After years of working within the supply chain industry for a number of manufacturers, Psychology graduate Rabia Bhatty is making her mark on the influencer marketing world by championing modest fashion & lifestyle. What started as posting modeling shots for a friend’s portfolio evolved into a flourishing Instagram account with nearly 20,000 followers hungry for Rabia’s style insights.

The U.K.-based creator has collaborated with brands like Club L London & Red Dot Jewels, landing partnerships organically through highly engaged audience content. Rabia shuns hypersexualized Fast Fashion trends, instead redefining what it means to be stylish through layered, covered-up looks. 

Joining an influencer agency last year opened more doors. With their backing, Rabia is now extending her reach across platforms while seeking out brand partners aligned with her modest fashion vision. She has also collaborated with Pretty Little Thing and Bella Barnet via the talent agency.

Rabia Bhatty Taps Her Lifelong Passion for Fashion on Instagram 

One of her passions is fashion. “I’ve loved the creativity of fashion since I was a little girl,” Rabia said. It’s always been a little dream of mine to have my own fashion line.”

Though focused on her corporate career, Rabia’s creative passion persisted. The spark to start posting her looks online came from an unlikely source—a colleague who suggested she launch a fashion blog in early 2022. “My initial thought was no, it’s not something I would consider getting into, where would I even start?” Rabia admitted.

But after a photographer friend proposed shooting her for his portfolio, she decided to take the plunge. “it was surprisingly a really fun photoshoot, I felt comfortable enough in front of the camera and was pleased with the content produced,” she said. “That’s when I made the decision to plunge into the world of digital content creation and start my public social media presence.”

Within months, Rabia was sharing a curated glimpse into her stylish sensibilities with a growing following. Her long-held fashion dreams were finally coming to life.

From Modeling Photos to Lifestyle Content

Rabia’s content has evolved significantly since her Instagram launch two years ago. What began as mainly modeling shots from a photographer friend now encompasses a broader array of lifestyle moments. “I started to incorporate travel content, as well as lifestyle, which increased audience engagement,” she explained.

Maintaining that intimate connection with followers has been crucial. Rabia is diligent about responding to comments and soliciting their input. “I incorporated a number of Q&As for my audience — to give them the opportunity to connect with me on a personal level.”

Through consistency, interactivity, and a willingness to adapt her content, Rabia has cultivated a devoted following invested in her personal and professional journey.

Fostering An Engaged Community

From the outset, Rabia was determined to build an authentic relationship with her audience. “Engaging with your followers, responding to them, and consistently understanding their requirements is a key factor in understanding their preferences, which in turn builds your loyalty and credibility. Evolving and creating fresh content is also key for increased engagement,” she explained.

The approach is paying dividends – Rabia has amassed nearly 20,000 followers in just two years. While building her own brand, she also supports and engages with other like-minded content creators with similar interests.

Tapping Into Audience Insights 

Rabia cites one campaign in particular that crystallized the power of audience engagement. After posting multiple times wearing a sleek black velvet dress from Club L London, the content struck a chord. “The engagement in the content was high—The brand contacted me as my content appealed to them. They offered me a Mother’s Day Campaign, which I was thrilled about.”

Rabia shared her perspective through a Q&A while allowing Club L to re-share her stylized looks. “I was very happy to collaborate with a brand that represents high-quality clothing, that caters for affordable pricing, a brand that I buy from,” she beamed. By fostering a genuine connection with her followers, the fashion creator landed an organic partnership opportunity simply by cultivating an aligned, invested audience.

Keeping It Fresh With Versatile Styling 

For Rabia, evolving her content is essential to keeping her audience engaged and inspired. “You want to have variety and keep it fresh,” the rising fashion star explained.

One way she mixes it up is by showcasing different fashion aesthetics, like her recent focus on modest outerwear. During Ramadan, Rabia collaborated with a modest fashion boutique “to promote modest wear – I wanted my followers to see that as much as I can wear jeans and a blazer, you can also wear modest wear differently.”

She’s passionate about redefining traditional notions of stylish dressing. “You don’t need to wear less to be seen as on trend,” Rabia stated. Modesty represents beauty, style, and confidence.

Ultimately, she aims to tap into her unique background to bring an authentic perspective. Rather than chasing trends, she gravitates towards pieces that catch her eye or allow for creative styling. “I’m very particular about what catches my eye.”

Championing Modest Fashion on a Global Scale

Looking ahead, Rabia hopes to use her growing platform to shift perceptions around modest dressing in the broader fashion industry. “I want to be able to advocate the fact that modest dressing can be on point,” she said.

The content creator plans to double down on collaborating with brands “who advocate that vision” of redefining what it means to be stylish. Rabia is also eager to celebrate her Pakistani heritage by eventually incorporating more traditional cultural pieces into her looks.

By seamlessly blending haute couture with cultural elements, Rabia is carving out a unique niche as a modern, modest fashion influencer with global appeal.

Agency Backing Unlocks New Opportunities 

Joining forces with Sintillate Talent in 2022 was a pivotal moment for Rabia’s influencer journey. “It gave me the confidence and boost to take the next step forward in content creation,” she said about signing with the agency.

Beyond just reassurance, Sintillate provided access – both to potential brand partners and a supportive creator community. “there’s definitely a feel of togetherness within the agency with continuous support and rapport,” Rabia explained. “It’s been a great experience where I’ve been able to build new relationships with other content creators.”

The agency has facilitated collaborations for Rabia, such as her recent campaign with PrettyLittleThing. “Being a part of the agency has provided me with further opportunities in the fashion world of collaborations,” She said.

With Sintillate’s backing, Rabia can also be selective about the partnerships she pursues while receiving guidance from industry experts. “If I have any concerns or questions about a collaboration, I have the support of the agency… They’ve been able to get media coverage that would allow me to move forward.”

Broadening Her Reach and Impact 

Over the next 12 months, Rabia is focused on strategically amplifying her voice and influence. A key priority is to “be an advocate for modest wear” by collaborating with more brands aligned with that aesthetic. “I want to really throw myself into that a little bit more,” she said.

In addition to strengthening her core Instagram presence, Rabia is expanding to new platforms like LTK, the influencer marketing platform. “Utilizing multi-social media and marketing platforms is a key factor in growing your business,” she explained of her multi-channel approach.

The creator is likewise open to testing new content formats, including podcasting. “It is definitely a topic of interest. I have a lot to say, and I have been approached for podcasts,” Rabia shared. It’s on my “to-do list” for sure.