Images by Andreas Tomoiaga
If you are going to wear vintage, make it couture.
Make it a couture gown that illuminates things. A dress that creates her own spotlight. Now that is a dress.
Untill next time… glam kisses, Marian!
Images by Andreas Tomoiaga.
Images by Andreas Tomoiaga
Vintage couture by night.
Vintage couture on a bike worn with Gucci Marmont leather loafers and Gucci socks.
Vintage couture on Brompton Road in Knightsbridge.
Vintage couture in front of Burberry at Harrods.
Vintage couture on me as photographed by Andreas Tomoiaga.
Darling how do you like my dress?
Yes if you look closely you will spot me in a sea of tulle bedecked on a divine couch under one of the best staircases in the world. Isn’t the staircase a dream? I would be happy to take up residence beneath it. It is in Heal’s on Tottenham Court Road in London.
Coco Ribbon tulle @cocoribbon_official gown available at @mywardrobe_hq . This is gown is a moment. Everyone needs a gown that brings the drama. Photo by @tobitade .
If you are going to insist on working with phenoms, moments like this will happen darlings.
So the wonderful mind (it is quite the mind!) of David Yeo birthed the idea of shooting the beautiful Henrie Kwushue in a Northern Light inspired shoot for my magazine Story Magazine. Well if we’re going to do it we decided we might as well go panoramic with it. With the photography & lighting of the fantastic Mr Yeo (my personal name for David) and Henrie who was born to shine it didn’t take much.
I roped in Savy Jaida on makeup (girl delivered), Stacey of Be.U Hair who made a custom silver wig with a mullet no less (thank you Stacey), TobiTade a filmmaker extraordinary to film proceedings, Andreas Tomoiaga that cool kid to shoot everything behind the scenes and Sharon Adesola David the next Vogue editor-in-chief to cover the shoot for feature on Story Magazine (go read her first column piece on Bottega. Girl is only 17. Watch out Anna Wintour!). Finally but not the least...I had to do this with the fine folks at the only designer fashion rental marketplace in the world darlings. If you are going to do anything, do it big. My Wardrobe HQ provided all the wardrobe that I used to style the cover shoot. Exclusively Burberry on the garments (more on why later) and the shoes would make you weep (happy shoe envy tears off course)! We had guest appearances from shoes by Chanel (in this picture the mighty Henrie is wearing Chanel on her feet), Tom Ford, Balenciaga, Philip Lim, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana and Jimmy Choo.
Keep an eye out for this cover and editorial outfitted by My Wardrobe HQ shot by the fantastic Mr Yeo on Story Magazine here . Thank you Henrie (don’t we look mighty fine in this shot? She in Burberry & Chanel boots. Me in vintage couture & @Gucci on the eyes and feet, socks too!) . Thank you @beu.hairby for the insane otherworldly silver mullet (girl made it on set!!) that nailed my brief and this behind the scene photo. This was shot at @yoyostudios and I can promise nobody was hurt in the process, well kinda... Lights, camera, action...
Marian x Dolce & Gabbana.
What a collaboration. What a party. What a night.
Dolce & Gabbana had an international collaboration with bloggers called ‘Dress Me Up’. The project saw bloggers style a Dolce & Gabbana window each. I was honoured to be chosen to be part of the London leg of the project.
While Naomi Campbell signed T-Shirts, while a stardust sprinkled guestlist shimmied and mingled, while the air kisses and fashion hugs fell where they may… I styled a Dolce & Gabbana window which had my name and blog url on it. My name stayed on that Dolce & Gabbana Bond Street Flagship store for a week. So did the curated window by myself.
What a night. What a collaboration.
Video courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana.
Photography by David Yeo. Photograph courtesy of David Yeo.
I had a dream.
I was 14 years old and the dream was work in fashion.
I had a dream.
I was 16 years old and I wanted to featured by Vogue.
I saw the realisation of the dream. I was 19 years old and I became the UK editor of a fashion magazine.
I saw the realisation of the dream. I was 30 years old and I was featured by Vogue in an in-depth interview spanning my career and more and a separate video feature by themselves on me covering my work, my point of view and style.
I am still realising that Vogue dream even now with these beautiful portraits because they were photographed by the wonderful Dave Yeo ( @david_yeo ) who shoots for Vogue.
Who knew a little girl with a big dream would see them all come to pass? To pose for him? What an honour.
The brilliance of David’s (and you check out his aspirational client list) work is that his photography is so beautiful that it looks like ‘art’. Images so dreamy that they could be the meeting point that lies between art and photography. Be delighted at the standard, scope and sheer beauty of his work at @david_yeo (thank you darling for being amazing).
I call this portrait ‘Scarf Series 02’. I call this my ‘art’ portrait. I call this the realisation of my dreams.
Photos by and courtesy of David Yeo.
Explore David Yeo’s work here.
Dress by Ana Sekularac. Image by St Martins Lane Hotel.
Marian with guest of honour Tolula Adeyemi. Both dresses by Ana Sekularac. Image courtesy of St Martins Lane Hotel.
Marian with Hannah Almassi. Image courtesy of St Martins Lane Hotel.
Marian with Helen Jennings. Image courtesy of St Martins Lane Hotel.
Marian with Nat Weller and Tolula Adeyemi. Image courtesy of St Martin Lanes Hotel.
Tolula Adeyemi. Image courtesy of St Martins Lane Hotel.
In 2011 I celebrated the 2nd anniversary of my blog. Then I had blog called Mariankihogo.com (Kihogo as seen in title was my marital name, now I’m back to my maiden of Kwei following a divorce).
I have had many incredible moments but not many nights as memorable as this dinner.
The venue and collaborator was the wonderful 5 star St Martins Lane Hotel ( @stmartinslanesocial on Instagram) and their delightful Asia De Cuba restaurant and Light Bar. The Hotel and restaurant (were amazing to work with and we only had a month to plan) threw the dinner and pre cocktails (a wonderful custom drinks menu was made for the occasion) in my honour. This was pure joy given that this was one of my favourite hotels in the world. Asia De Cuba was one of my favourite restaurants too. I approached this hotel because of this. It is a combination of their impeccable service, the design of the space and their drinks and fold menu.
The guest of honour was actress, model, and DJ Tolula Adeyemi. My love for her is worthy of a seperate post. The muse to Vivienne Westwood is not only a friend but a joy to have collaborated with for both the red carpet and editorial fashion. She’s like a muse that inspires me to no end.
The dresses Tolula and I were honoured to wear were by none other than one of my top ten high fashion designers, Ana Sekularac. I was honoured that the lovely Ana dressed both Tolula and myself for the night (the dreamy white dress on Tolula and my scarlet red dress as seen in image two). Ana whose work shows a mastery beyond her years is just one of those wonderful people who is before her time. Her work calls to mind sculpture and architecture and much more. Her ability to tread the line between soft and hard, femininity and the other is always beautifully rendered.
The guests were extremely talented and accomplished friends from the worlds of fashion design, media, art, pr, culture etc. I was honoured to have lovely people like Hannah Almassi, Helen Jennings and Susie from Christian Louboutin, the artist Hormazd Narielwalla who presented me with a one off art piece at the event, Nat Weller who was Tolula’s date for the night, the darling Alistair Guy, celebrity stylist Nasrin Baptiste (such a talent!) etc.
The goody bag was sponsored with products across fashion, beauty etc by the likes of Mulberry. The utterly indulgent bag was proof of how supportive brands can be. I’m grateful that every brand I contacted said yes.
The press coverage was by a host of media including Glamour UK, Grazia, society pages, newspapers etc.
This is a night I will never forget and the collaboration with St Martins Lane hotel was the easiest I have ever have. They are world class. Pure class. I couldn’t have had a better venue or menu. It was an honour that this five star hotel and restaurant agreed to not only host me and my guests but to throw this event of pre dinner cocktails and an indulgent three course meal for free.
They are my favourite hotel, Asia De Cuba is my favourite restaurant and their Light Bar where the night began with custom cocktails was one of my favourite spaces.
See images from this event including the invite on the St Martins Lane Facebook page here.
Visit St Martins Lane online here and follow them on Instagram at @stmartinslanesocial
I am forever in debt to them.
I cannot wait for 21st May when they reopen.
Photo by Andreas Tomoiaga.
The hairstylist asked why the yellow.
My answer was that my hair wanted attention.
I’m not going to lie. Both my hair and lips are stroppy attention seeking divas.
The ‘Hello Yellow’ braids is to keep my hair from throwing a tantrum.
Anything to keep her quiet.
Shoutout to the boy Andreas Tomoiaga on photography. The boy has game. Holla at him on Instagram at @andreastomoiaga . He is out here in these streets taking memorable shots. Visit his website here.
Bye from my hair.
Come with me down into the hole. Let’s lose our creative inhibitions and let go. Come with me into the hole. Let’s gain creative freedom and create a new state. Come with me into the hole.
If there is a photo booth to be found, I will find.
I dream in 3D Technicolor and it is usually photo booth filled.
While misbehaving around Brick Lane in East London, I stumbled on one in Rough London East’s record store.
Enamoured with the results.
It is a little dark, a lot amateurish and it is in black and white (win!).
Photo Booths for the win.
Photo by Lois Goswell of @auburnroe on Instagram.
I would like to introduce you to my ‘style way of thinking’.
It’s brashy, it’s 70s inspired structure wise, it's a little ratchet (ratchet is good no?), it’s colourful (colour, colour, colour!), it’s one part androgynous, a little future perfect, some anime and a lot of fuzz and layers.
I would like to name this aesthetic ‘Trash Bag’.
In this specific ‘Trash Bag’ outfit I’m wearing a Helen Moore faux fur scarf. The English brand makes faux fur accessories that are made per order. Float on their furs here. I’m also wearing a Jejjjos custom made turban. The colour, the structure, the fabric, all speak to me. Order one at her Instagram at @jejjjos .
The yellow sunglasses, the crazy t-shirt, mad hatter hair and purple lips were just what this ‘Trash Brag’ look needed.
On Instagram? Holla at me @marian_kwei .
Photo by that dope child Lois Goswell of @auburnroe on Instagram.
Photography, Creative Direction and Graphic Design by Daniel Parris of Parris LDN.
Daniel Is Back On That Ish.
I know you are wondering which Daniel and what ish.
Daniel Parris is the Creative Director and Co Founder of fashion brand Parris LDN (brand is co founded with the beautiful Fiona Aprillia who is a creative genius).
The London based Creative is a talented superhero. He’s so creative that he had me floating in clouds, butterflies and daises. He had me dressed for the occasion too. In bucket hats and a mask from his brand.
Not sure what I like more… How the colour of the butterflies picks up the yellow in the bucket hat or how my pink hat matches my mask?
Daniel Is Back On That Ish.
Go peruse his page on Instagram at @danielparris_ and get yourself a bucket hat or me from his brand at @parris.ldn .
Photography by David Yeo. Photograph courtesy of David Yeo.
I had a dream.
I was 14 years old and the dream was work in fashion.
I had a dream.
I was 16 years old and I wanted to featured by Vogue.
I saw the realisation of the dream. I was 19 years old and I became the UK editor of a fashion magazine.
I saw the realisation of the dream. I was 30 years old and I was featured by Vogue in an in-depth interview spanning my career and more and a separate video feature by themselves on me covering my work, my point of view and style.
I am still realising that Vogue dream even now with these beautiful portraits because they were photographed by the wonderful Dave Yeo ( @david_yeo ) who shoots for Vogue.
Who knew a little girl with a big dream would see them all come to pass? To pose for him? What an honour.
The brilliance of David’s (and you check out his aspirational client list) work is that his photography is so beautiful that it looks like ‘art’. Images so dreamy that they could be the meeting point that lies between art and photography. Be delighted at the standard, scope and sheer beauty of his work at @david_yeo (thank you darling for being amazing).
I call this portrait ‘Scarf Series 01’ . I call this my ‘art’ portrait. I call this the realisation of my dreams.
Photos by and courtesy of David Yeo.
Explore David Yeo’s work here.
Photography courtesy of Lois Goswell (Instagram - @auburnroe)
Turbans are my love language…
A brand that makes some incredible turbans, head pieces, fascinators and the like is Jejjjos.
Shirley who is the founder of the brand was kind to make these custom satin turbans for me. Made to measure no less! She makes good headpieces! The service is great too. Think bespoke designs with flair as made by Shirley who is incredibly creative and resourceful!
The Jejjjos turbans are going to be going everywhere with me. I like how they perch on my head. I like things that have a life of their own. Thank you Shirley! (love her!)
Love how the photos by Lois Goswell (she is dope and on Instagram at @auburnroe !) catch them in their element.
Visit Jejjjos on Instagram at @jejjjos for more great headpieces and accessories.
Photography by Prabhy Singh.
I’ve got a social media crush.
It is his social media name. Ken Rich 007? What is there not to like? It has bravado, it is flashy, it is memorable.
It is his affinity for suiting and well made clothes. It is his point of view (which you can follow on Twitter. His handle is @kenrich007.
The guy has style. Follow him on social media for all things personal style, luxury living and beautiful things and places. This guy is going to be everywhere…
You heard it here first. Thank me later. You are welcome.
Ken Rich 007 is on Instagram and Twitter at @kenrich007.
Photography by Lois Goswell. Courtesy of Lois Goswell.
I like clothes that are a little ‘in your face’. I like clothes that leave a colour trail. In these images I’m wearing head to toe (minus the dress in the last image, beneath the check coat) Sasha Starlight. Her work is bright, it is gutsy, her work is memorable.
The turbans, the print… she had me at hello. The print and colour of that puffer coat though…
Sometimes I like to pretend I’m a 90s rapper. The audacious print on print.
See more of Sasha’s work here. She’s also on Instagram at @horse.of.a.different.colour .
I love how her palette collided with the photography and point of view of the mega Lois Goswell. Lois who you will hear more about SOON (both here on my blog and on luxury digital fashion magazine, Story) was everything. Pair impeccable taste with an excellent eye. You get my drift. Her photography is everything.
Follow Lois on Instagram at @auburnroe and visit her site here.
I like clothing that is a little bit ‘gutsy’. That has a little bit of attitude. Clothing that leaves a trail, I like this jacket by John Rocha. The duster. Both did a phenomenal job of making a mark. They helped say ‘Marian was here.’
Photographed at New York Fashion Week some years ago with editor David Yi. The photo was published in a streetstyle roundup on The New York Times.
Wearing necklaces by SAM HAM Design. Makeup by Tracy Walls. Photography by Prabhdeep Singh.
I’ve always been a lip girl.
The louder the lip, the better.
Makeup artist Tracy Walls gave me the ‘glam over’ and in addition to my usual bold lip, she added a glam eye. I like beauty that is one part Studio 54 and one part maximalist.
Paired with Sam Ham’s fine jewellery, I call this look ‘glamorous’. I like how Sam’s jewellery is the perfect mix of feminine meets masculine and soft meets hard. I like jewellery that works overtime.
Read more about Sam’s designs here.
With makeup by the lovely Tracy Walls, photography is by Prabhy B.
Image courtesy of Pura Cosmetics.
Made in the UK, Vegan beauty brand Pura Cosmetics, make the cutest lip balms (lip scrubs too!).
The sustainable line, have cruelty free lip balms (with packaging that is plastic free) that leaves your lips hydrated and silky soft.
The lip balms come in a variety of memorable flavours such as ‘Fruits of the forest’, ‘Blissful Bubblegum’ and my current favourite, ‘Passionfruot Martini’ to name a few.
Shop the brand here.