate diamond details around floral designs. This clever fusion of fashion and functionality is part of Burns’ Sante Mental Collection, which explores the intersection of nature and mental health.
The collaboration came about through Tyla’s stylists, Katie Qian and Lee Trigg, who selected Burns’ creation for the Billboard shoot. For Burns, seeing her design on Tyla was an exhilarating experience. “It was wonderful and quite a surprise. The fact that Tyla selected that piece allowed us to showcase it on a different platform, beyond the runway, and communicate its message to a larger audience,” she said.
Burns, who will soon showcase her designs at Los Angeles Fashion Week, has a long history in the fashion industry. Starting her brand 15 years ago, she initially specialized in athleisure under the name Body by Cory before evolving into Corii Burns, known for its avant-garde and environmentally conscious creations. Burns’ upcoming collection at LA Fashion Week will continue her exploration of mental health through fashion, a theme that resonates deeply with her.
In addition to dressing Tyla, Burns has also outfitted stars like Kelly Rowland, Kylie Cantrall, Samara Cyn, and Kiana Ledé. Her work will soon be seen on the female members of the LA Lakers, further cementing her reputation as a designer to watch. As for her future with Tyla, Burns is hopeful for more collaborations. “We hope to be working with Tyla’s team again soon. I’ll keep you posted,” she teased.
