October Influencer: Lily Yange

We met the radiant Lily Yange a few years back on a press trip to Quebec and were immediately drawn into her realm. This magnetic mom is a social media maven, model and (new!) agency director with a passion for authenticity and representation—especially on the ’gram. —Vita Daily

Hi Lily! Please tell us a bit about yourself to start.

I was born in South Sudan and immigrated to Canada with my siblings in 2000 after living in a refugee camp for a few years due to losing my parents. I grew up in Scarborough, Ontario, and I was always creative. Ironically, I stumbled into my industry during my mat leave! I was a stay-at-home mom to my son Félix and thinking, “How do I stay home with him forever?!” That’s how my social media presence and platform became what it is today. I started tapping into my creative side, sharing myself modelling and, sooner than I knew it, I was being flown to Arizona to shoot a campaign with H&M—things blew up from there. On my little-to-no off days, I enjoy life’s simple pleasures: hanging out with family, binge-watching Girlfriends or, sometimes, just doing nothing at all!

How do you use your platform to impact those who follow you?

I’m incredibly selective with what I put on my platform, whether with my partnerships or personal life. I always want my “tribe” to walk away either inspired, laughing or touched by something I’ve shared because social media can appear too perfect and unrealistic.

What are your style, beauty and wellness mantras?

In fashion, if it feels good, wear it. Also, buy less but choose well. I believe in embracing authenticity, confidence and self-expression. Beauty is about feeling comfortable and empowered in my skin. In wellness, be as kind to your self—mind, body and spirit—as you would to someone you love.

What are some of the ins and outs/ ups and downs you’ve experienced as a prominent person on social media in the last few years?

Some of my biggest ups were working with dream brands like Birks, H&M, Mercedes-Benz and Sephora Canada. My downs have been a mixture of my personal life shifting and trying to balance being a mom and an entrepreneur. I was constantly running into many creative blocks. Also, I continue to see and experience the ongoing challenges with a lack of diversity in the industry, especially with brands being uncomfortable having honest conversations about these challenges.

You recently launched your own influencer agency, Sir + Lex; congrats!

Yes! I found being in the industry for seven-plus years, I always had to have conversations about diversity, inclusion and lack of representation for BIPOC creators in general. But over the past few years my best friend and co-founder Beverly Fala and I started seeing talented male creators receive little to no love. That’s where the idea of Sir + Lex Agency came to life. We represent talented male content creators in Canada and the U.S. We want to change the narrative of how males are seen in the industry as only fitness creators or “boyfriends/ husbands of a creator.” The more we spoke to male creators, the more they expressed how they aren’t put forward for campaigns like skincare, home décor, mental health and body positivity … we knew we needed to change things.

We have long loved your work with Birks; tell us about your recent partnership.

It feels like just yesterday I was walking down Bloor Street past that bright-blue sign and dreaming of owning a piece from Birks! Working with the team has been a dream. We’ve built a wonderful, incredibly fulfilling relationship. They have allowed me to be creative and tell a story my way and uniquely. From our first Dare to Dream campaign to being invited to experience their fine jewelry pieces at a private event launch in Canada and now working with them as their Dare to Dream ambassador and having a one-year partnership, it’s been a dream and an honour.

Follow Lily on Instagram.