TIKTOK CELEBRITIES AND FASHION CHOICES OF LEADCITY UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATES: A STUDY OF MIRACLE UKONU AND OPARA FRANCIS (VIBEWITHSMART)
Abstract
This study examines the influence of TikTok celebrities on the fashion choices of undergraduates at Lead City University, with particular attention to Miracle Ukonu and Opara Francis, popularly known as Vibewithsmart. As social media increasingly shapes trends and identity expression, TikTok has emerged as a dominant platform where influencers significantly impact youth behavior, especially in areas of style and self-presentation. This research explores how the fashion aesthetics and online personas of these two popular TikTok figures affect students’ clothing preferences, style imitation, and brand awareness. Adopting a mixed-methods approach comprising surveys and focus group discussions the study collects data from a representative sample of Lead City University undergraduates. The findings indicate that a majority of students are notably influenced by TikTok celebrities in their fashion decisions, frequently emulating outfits, styling patterns, and shopping choices inspired by these digital icons. The study concludes that TikTok functions as a powerful agent of fashion influence among Nigerian youths, with personalities like Miracle Ukonu and Vibewithsmart playing a central role in shaping contemporary campus fashion culture.
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