Image via Glamour
Currently trending both on the street and on catwalks is kermit green. This muppet shade of green has been seen everywhere from Valentino to Tom Ford. Not an easy shade to wear, show goers like Vogue's Chioma Nnadi made it work layering it in a casual but pulled together look. Will you be wearing this hue?
Image via @badassboz
I have always been a fan of Judith Leiber bags. My love for the brand grows with this grid like box bag worn by Bozoma Saint John to the Oscars. Her look was fun enough but the accessory takes it to another level. Thank you Judith Leiber NY for bringing the joy. Visit her on instagram.
Image of Tolula Adeyemi from Julia Clancey editorial campaign.
Tolula Adeyemi a British LA based model, actress and celebrity DJ who has fronted in major campaigns for the likes of Vivienne Westwood. The darling of the fashion world has long been celebrated as a style icon having been featured by the likes of Vogue Italia and recognised in Harpers Bazaar UK's best dressed list. Djing for the best events, I spoke to her on everything from her beauty tips to planning the best parties. Read on for her thoughts.
Hi Tolula thank you for granting me this interview. You are an actress and model who has been the face of Vivienne Westwood, you starred in Dustin Hoffman Last Chance Harvey and have DJed for a host of brands. Your career has been diverse as a model and actress, what are you currently working on?
Hello Marian, you're welcome! I'm working on a few things. I wrapped a movie at the end of 2017, top secret indie film. Also I am featured in the new campaign for Seven 7 Footwear (trom the Seven 7 Jeans family) which I'm very excited about. I'm got a music / DJ project in the pipeline. Plus I'm writing a web series, currently working on the trailer. I know it's a lot and a little vague! But perhaps that happens when you're juggling many things. I do try to stick to one thing at a time though...
What are your future projects?
I have a Seven 7 Footwear campaign coming out this year, Julia Clancey campaign, some appearing on Modus Operandi as part of her Made-To-Order collection. Have a print and video commercial coming out. Also working on a top secret project this Spring in LA.
As an all around artist and performer what films, TV Shows and actors have you currently excited.
What’s inspiring you right now?
I just looked at a trailer to Black Panther and I'm super excited, number 1 for the obvious reasons, literally just surpassed the $1Billion dollar mark which is a HUGE achievement and definitely a signal in regards to actors and entertainers of colour. I'm not sure we have had a mainstream action movie feature some of the top class African American, black talent of all ages as well. Also it looks baddass, features my two favs Angela Bassett and Lupita plus lots fun and the reviews have been great across the board. I was thinking Lupita is becoming so iconic that she can be like Madonna or Cher with the one name haha. She's a real inspiration to me. So is Angela Bassett who is such a versatile, intelligent actor who takes risks in her performances. I love some of these young actors coming out now as well as the legendary ones, such as the Stranger Things kids, or the children in The Florida Project, gain recognition. I love seeing breakthrough talent such as Timothee Chalamet, Daniel Kaluuya from Get Out and Black Mirror. I am loving Black Mirror and it has managed to cross over to the US as a cult UK TV show, with the help of Netflix. I love seeing small projects explode and then showcase and support new talent. I am always inspired by theatre, that is one of the things I really miss about
London, the brilliant theatre scene and also the fact you can easily access theatre and the high quality of West End to Fringe theatre. The Theatre scene in LA is small, but it is still good. I have actually been to some great shows in LA, but really it is the land of the Silver Screen.
You have DJed at some of the most exclusive parties. What’s been the best one for you yet and what is your tip for wowing at a party?
I would have to say the various Oscar parties and Coachella parties that I have DJ’d at, have been unreal. Such as Interview Magazine with Guns n Roses Duff McKagan hosting, at a beautiful home in
Palm Springs during Coachella, when GNR headlined. Also I have DJ’d some legendary Oscar parties in LA for Amy Sacco with CAA a few times. A notable one is when I opened for Diplo when he played the Bungalow 8 x CAA Oscar party on the rooftop of The Roosevelt, I spun the opening DJ set.
Another Oscar party hosted by Oscar winning actress Hilary Swank. Also a pop-up Morrocan themed pop-up pool party at The Merv Griffin Estate during Coachella produced by Soho House. I opened for one of The Major Lazer Boys.
Tips for throwing a party, greet all guests as they arrive, I know it’s formal but it sets the pace for the evening. Get the best DJ your budget can afford. Think of the music first, majority think of the DJ last then panic and then if the music is not great then what are guests going to do? Nobody will dance! Music is so important, helps to set the tone, atmosphere, vibe of the party and get people dancing. People always remember dancing at a party to great music and not really the cocktails or food. Unless it’s a foodie party or something. But I cannot emphasise enough how important music is to a party, the DJ! Also I would have small bowls of cigarettes or vapes / electronic cigarettes in the outside area. I would also have soft lounge style chairs for in between dancing sessions. Lots of flowers and lovely fragranced candles as guests enter. A list of cocktails displayed clearly. Lots of canapes or Hors d’oeuvres, champagne and spirits to keep the party going late.
What style and beauty tips do you go by?
If in doubt red lipstick and high heels. I have always lived by this since a teenager. Even if you have nothing to wear and just throw on your nicest jeans and high heels and red lipstick you will still look presentable and chic, plus your favourite jacket. A little bit of glitter on the eyes or even cheeks or sequined item of clothing goes a long way. A white shirt, red lips, something shiny be that sequins, pvc skirt or trousers. Or a long dress with white converse or fun flats and red lips.
I like wearing odd occasional wear together as well like an evening dress with converse. Or sequins during the day with a wool jumper/sweater. What I love about LA is any style goes, you could literally turn up at a party wearing anything and everyone tends to really appreciate your efforts. The only thing I miss is a good Autumn or winter coat with boats and a hat. The stuff you can only really wear in the cold months in Europe or NYC.
As a Brit based in LA, what is in your little black book? What are the must see places, venues and must visit spots?
There is a cafe near my place called The Butcher, The Baker & The Cappuccino Maker. It’s very clever and very well down, it has that carefree European feel, with bright white clean lines, but still cosy, well made dishes and has a great outdoor area. It is very well designed and always busy, there are lines of people outside on any given day especially brunch. But it is actually very good food.
Everything is well thought out and perfect for the Instagram, influencer generation, as it’s bright and light to take photos great social media photos haha and to be scene. Honestly I battle the pavement to walk past on a daily basis. Actually the whole area is exploding with cute eateries because of the hotel developments and general development of the area. The only thing I am sad about is the small businesses who cannot afford the rents and the housing going up too. I love the hiking trails of Los Angeles, Fryman, Runyon being the obvious one. I still need to visit Griffith Observatory, I am waiting for a date night I think! I have been to some amazing events on studio lots like Paramount, as well as working on the lots, you get a feel of the real Hollywood, old hollywood.I love the Fairfax Flea Market as I call it or the official name being Melrose Trading Post which is on every Sunday, great celeb spotting and it is a great way to support local Californian artists and designers. A known secret is that a lot of stylists and shop owners go there and buy bulk and re-sell for a higher price or they copy designs or find inspiration, if you like. There are other markets in Venice and The famous Rose Bowl, but I always come back to Fairfax and Melrose, probably because it’s local and I find the prices are not as ridiculous as the other locations, plus you can haggle here and I know a lot of the sellers through buying furniture,vintage, plants pretty much everything in my house.
Twitter or instagram? Who are hottest people to be following now?
I am biased but I love designer Julia Clancey’s page and also one of her muses Aureta, this lady has such an eye for composition, style and design and a pretty amazing lifestyle jetting to many different destinations. So Aureta’s account is fashion, style, travel and art. I follow a lot of art pages like Watts. Place & Love.Watts and galleries and artists like Juno Calypso who are truly wonderful. Also (feminist?) Illustrators Amanda Oleander. Also the classic fashion ones like Bryan Boy, who I remember from way back and is still going strong so good to see. There are some great fashion, lifestyle and travel influencers with really pretty pages whose names escape me, there are so many!
Also I love the nostalgic cinema and 90s Instagram accounts with there dreamy posts and filters. For me it is about the visuals rather than the “Likes”. I love discovering new visually stunning accounts.
But mostly I really like to follow and like my friends and collaborators accounts.
It is without a doubt that pink is not going anywhere. At Milan Fashion Week fall 2018, attendants could not get enough of the color. It was a major trend a year ago on the catwalks New York Fashion Week. No one can get enough of pink. Image from Fashionista.com.
This color set by Kiko Milano is perfect for taking you from winter into spring. The rich hues will suit most skin tones and is just what your beauty counter is looking for. More on the brand here.
Image by @kof4art
A little shine goes a long way. My love for lurex knows no bounds. It's a fabric that just makes me happy. I like how this wrap dress works with this silver and black piece. There is something 70s about this look that I like. I am a big fan of that era.
Image of Ama K. Abebrese by @dextdeephotograpy .
It is a pleasure to interview this award winning actress whose film credits include Netflix film, Beasts of No Nation. The British Ghanaian actress has star talent and stands head and shoulders above the rest. There’s something about Ama and I recently sat down with her to discuss a few of her upcoming projects and current inspiration.
Ama its a pleasure to interview you. You are an inspiration and a friend.
As an actress what inspires you. What films, people, things have currently got you excited?
As an African actor currently its just interesting how you can’t get away from Black Panther. I think it’s quite exciting that the mainstream has taken on a film Like that and hearing that it’s definitely going to hit a billion and over is really exciting and seeing this crop of African American and African actors doing amazing things is just exciting. Ryan Coogler as the director is amazing. There’s a project that I’ve been involved in that will be coming out later this year called the Burial of Kojo. The director Blitz the Ambassador is an amazing director as well. I love people like Leila Djansi and the work that she does. It is just one of those ones where it is an exciting time for African filmmakers and people of the diaspora. Looking at the mainstream, Hollywood, we’ve had films like Get Out and Girls Trip doing amazing. The last Fast and Furious film, by another African American director did great. So the mainstream is holding it down.
What would you say is the future of TV and film in Africa. How are we doing thus far?
I think the future of African TV and film is very exciting. Obviously it’s such a big continent but just looking at the area where I’ve been privy to Ghana and Nollywood, it’s exciting, we still have a long way to go and I’m under no disillusionment of that but looking at the film makers and TV producers and some of the things I’m seeing is really really exciting. Sometimes you are just sitting and watching TV and browsing channels and just catch something interesting like South Africa some of the TV series are pretty amazing, from Nigeria and Ghana. Right now because of the Internet you get to see so much more work from other countries when before it would have been so hard.
Dependent on the TV producers working on it we will always have se exciting stuff. Off course we will always have our low end. I feel like we are never going get away from that because even in Hollywood there are B list and lower end movies. Here too people like lower end things. Those things tend to be more comedic which you can’t get away from because those things have an audience for that.
You have made some fabulous red carpet choices and always champion African designers. Who has got you excited and why?
Very early in my career, I made a conscious decision to wear African designers whether those designers are based in Europe, America or the African continent. And when I say African I mean African and those of African descent as well. What I love is, our sense of style, our sense of color and style is quite unique. We use color and prints in an exciting way and a lot of times, the designers use culture even the shapes. As an African woman my body shape is different, a lot of the times when I’m shopping, when I’m in England I’m aware that my body shape is different so a lot of African designers make clothes with bodies like me in mind. I’m a bit curvy and I’m aware of that. Ready to wear designers like @charlotteprive uses next to no African print but their shapes work for my body perfectly. Someone like @klortsoookai uses a lot of African prints in a modern way which suits everyone whether you are American or from wherever.
When it comes to the red carpet which you don’t always get to do, you like to get up, get glam and get dressed up. I like this designer @stclementasemyra, who is a young man who is very talented. I like his cuts, he likes to do very dramatic things. For the red carpet when I wear his things I love it. Someone like @aprilbykunbi who is a Nigerian designer, I love the gowns that she does. And off course there are so many designers and I can just keep going on and on. One of my favourite all time designers is who I’ve loved for a long time is K'naf Africa. I don’t think I will ever fall out of love with African designers. Top world designers are great but I feel as somebody who loves African designers and designs, as often as I can I want to showcase their work.
On a last note, one thing we don’t know about Ama....
One thing you don’t know about Ama is a tough one but I cant tell you because if I tell you then you will know (she says laughing) and then everybody will know. Oh gosh what don’t people know about me, maybe what you don’t know about me, you are not supposed to know.
Tolula Adeyemi is an LA based British model and actress. She has fronted several campaigns and has made several a best dressed lists. It was a pleasure collaborating with her outfit for the Shape of Water event by Giorgio Armani, a pre Oscar party. She is wearing the said designer in look.
The signature 30s to 50s inspiration, the bold eyeliner, the interesting choices, the bright lip, the finishing details. Singer Andra Day does the whole retro meets quirky modern in a way that grabs your attention. The Posen gown for this year's Oscars was different but different in a good way.
Follow her at @andradaymusic
Image: Fashionista.com.
Across the varying fashion weeks, one trend that has stood out is monochrome color. With red being the most favored choice, the fashion crowd from London to New York have chosen to wear mono primary colors and the trend seems to go from strength to strength.
Image via Ohh Couture
A new city a day. Exotic locale, city getaways and everything that you could think of. This stylish page has everything you could long for in travel inspiration. Leonie Hanne travels the world so you don't have to via her site. She has a knack of spotting the beautiful parts of her host land that leave you riveted. Follow her travels on Ohh Couture.
I love Freddie Harrel. The style influencer has this appeal that draws you to her. The big smile, the warmth, the style. She does the 70s look really well. Imagine with me lounge pieces that just vibe. But what really is memorable is her hair. A big ol' afro. She totally works it. She totally makes it work. Check her instagram out at @freddieharrel .
Yuul Yie's current collection boasts flats that could be straight from the 60s. The South Korean designer vintage inspired collection would look as great layered with a shift dress over wide leg trousers as it would your favorite pair of denim pants.
More on the brand as below.
Image of me by Hannan Saleh
Hannan it is a pleasure to interview you for my blog.. All the more so because I not only admire your work but have been a subject of it. How have you been?
Hi Marian, I'm great! How are you? Thank you))) I am so happy to see you back! I am an admirer of your work as well.
You do fantastic street style photography and have shot for the likes of Essence. How long have you been in the street style game and have you still got love for it? How has it changed over the years?
I started street style in 2010 and yes I do still love it. Now there are so many more photographers at NYFW some are fairly new but it comes with the territory. The most difficult part is that it's hard to get certain shots.
Image by Hannan Saleh
At fashion week. There is so much to see, so many attendants, so much style.. What captures your attention and how do you know when you have a stellar photo?
I love to scout people with their own authentic style. They own it and their confidence exudes. I think I know I have a stellar shot when in that 5 sec there was some sort of exchange between me
and the person. In that hectic environment it can be difficult but achievable.
You have a website called Street Culture. Did it come together as a result of your street fashion work? Tell me about it.
Actually Street Culture is a book I am working since 2014. It is a collection of my most amazing street style moments. It’s really exciting and you are in it! Street Culture celebrates individuality and the
creative form of expression people carry.
Who and what is inspiring you now?
Mainly I am working on self publishing the book this year, God Willing. I am focusing on a plan for that. Also I love when the seasons change we are seeing Spring peeking through which is an amazing reminder how nature reveals itself in cycles.
What would be your advice for wannabe bloggers and street style photographers? Any tips?
I think stay true to you. Don’t emulate anyone else. Just keep shooting your style will reveal itself.
You took some fantastic images of me at fashion week. What would be some of your favourite photos to date.
All the photos in my book including yours! Look out for Street Culture 2018.
Image by Hannan Saleh
Thanks to Hannan for the interview. Please visit her on instagram at @streetculturebook and at link below
There is portrait photography and there is portrait photography. Joshua Kissi of Streetstyle gets to the heart of a subject matter with his shots that speak of an earnestness that transfixes the viewer. This image is one such example of this. Run don't walk to follow his work on instagram. Thank me later. It is @joshuakissi .
Image via Susie Lau
King of color, king of throwing the unexpected hues together. I could go on about the gorgeousness of his color palettes. He throws color together like no one else. His ability to pair colors that you wouldn't think of makes him a master colourist.
Image by Phil Oh of Street Peeper
Love a skirt over trousers. Love a dress over trousers. Love parts peeking out. Isn't it more fun layering garments over each other than a straight up top and bottom? Kinda like throwing bits together and seeing how they get on. Hopefully like a house on fire.
Currently crushing on the Lip Me Lots collection by Kiko Milan. The heart shaped lipsticks and other such heart motif pieces is a limited edition collection perfect for Valentine's Day. Love me lots? Get me the Lip Me Lots collection. More at kikocosmetics.com
Me. New York. Fashion Week. A suitcase of clothes and accessories. These were the makings of this StyleLikeU.com style video. A celebration of personal style. A celebration of the innate. A celebration of style like you.
Video by StyleLikeU.com
Not many people do pregnancy stylishly but Chrissy Teigen does so effortlessly. The model's red carpet looks point to an innate understanding and grasp of how to pull an outfit together. She is glamorous, a style icon and fabulously so.