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ON OUR RADAR: MARIAN KIHOGO

21 Sep 2012
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Few people have the courage to wear leather shorts over long trousers, or marry as many eclectic influences as fearlessly as Marian does. Style stalkers that we are, we’re paying attention right now to the girl who said: ‘The only rule I shop by is to ask myself, “Can it be worn more than one way?”
Then I know I’ll wear it forever.’

Marian Kihogo is a Ghana-born, London-based celebrity stylist and creative consultant. We love her for her flair and affinity to the ’70s. She was listed on the New York Post’s 25 Best Dressed at New York Fashion Week in 2011, and we’re hooked on her award-winning fashion blog. It’s what a fashion blog should be – informative with a strong personal opinion. So Asanda Sizani (the leader of the Marian crush club at ELLE) asked:

What’s your earliest fashion memory?
That would have to be my mother’s way with scarves. She could do amazing things with a simple scarf. That taught me early on that it is not about the clothes and accessories we wear or their brand names, but about how we wear them.

I’m sure you’ve been asked many times, but tell us more about your style and what influences it.
I describe my style best as an emotive experience shaped by where I’ve been, a current headspace and where I am looking to go. This is then shaped by my fascination with form, certain bygone eras (’20s, ’40s and ’70s) proportion, masculine tailoring, punk, rock & roll, texture and layering. I truly am happiest when I just let my clothes reflect my person.

What do you want your clothes to say about you?
That is a great question! I have never been asked that. I guess I want them to say that there are many layers to me but each comes together to complement the whole. Finally, I hope they say that I believe in self-expression. Who knows – maybe me letting my clothes speak for my person might encourage someone to do the same? That would be wonderful.

Tell us about your blog and why you think it’s been so well received.
I launched it in December 2009 with a desire to share the things inspiring me in real time. It was an online extension, as it were, of a collection of scrapbooks I’d collated for years. Into it went images of interesting people I captured on the street, intriguing scraps of textured fabric, quotes, art prints, images of fascinating architecture, high fashion magazine tear sheets, polaroid images in certain outfits and so on. When I lost those books I decided to recreate the experience they afforded me online, with sections dedicated to fashion and trends, beauty, art, music, events, catwalk, my personal style diary and so on.
The press it has garnered still blows me away. The reception it has had is a pure honour. Perhaps it has done so well because of my desire to share my point of view in my own voice.

We love your ‘I’d rather be wearing’ posts on you blog. What would you ‘rather be wearing’ from S/S 2012?
Head-to-toe prints by Diane von Furstenberg, Mary Katrantzou and Peter Pilotto. I’d slink into the ’20s trend via garments by Armani and Etro. Also, it would be great to be able to do candy pastels from the likes of Louis Vuitton and Chanel, but toughened up with black.

Tell us about some of your celebrity clients, and some of the best red carpet moments you’ve styled for them.

I work with people across the board, from film, TV, music, fashion and entertainment. It is a privilege and so I try to respect their privacy and confidentiality by not revealing their names.
Best moments would have to be the times when a red carpet outfit encourages them to truly come into their own. You can tell, because they simply shine on that red carpet in a magnetic way. When this happens, and that specific outfit lands them on a respected and definitive best-dressed list, it is an honour for me.

Celebrities are brands through and through, so my work as personal stylist centres heavily on branding, as I think it essential for what they are seen in to be a reflection of their brand and its short and long term goals.

What is your signature in terms of fashion and beauty?
Beauty-wise it’s a bold bright lip and my Tom Ford Black Orchid perfume. Fashion-wise, it would have to be a juxtaposition of texture and headgear (a hat, turban or wrap).

What drives you to do what you do?
I believe it is a desire to communicate enthusiasm. Also, I aspire to challenging people to make them think, and inspiring them to celebrate the things that make them different.

Which women do you admire and why?
My mother, for her will power and for teaching that it is ok to be different by courageously being herself at a time when it was easier to conform. Grace Jones for her fearlessness. Beyoncé for her incredible work ethic, and Miuccia Prada for her intelligence, which shines through each collection. Finally, every woman who is comfortable in her own skin and celebrates herself inspires me.

Images from Marian Kihogo