What's in a Rich Life: Atiya Walcott
A monthly guest feature for Three Dots
When I discovered Atiya Walcott’s content last December I obsessed and shared her YouTube and/or TikToks with anyone who I thought might care. I also mentioned her in a December edition of this newsletter.
A Chicago-based content creator, she starts many of her videos saying “my name is Atiya Walcott and I’m incredibly fashionable,” and takes the viewer through different ways of styling. One of her videos runs through her favorite shoes for her size 11 feet—I was locked in. I watch her YouTube videos for inspiration, joy, lightness!
Tell us a bit about your career path. In watching your YouTube channel, I remember you saying you majored in film. What are you up to now?
I went to a school called Wesleyan University, where I majored in film. After graduating, I began working at Sony Pictures Entertainment, eventually winding up in the casting department. Part of my job entailed greeting actors and actresses when they arrived at my building and escorting them to my boss’s office. Eventually I realized I wanted their job—that is to be an actress—rather than my job, working in that office. I vehemently hated working in an office. I then went to USC where I got my MFA (Master’s of Fine Arts) in acting. I graduated in 2020, on Zoom in the midst of a global pandemic! As many did at the time, I heavily leaned into content creation.
I had been creating on YouTube since 2018 or 2019 but decided to pursue it in an effort to pay my rent in 2020. I’ve been doing it ever since and was able to make it a full time and financially viable job in 2024. My husband Tim and I have established a really strong brand for ourselves and I’m so proud of us! Now I’m just trying to figure out how to weave acting back into my life. I would love to start auditioning again.
Are you still a film lover? Do you have a favorite movie? I know this can be a difficult question so if not, have you seen one recently that you loved or one that you’re looking forward to seeing?
I’m an absolute film lover but I also love television as well. My favorite film that I’ve seen recently is a film called Drive My Car (2021). On my upcoming watch list is a film called Revenge (2017). I am currently watching and loving the latest season of Black Mirror—seasons 1-3 were amazing. Lastly a special shoutout to Station Eleven (2021, HBO) because I truly loved that show.
What brought you to Chicago?
I moved to Chicago because I fell in love with the city while visiting my family—my mother, father, and sister live here. My husband Tim and I found a beautiful condo that had perfect light to film and create.
What are your frequent Chicago spots - boutiques, coffee shops, restaurants, etc?
I have bought a few great items from Store B Vintage in Wicker Park—vintage designer fashion and some home decor. Restaurants I love Itoko and Coda Di Volpe located in Lincoln Park. I also love to see a movie.
I have to say, the moment I heard you say you were size 11 in shoes…you had a new fan in me. What are your go-to shoes at the moment?
Okay, I have two categories here:
Shoes that actually fit my size 11 feet
Everlane Day Ballet Flat in Black—simple chic and very comfortable
Nike Air Max Muse—chic as HECK, and comfortable too, I’d size up a half size
Axel Arigato in Off White—go for the men’s sizing because it’s the same shoe. I love these shoes so much but I need to find the right sock to wear with them. Jury’s still out on what that sock is.
Shoes that don’t fit but I make work:
Jamie Haller Minimalist Slipper in Brick—the perfect ballet flat in the softest leather. I cannot say enough great things about this flat. ALSO it is only in this category because I have them in a size 41 but they do come in a size 42!
Miista Wedges—I’ve been wearing some Miista wedges and they’re a bit snug, but who can resist Miista!!!!
I love your YouTube channel. Your sense of personal style is so refreshing. What gave you the idea for your specific corner of YouTube? It’s so unique!
I’ve been creating YouTube videos since 2018. The videos are now private, but after much trial and error, we (Tim and I) finally stumbled into creating the content we’re posting now.
I started doing fashion content on TikTok and Instagram in 2022 and eventually decided to bring the fashion content over to YouTube in 2023!
What’s your approach to color? Do you gravitate towards it? Or does it scare you? This can be in terms of the clothes you wear or the interiors of your home.
Funny that you ask about color—the next youtube video we’re going to post is my attempt to style color! In fashion I wear a lot of neutrals. I don’t like this truth and am looking to change it, but I’m letting that change happen organically and don’t think too much about it.
As for home decor I do not shy away from color. We have painted our entire condo light green! Our bedroom is dark green and my closet is blue! We are about to bring in colorful tile into our kitchen as well!
Your first outfit in this video is one of constant inspiration for me. So effortless and chic! Sadly your Mango pants are long gone. I cannot find them anywhere! Selfishly, I am going to ask, have you seen any similar pants recently that you’d recommend?
I don’t have a specific pair in mind, but if you search white, parachute pant I’m sure you’ll find something similar!!!
If you had to describe your personal style in three words, what would those words be?
Relaxed, Chic, Comfortable
I watched one of your videos where you gave us a tour of your parents’ incredible apartment in Chicago. My favorite thing about that was the art they had. Do you have any favorite artists?
Gosh I’m embarrassed to say I don’t have any favorite painters for example. But I love a lot of filmmakers, writers, and content creators! I want to give a shoutout to a phenomenal audiobook/book that I recently listened to—Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor.
In this day and age, trends are constant with TikTok and Instagram constantly churning out new ones. What’s your approach? Do you follow them?
My thoughts on trends is that we should opt into the ones we love and skip the ones we don’t. I never got into tabis—for some they’re a way of life, for others they are a trend. I love my Limewash painted walls—on TikTok they were a heavy trend a few years ago, but Limewash is my way of life.
As for trending sounds and audio, I wish I bought into those more. It’s think it’s really interesting to take a trending video format and make it your own
I love your selection of music in your videos. How would you describe your taste? Any favorite songs or artists right now?
I shamefully do not listen to music as much as the average person. If I have headphones in, I’m 9/10 listening to an audiobook.
Most of my fashion content is classical music, because I had a collection saved from my early YouTube days (domain free and all). Now I pay for a music service but still choose to largely stick with classical music because I find it soothing.
I do have one big playlist on Spotify that I listen to featuring a range of artists from Kendrick, to Lana Del Rey to Etta James.
Tim, my husband and editor, does an amazing job of weaving my favorite songs into the videos.
As part of this feature, I always ask what having a “rich life” means to you – This concept is subjective and can hold different meanings for everyone. But at its core, I see it as embracing creativity and staying true to oneself.
A rich life to me is one full of bright colors, delicious foods, deep love, creativity and community.
Thank you so much for having me!
This is so cool and such a fun read!