Best in Show: Tika the Iggy on Why She ‘Loved It’ but ‘Couldn’t Wear It’ 

In late December, TikTok blessed us with a new fashion It girl by way of a viral video. Tika, as she is known, tried on a collection of fabulous ensembles, including a faux-fur coat, rainbow-striped fleece, and floral-print button-down. While modeling each look, she noted, in a voiceover created by Lorena Pages, that while she “loved it,” she “couldn’t wear it.” Tika is a Montreal-based Italian greyhound. Best known by her Instagram and TikTok moniker Tika the Iggy, the statuesque, silver-haired pup tugged on the heartstrings of those who’ve felt confined to leggings and sweats over the last 10 months of a pandemic that has altered everyone’s way of life. Tika was and continues to be all of us: sartorially lost souls staring longingly into a closet full of things rendered mostly unwearable at the moment, like embellished dresses, textured and printed pants, box clutches, and platform heels. But not so fast—Tika actually teaches us that, however impractical, fashion can be worn and enjoyed just for the sake of fun and self-expression. 

In fact, long before her viral TikTok, Tika was parading a fantastic array of style choices on her social media platforms. She also received a major shout-out on Instagram from musician Lizzo, who, earlier this month, donned a multicolored faux-fur bikini design by Kelsey Randall, a similar look to one that Tika wore weeks earlier. Lizzo lovingly referred to Tika as “an actual bad bitch” in her caption. “We stan queen Lizzo in this household,” Tika said over email with some help from her owner, Thomas Shapiro. “Having her call me ‘an actual bad bitch’ was all the validation a girl could ask for.” 

The Lizzo endorsement was certainly a happy surprise for Tika, but she’s fast becoming a celebrity icon on her own thanks to her rotating social media displays of her wardrobe. And again, Tika’s fun-loving, fearless approach to style makes for a pleasant reminder that clothes can still be exciting. Below, she shares how to borrow some of her favorite looks and her thoughts on what fashion may have in store for us in 2021. Hint: If you love it, definitely wear it. 

Vogue: What was your absolute favorite outfit in 2020 that you didn’t get to wear? 

Tika the Iggy: I was saving the multicolored faux-fur look that Lizzo loved for my grand entrance at PetCon in New York City this past autumn and…couldn’t wear it! It’s adorable, sustainable, and a little too extra, just like me.

Do you plan to wear this outfit in 2021? If so, when and why exactly? 

Absolutely! Your wardrobe is meant to be enjoyed. There’s no reason too small to feel fabulous. I’m wearing this baby to the market the next chance I get.

 Who are some of your favorite designers right now and why exactly?

 I’m a little biased toward designers that create looks for size XXXXXS, so I’m loving Adidas and Marine Serre’s cool streetwear fashion. If it’s good enough for Beyoncé, it’s good enough for me.

How do you feel about mixing the popular leisurewear look of 2020 with higher-end designer pieces? 

Cozy is key, so I’ll definitely be translating 2020’s WFH athleisure trend to my everyday life come SS21. I’ve invested in some quality loungewear that transitions from day to night. After the year we just had, I want to see happy tones like yellow and green take over.

What do you think the It bag or It accessory of 2021 will be and why? What It bag are you eyeing for 2021?

 I’m a big believer in elevating any look with key statement accessories. I like a comfy bag that I can fit into. I think we’re going to see bags come in soft, sporty fabrics and textures while maintaining an edge with exaggerated shapes and sizes. [Cough] slide into my DMs, Telfar [cough]. 

 Who are some of your favorite small business/local labels and designers and why exactly? 

I’m a sucker for looking chic while feeling snug, so you’ll often find me and my dad lounging around in our matching Tea You fleece pullovers. They’re based in my hometown of Montreal and make the comfiest pullovers and joggers with a minimalist aesthetic, which is perfect for running around town. I also work with a lot of designers directly, as my body shape is quite unique. Some of my favorites include Hound Around, Grig Paris, BonGoof NYC, Loko Pet Apparel, and Iggy Clothing.