Image via @leoniehanne
Some pretty Monday inspiration for you. Leonie has bedecked her hair with multiple hair clips. The more designer the better. Follow her @leoniehanne.
Beauty Counter | The Buff
Basing it's blends on quizzes consumers take. The Buff hand blends bespoke face and body oils that pamper your skin. Support this brand by shopping here.
Object Of My Affection | Amina Muaddi
Image from.@AminaMuaddi on Instagram
Amina Muaddi has revolutionised the shoe game. With her iconic heel shape, the palettes and embellishments, we have footwear that women cannot resist. The stylish shoe designer is the perfect face for her own brand; glamorous, modern and fashionable. Follow her on Instagram at @AminaMuaddi.
News | Story Magazine
My friend costume designer Lauren Miller and I have founded a magazine. Story Magazine is a digital publication that tells the untold stories from the fashion, beauty and culture industries. We want to take you behind the closed doors of ateliers, into the press showrooms, backstage at fashion shows, into designer studios and much more. Subscribe to receive updates on the about page at www.thetruestory.co.uk and follow us at @story.truth on Instagram.
Cover | Porter Magazine Carolyn Murphy
Porter magazine is one of my favourite magazines. It's digital form is just as good. On the current cover is veteran model Carolyn Murphy. With over 30 years in the industry, Murphy has had a contract woth Estée Lauder for 20 years. The model talks family, nature and community in the feature seen here.
Brand | Tongoro
This Sengalese based brand as seen on the likes of Beyoncé, Alicoa Keys and influencer Tamu Mcpherson os designed by Sarah Diouf. Marketed direct from brand to consumer, Tongoro is made completely in Africa and has garnered international press. From the fabric that is sourced in Africa to the production by African artisans, the brand is based in Dakar, Senegal. With a breezy, light, floaty aesthetic, Tongoro is successfully creating work for local artisans and building the infrastructure to the development of the manufacture of fashion based in West Africa. Shop the brand here.
Face | Aweng Chuol
What a model. Aweng has incredible eyes, lips and limbs. Featured by Elle Magazine as a supermodel, the Sudanese model was discovered at the end of her shift at McDonald's. Within two weeka she was flown out to Paris to walk in her first show. This is a rising star to watch. Find her on Instagram at @awengchuol .
Style Look | Lerato Kgamanyane
Image from Lerato Kgaymanyane
There are print combinations and there are print combinations! This fun mix of check and animal print feels so fresh. Lerato keeps it up to date with the white rimmed sunglasses. Love this look. Follow her on Instagram at lerato_kgaymanyane.
My Style | Print Master
They say creativity takes courage. I have always found layering very joyful. Here ive layered a print Duro Olowu x JCPenney dress over a blue dress as layered over a pair of check pants. Over this I have the faux fur stole and headwrap. The pink lips seemed like the perfect accompaniment to this outfit. No one was excited about the Duro Olowu x JCPenney collection as I was. Follow Duro on. Instagram at @duroolowu.
My Style | Texture Play
When a pair of trousers fits as though it was tailored for you, you cannpt go wrong. These cobalt blue pants and black satin camisole top was a great canvas to add the faux fur neck cuff. Texture will always be riveting for me. Pair it with color and print and we are good to go.
Event | Duro Olowu x JCPenney
Photo via Patrick Mullan
Some years ago, one of my favourite designers Duro Olowu designed a collwction for @jcpenney. Launched in New York, the who is who of the fashion, art, music etc world were thete in support.
The collection of garmenta and accessories was quintessentially Duro. Joyful printa with a wonderful color palette. He was also on the cover of New York. Fashion Week’s ‘The Daily’. Here I am pictured with the man himself.
My Style | Random
Image by @philltaylormade x Grazia Magazine
My love affair with bright knits will never end. My heart for a great printed blouse rages on. The combo of the two with a smattering of jewelry by Iris Apfel and the black socks and Louboutins just works. Can I say how much the masculine cut of the YSL coat. As for the Momo fashion scarf as headwrap, me love long time.
Feature | Diary of A Brown PR Girl by @Arietawho
I met Arieta backstage at a show. The resources were limited, time was short but her perseverance, passion and dedication as stylist and creative director of the event made it happen.
This woman rose from working on the shop floor of New Look to being in charge of celebrity collaborations eg the famous New Look collaboration with singer Lily Allen at the height of Allen's fame. After years of success as a PR officer at New Look, Arieta moved onwards to River Island, where she was just as industrious, hardworking and determined. Here she worked on the Rihanna x River Island collection and launch. I recall attending the launch, it was such a night.
Whilst bringing great press to these High Street stalwarts, Arieta's services were sought across Africa where she helped pioneer the fashion weeks and presentations in South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Gaborone etc. She tirelessly worked to bring the collections of those African based brands to life on catwalk with little or no resources backstage. For these shows she styled the likes of Naomi Campbell, Liya Kebede, Oluchi and much more, striving to garner press exposure for the designers both at home and in the West.
Long before ‘African Fashion’ became a thing, Arieta was trying to show the West these collections ahe represented, styled and consulted for. Working with design giants like Deola Sagoe, Xuly Bet and more, Arieta paved the way for the styled shows we now see on the continent of Africa and contributed to why some of those collections are now in Western showrooms. She knocked down doors, broke glass ceilings and connected many a designer to the West. An example being introducing the great Hilary Alexander to bespoke jewellery designer Anita Quansah.
The number of African countries she visited, the artisans and designers she connected with, the collections she brought to life with her styling prowess is the reason in part why designers like Maki Oh and Kenneth Ize are beloved by Western editors. She had people like Beyoncé wear a Chiachia London piece.
Arieta is a pioneer and is the reason.why the West suddenly took an interest in all things ‘African’. Her work ethic, tireless graft, talent and grit is the reason why collections were shown on runway. Sometimes styling up to 40 collections over two days due to issues like electricity cuts etc.
In a five part series Arieta has tried to tell her story. The first three instagram live sessions have been riveting, moving and extrordinary. The legend needs to write a book on her work and story to date. Follow Arieta at @arietawho on Instagram. Tune in on Thursday 23rd April at 7pm GMT for the next episode of her story.
Kudos to a legend, kudos to a pioneer.
My Style | Lips, Head & Print
There is something comforting about the lines of a headwrap. Perhaps it is in the twist of the knot… Perhaps it is the headwrap itself.
Lip girl for life, a punchy lip color is always bound to be found on my lips.
The vintage YSL coat bringa the look together and dare i say so do the ear cuff and eyewear. Read more on my posts to discover my style. L
Beauty Counter | Liha Idan Oil
Image from @lihabeauty
The Idan oil by Liha Beauty comes in three sizes. Used as everything from a hair oil, skin oil and scent, this versatile product is vegan and the packaging recyclable with everything bottled in glass. Add some joy to your beauty counter with Liha Beauty which fuse African ingredients with a quintessential British attitude. Shop on netaporter and follow fhe brand at instageam @lihabeauty.
Coffee Table | Street Culture by Seleen Saleh
Street Culture by photographer Seleen Saleh takes you to the real runway, the streets. Here Saleh has captured the color, vision, style of known and unknown muses. Since the start street style has influenced formal runways and Saleh’s unique eye documents why this is so.
Captured in New York City, the images and style reflect the diversity of that city, often pimpointing to international influence.
Launching on May 1st, published by Goff books, this inspirational book is one for your coffee table. Be inspired and read more about the book here.
Style Look | Tamu Mcpherson
Image via @tamumcpherson
Fashion influencer Tamu Mcpherson is our style look of the day in her gifted Stinegoya dress and Wandler mules. There is such a joy about Tamu that is infectious. Follow her on Instagram for more style looks at @tamumcpherson.
Beauty News | Estée Lauder x Duro Olowu
Master of prints, Duro Olowu has teamed up with Estée Lauder to produce a limited edition range of makeup. Just like his eponymous line, the hues are vibrant, bold and fun. This is a joyful range of hues for the modern day woman. Enjoy Olowu's signature of color and print here.
Press | State of The Style World
State of the Style World make fashion films. Fantastic fashion films. You have got to follow them on Instagram at @stateofthestyleworld to watch all their fantastic videos at their Instagram page here. A few years ago they created a video on me at fashion week which featured the amazing Zara Martin, designer John Rocha, diamonds by Jessica McCormack etc. Visit their Instagram to watch the video.
Beauty Counter | Weleda Skin Food
This product is deeply moisturising and hydrating for the whole body. Created in 1926, it replenishes skin by deeply penetrating the skin. Perfect for elbow and knee areas. This is one for makeup bags. Multi purpose, functional and effective.