mariankihogo.com

marian — Tue, 21 May 2013 22:30:04 +0000

Honored to be featured by style site favorite, Refinery29.

It includes an interview as written by Erin Donnelly and editorial shot by Phill Taylor. The interview covers my thoughts on style, what I do, favorite designers and much more.

Read the full ’1 Girl, 4 Looks: A Star Stylist Shows Off Her Fearlessly Fab Wardrobe’ feature here.

Kind thanks to Erin and Phill.

Object Of My Affection // Bot I Lam Kaba Splash Dress

marian — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:04:33 +0000

Image courtesy of Bot I Lam.

There is a fascination with modernization and the results of an assimilation of culture.

There is an intrigue about the how’s and why’s with reference to the meeting place of The West and elements of traditional Africa that never grows old.

Bot I Lam takes iconic traditional garment shapes from across the continent of Africa and attempts to translate them with simple structure in line with European silhouette.

It is an indeed an interesting manifesto. British designer Xaverie Bakemhe launched the label in 2007, taking rise from the translation of the traditional African Kaba dress style.

The designer is quoted as saying…

“With focus on traditional African Kaba dress, Bot I Lam modernises the free flowing shape lifting the hem and tailoring the silhouette in line with contemporary European trends. A translation of iconic African garment styles and a nod towards ethical fashion.”

Employing the use of cotton wax textile sourced in Cameroun’s Yaounde and independent tailors paid a fair wage, Bot I Lam celebrates fashion with a conscience.

This dress interpreting the African Kaba dress commonly worn across many countries in Africa (with minor variations), is today’s Object of My Affection.

Discover Bot I Lam here.

More objects of affection.

marian — Thu, 16 May 2013 00:55:19 +0000

Image by Deborah Johnson of Chewing The Fad.

Deborah Johnson of Chewing The Fad spoke to me on beauty (my regime, thoughts on skincare, my favorite makeup and skincare products, beauty anecdotes and more) in her Beauty Talks segment.

Read the full interview on Chewing The Fad here.

On The Coffee Table // Roger Vivier by Virginie Mouzat and Colombe Pringle

marian — Thu, 09 May 2013 22:10:08 +0000

Roger Vivier by Virginie Mouzat and Colombe Pringle. Image via Rizzoli New York.

With a cover as beautiful as the shoes and accessories that it lauds, Roger Vivier by Virginie Mouzat and Colombe Pringle as published by Rozzoli New York is a beautiful tribute to legendary shoe and accessory designer, Roger Vivier.

Notable for craftsmanship as well as groundbreaking firsts such as creating the first stiletto heel for a ready to wear line (for the house of Dior), to creating the iconic comma heel, Vivier’s work was revered by style icons such as Jackie Onassis, Catherine Deneuve and Elsa Schiaparelli.

With contributions from Ines de la Fressange, Bruno Frisoni and Cate Blanchett, this book takes you into the charming sophistication and refinement of the shoes and accessories as rendered in sketches, photography and more.

The evolution of the brand from Vivier to the present day luxury house of shoes and accessories by Bruno Frisoni is so aptly documented in this coffee tome.

Roger Vivier by Virginie Mouzat and Colombe Pringle is published by Rizzoli, retails for $75 and is available here,

Go See // The Great Gatsby (2013) By Baz Luhrmann

marian — Fri, 03 May 2013 12:51:14 +0000

Official trailer The Great Gatsby (2013) by Baz Luhrmann via The Hollywood Bird on YouTube

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby Classic has been re-adapted for the big screen by none other than Baz Luhrmann and here are the reasons why it is a total go see.

The book

The novel by Fitzgerald received critical acclaim when it was first published in 1925. Set in 1922 in Long Island, He takes you into the lavish excess of the Roaring Twenties with this seductive literary narrative whilst documenting American social history (mainly the twists of the economy at that time, jazz, motors, crime and the adventurous flapper culture which was revolutionary for its time) . Set around a gripping plot that centers on Jay Gatsby, a main character who is as rich as he is mysterious.

The director

Only Baz Luhrmann could adequately encapsulate the giddy and exuberant excess of that period, as depicted in Fitzgerald’s classic. His indulgent stylization fits this book and the era it is set in perfectly. He does big scale and fast particularly well as seen in Moulin Rouge and Romeo+Juilet films.

The cast

Capable leading man Leonardo DiCaprio plays Gatsby, Carey Mulligan is Daisy Buchanan his love interest. This is an exciting cast and other significant roles are played by Tobey Maguire, Joel Edgerton, Isla Fisher, Elizabeth Debicki, Amitabh Bachchan etc.

The music

The score is by Craig Armstrong and the soundtrack is just as heady as the film itself. Executive producer for the soundtrack is Jay Z who worked with the likes of Kanye West, Florence + The Machine, Beyoncé, André 3000, Lana Del Ray, will.i.am etc. There is music by him featured on the soundtrack and is heard on the official trailer.

The costume

Designed by Prada, the costume is no holds barred decadence and flamboyance. The Italian fashion house embody the 20′s in every line, cut and embellishment.

More information

Coming to cinemas in the US on May 10th and in the UK on May 16th, this film is one to watch. Visit the site for the film for full synopsis, photos and more here.

Sebastião Salgado TED Talk

marian — Wed, 01 May 2013 20:03:44 +0000

Video via TED

A compelling TED Talk by Sebastião Salgado on the power of photography and how his enthusiasm for taking photos that often captured humanity at her worse led him to rebuilding the ecosystem in his native Brazil.

Camera Obscura // Flower Child

marian — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 23:40:27 +0000

Not all floral prints are created equal.

There are whimsy bohemian vintage florals, fade into the wallpaper florals, bold hyper digital florals, graphic pop art florals and ditsy feminine wile filed florals. The list of the floral tribes goes on and on.

I’m pretty fussy when it comes to my florals, with some tribes garnering more love from me than others.

The vintage Kenzo florals (as seen on me in photo) in my wardrobe are my long term favorite child section of my closet.

Peer into the camera obscura.

Beauty Counter // 32

marian — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:54:20 +0000

On the beauty counter this week are products rich in color that celebrate spring.

Givenchy Le Rouge in Croisière Coral

is a part of the Givenchy Le Rouge summer collection and coral is to summer as the sand is to the beach. Packaging is super luxe with a white leather encasing.

Available here.

JINsoon Botanical Flower Collection nail polish in French Lilac
is not only the prettiest lavender hue for your nails this spring, it is also a five free nail polish (free from toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde, toluene, DPB, and camphor).

Available here.

Sephora + Pantene Universe bring modernism, graphic lines and bold color to your beauty counter with this eyeshadow trio. The Color Theory Shadow Block in Bionic is high pigment color in a green shade called Emerald, a futuristic silvery white called White Asylum and a striking cobalt blue called Crown Blue.

Available here.

More beauty products on the counter.

Images via Sephora.

The Shopping Basket // Winged Bag

marian — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 00:38:45 +0000

Designers have gone winged (trapeze) bag crazy. If the bag significantly widens towards the top of it, then it is most likely a winged bag.

It all started with the YSL Downtown tote as designed by Stefano Pilati. Then Phoebe Philo at Céline really gave flight to the trend by designing the Trapeze tote which is notable for its dramatic winged sides. That bag took off and has never looked back. In its wake, it has inspired a flock of similarly winged totes by other fashion houses and brands. The high street was quick to catch on too. Here are three to inspire.

Giorgio Armani brings his understated and timeless elegance to the trend with this medium sized suede and leather tote. The fun part will be choosing what color pathway to chose.
Available on Luisaviaroma. More information here.

Topshop pare things back with this bone colored bag. With panels of suede and leather, it looks more expensive than it really is. A great option for the girl looking for a quality looking bag at a high street price point.
Available on Topshop. More information here.

Z Spoke by Zac Posen creates the perfect mix of vintage inspired bag shape meet modern finish. Mid priced, the Eartha Tote by Z Spoke by Zac Posen gives a definite nod to the past with the retro tote structure and handle whilst the hardware, winged sides and palette options bring it bang up to date.

Available on Neiman Marcus. More information here.

See my past crushes.

Images: Polyvore

I’d Rather Be Wearing // Bermuda Shorts

marian — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 23:38:00 +0000

Vivienne Westwood spring 2013| Nanette Lepore spring 2013 | Catwalk images via Style.com

Spring is here at last and limbs have come out of their winter hibernation.

My legs would like to see the sun and a pair or two of Bermuda short is just what they have in mind.

This season, designers kept things interesting when it came to Bermuda shorts. There is a pair for every girl; striped, printed, slightly oversize, tailored and more.

My legs could do with being in a fun pair right now. I’d oh so rather be wearing Bermuda shorts!

What would you rather be wearing?

More looks I’d rather be wearing.

mariankihogo.com

Object Of My Affection // Bot I Lam Kaba Splash Dress

There is a fascination with modernization and the results of an assimilation of culture.

There is an intrigue about the how’s and why’s with reference to the meeting place of The West and elements of traditional Africa that never grows old.

Bot I Lam takes iconic traditional garment shapes from across the continent of Africa and attempts to translate them with simple structure in line with European silhouette.

It is an indeed an interesting manifesto. British designer Xaverie Bakemhe launched the label in 2007, taking rise from the translation of the traditional African Kaba dress style.

The designer is quoted as saying…

“With focus on traditional African Kaba dress, Bot I Lam modernises the free flowing shape lifting the hem and tailoring the silhouette in line with contemporary European trends. A translation of iconic African garment styles and a nod towards ethical fashion.”

Employing the use of cotton wax textile sourced in Cameroun’s Yaounde and independent tailors paid a fair wage, Bot I Lam celebrates fashion with a conscience.

This dress interpreting the African Kaba dress commonly worn across many countries in Africa (with minor variations), is today’s Object of My Affection.

More on the dress here.

Discover Bot I Lam here.

More objects of affection.

On The Coffee Table // Roger Vivier by Virginie Mouzat and Colombe Pringle

Go See // The Great Gatsby (2013) By Baz Luhrmann

The book

The director

The cast

The music

The costume

More information

Sebastião Salgado TED Talk

A compelling TED Talk by Sebastião Salgado on the power of photography and how his enthusiasm for taking photos that often captured humanity at her worse led him to rebuilding the ecosystem in his native Brazil.

Camera Obscura // Flower Child

Not all floral prints are created equal.

There are whimsy bohemian vintage florals, fade into the wallpaper florals, bold hyper digital florals, graphic pop art florals and ditsy feminine wile filed florals. The list of the floral tribes goes on and on.

I’m pretty fussy when it comes to my florals, with some tribes garnering more love from me than others.

The vintage Kenzo florals (as seen on me in photo) in my wardrobe are my long term favorite child section of my closet.

Peer into the camera obscura.

Beauty Counter // 32

On the beauty counter this week are products rich in color that celebrate spring.

The Shopping Basket // Winged Bag

I’d Rather Be Wearing // Bermuda Shorts

Spring is here at last and limbs have come out of their winter hibernation.

My legs would like to see the sun and a pair or two of Bermuda short is just what they have in mind.

This season, designers kept things interesting when it came to Bermuda shorts. There is a pair for every girl; striped, printed, slightly oversize, tailored and more.

My legs could do with being in a fun pair right now. I’d oh so rather be wearing Bermuda shorts!

What would you rather be wearing?