How this Australian creative is using OnlyFans to kickstart her fashion career
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES LOVERY
WORDS BY CAITLIN CEFAI
“I’ve had more business opportunities within the fashion industry from companies that know I work on OnlyFans”.
For many people, ‘business-minded’ and ‘professional’ aren’t words they associate with sex work. Then there’s Christina Faggiano, an Australian woman capitalising on the booming rebrand of sex work pioneered by subscription-based platform OnlyFans. Christina’s selling digital content of her body to not only pay her bills, but to launch a career in a notoriously competitive industry: fashion.
What differentiates OnlyFans from other commercial content sites in the market is its simplistic model that gives creators total control over the content they produce and the prices they set. The platform also offers profile anonymity, making it especially appealing to those looking to buy and sell sexually explicit content.
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The site has exploded in popularity since the pandemic began, with the platform raking in $3 billion last year. 21-year-old Christina, who lives on her own and runs two small businesses (a lingerie label Made By Christina, and a fashion styling service) is currently making enough money on OnlyFans to live off.
“Financial [security] is definitely the main reason I started OnlyFans, but going through the pandemic and having all of my priorities either put on hold or shifting, kinda gave me the time to get what I really wanted out of my life,” she tells me.
“Some weeks I earn more than others, it really depends on how much attention you’re promoting on other social media platforms… but I make a healthy wage, enough for my lifestyle. I personally feel like, with OnlyFans, it gives me the freedom to earn an income and explore those different areas that interest me. During the pandemic, I was designing, sewing and modelling lingerie and it made me feel very sexy… ”
I spoke with her about navigating life as an OnlyFans creator, and how the fashion industry is colliding with sex work to offer her some exciting new business opportunities.
What kind of content do you create on OnlyFans?
I create a mixture of photo and video content, pay-per-view and point-of-view content as well. I never put myself in positions where I feel uncomfortable via requests and I only do what makes me feel in control and sexy.
How do you navigate your love life while being an OnlyFans content creator?
I was in a relationship before I started working on OnlyFans and it was such a hard thing to bring up, and talk about with my partner. The key to it was being really open and honest about what you’re doing. It’s definitely working out what your partner feels comfortable with, just being with someone that supports you and knows that you aren’t doing it for any other reason than business.
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I’m very transparent with my partner about what I’m doing on OnlyFans. He’s subscribed, he knows what’s going on. He sees everything, he loves it, you know. Sometimes in the early days, he would get on board and make some appearances as well.
He’s also a creative and runs his own businesses, and he gets it. So yeah, I guess it’s just being with someone who’s quite like-minded to you and understands. At the end of the day, it’s just very clear if I’m communicating with my clients. There’s no flirting or sneaky behaviour – it’s business.
What’s your long-term career goal?
To be a designer and continue to develop my own brand as a creative. I want to continue to run an ethical [and] transparent fashion label where I am hand-making all of my garments. My true love and passion reside within being creative [and] designing and sewing. I also want to continue to work in other areas of the fashion industry such as editorial, personal and celebrity styling.
Where and what did you study?
I studied fashion throughout high school and had the privilege of being taught and mentored by a truly magnificent woman, Vicki Hobbs, who truly fostered and nurtured my love for fashion and design. She is someone I really look up to. She taught me how to be a great designer.
I was accepted into studying at the London College of Fashion after high school, but had to, unfortunately, put that on hold due to the pandemic starting in the world; it would not have been ideal for me to go. I did, for a time, plan to go back to study, but I feel I am learning more and more on my own by running my business and sewing for pleasure. I found you can get to far [away] places when you have the love, drive and intention to.
Do you ever worry that your career goals are going to collide with your OnlyFans world?
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Oh, I used to worry all the time! I think that’s why I didn’t start sooner because I was really afraid that it would hold me back from doing more ‘professional’ roles, or being in roles in the career industry that people may look down on or not approve of someone who has either been or still is a sex worker, or participating or working in OnlyFans. Honestly, I’ve had more business opportunities within the fashion industry from companies that know I do OnlyFans.
For example, I work for a lingerie brand, I’ve done some modelling for them and they’ve seen some of my designs that I’m working on at the moment for Made by Christina. I’m doing a whole new collection where I’m steering away from the more soft satin materials and I’m using faux leathers. This brand was quite interested in me getting some samples into them and start stocking them potentially. That was a very big deal for me, which is really exciting.
Do you have any advice for people interested in creating on OnlyFans?
Even if it does ‘come back to haunt you’ be proud of yourself, own it. Just be proud. If someone asks “Is that you?’ just say “Yes, that’s me!” [and] own it. Just make sure you know what you’re doing and the kind of career pathway you want to take.
I know in some industries it’s a bit controversial so always be cautious. You don’t have to advertise your own name; you change your name, and you get to know your content and your audience. I would definitely say know your boundaries and don’t be afraid to take that leap.
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