Today we’d like to introduce you to Darby Nisbett.
Hi Darby, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I had wanted to start making Instagram content in the beginning of college because I knew there was a gap in seeing just your average, girl-next-door type influencer. I held off for a while because I let other people’s opinions influence me too much. Over winter break of my senior year of college, I talked to my mom about it and different things I wished I had known going into college or clothes I thought others would like. She convinced me to start a blog, so I made a little investment and bought my domain name, figured out the technical side of blogging, and spent the rest of my winter break getting a hang of blogging. A couple of months later, I was going to Charleston and Savannah for spring break and was excited to start writing some travel blog posts. The pandemic started on the last day of my spring break and then a couple of weeks later, I was quarantined with covid, so I dove even further into blogging since I didn’t have much else to do. I transitioned my personal Instagram into my “professional” account and tried to start interacting with other content creators. I quickly learned I could monetize more if I was accepted into rewardStyle’s LiketoKnow.It program, so I applied and was accepted to that around May 2020.
Fashion has been my primary focus- it’s fantastic that the plus-size community is growing, but there’s still a lack of body type diversity. I rarely see apple shape plus size models so it was important to me to try to grow this space for that, but also just to show that literally, anyone can do this. I’m not a perfectly coiffed or made up 20 something, you’ll usually find my makeup-free and in a messy bun, and I’m just like you. Social media doesn’t have to be this nasty and perfectly curated thing- so trying to change that narrative a bit has been important to me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The hardest part was in the beginning, only having my backyard to take pictures in since I had covid for the first three months and then everything was still in lockdown. I really struggled with feeling like I had to fun backgrounds instead of just some grass and trees. And, the only person who could take my picture, in the beginning, was my dad so teaching a 50-year-old dad how to get better angles wasn’t always the easiest- but he’s done a pretty good job learning. 🙂
I also have to remind myself that it’s okay that my following is growing slower than others. There are definitely quick ways to get a big following, but they’re rather inauthentic, so I won’t use those strategies. Being patient and happier with my authentic following, even if it means my follower number goes up slowly, can sometimes bug me, but at the end of the day, I’m so glad to have my close-knit following and know that I’m being honest and authentic.
Lastly, sometimes I feel like I’m in a weird position within the plus-size community. I’ve had people tell me I don’t look plus size or like I’m faking it, but I also don’t fit into the straight-sized community. Sometimes I feel like I have to try to *look* more plus size or dress less modestly to be validated as a plus-size content creator. It’s a very strange dichotomy, but ultimately it pushes me to stay authentic and let other women feel seen who might feel like they don’t fit in either category.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I think I’m most known for being authentic. I’ll post about mental health, about chronic illness, about body acceptance, etc. I’m very outspoken about Instagramming while driving (my biggest pet peeve is seeing stories from people who are driving!), about not needing to use filters and showing up in our natural state because we’re all beautiful as we are, and I think I’m also pretty well known for being against fast fashion brands (SheIn, Boohoo, Amazon, etc).
I’m by no means perfect in any of those areas, but I’ll never do something just because it could make me more money or appeal to a larger group if it isn’t true to my beliefs. So in my stories, you’ll find me filterless, I don’t apologize for looking like a mess like many others do, and I’m not going to push sales just so people will use my links if it’s not a brand I genuinely back.
I think those are all the things I’m most proud of because it’s really easy to not stay true to yourself when you start blogging. It’s much easier to say yes to whatever brand collaboration comes your way than to say no and lose out on that commission/rate. I’m proud of how I know people who have started shopping secondhand after seeing my posts, who have started therapy after I talked about it, and who have felt like they were seen when I’m open about chronic illness symptoms. It’s interesting because none of those are things are about fashion, my main content area, but I think that speaks to how I try to make sure everything I post has a purpose beyond just a pretty outfit.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Oh this is a tough one, I have so many wonderful childhood memories. I have a distinct memory of riding my Barbie jeep around my backyard one summer afternoon, picking carrots from the garden I was trying so hard to grow (although now I know it was all my parents keeping it growing) when my dad came home from work and we played outside for the rest of the afternoon. I also have wonderful memories of Disney trips- which is one of my favorite things to do this day- and getting to have magical days with my family.
Contact Info:
- Email: nisbda01@gmail.com
- Website: www.darbysdiamonds.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/darbysdiamonds
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DarbyN222
