Hailed as ‘resplendent’ by The Evening Standard, ‘best dressed’ by The Guardian and the New York Post, ‘fearless’ in style by Refinery 29 UK and named as ‘an influence on fashion in Europe’ by Consul Press, celebrity stylist, consultant and editor-at-large Marian Kwei (formerly Kihogo) has been featured by everyone from Vogue to the fashion & style page of The New York Times. With press from over 50 titles including Forbes, Kwei is a 6ft1 tall figure who you might mistake for a model with unmistakable style. With an eye for colour and print and an uncanny ability to play with structure through layering, her style is a culmination of the meeting place of her West African heritage (born in The Gambia to Ghanaian parents) and a life lived across West Africa and England, United Kingdom.
The stylist and editor who began to work in the fashion industry circa 2006 was a possible pioneer of digital fashion media, having worked with online high fashion magazines in their early day. She went on to be numbered amongst social media pioneers with her eponymously named blog, Mariankihogo.com which went on to be featured by the best in press and listed in blog recommendation lists by the likes of British Vogue and the British Fashion Council. She was chosen to feature on the first mainstream magazine to feature bloggers on its cover,
Her style was the subject of many a blog and pinterest post. Style galleries featured her outfits and many an interview deliberated on her look. As afore mentioned in 2014, Consul Press, the Italian journalistic agency likened her influence on fashion in Europe to the influence Africa had on the work of Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Henri Matisse and Picasso.
In this feature her style continues to be resplendent and all her own as she takes on high fashion as shot by Zuzu Valla (Vogue, L’Officiel, Glamour) against the backdrop of five star hotel, Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane. The establishment that is situated in one of the most expensive parts of the UK offers the best in London. British sophistication meets modern style and luxury with excellent service which is second to none. No request is too taxing for staff. The hotel which is the first Four Seasons hotel opened outside of Canada believes luxury starts with people (both its guests and employees). The hotel’s award winning spa is another reason to stay at the establishment and its newly renovated rooms and suites overlook London’s beautiful skyline. If you needed another reason to visit and stay at this hotel, an excellent one would be the eminent ‘Pavyllon’ restaurant that multi-Michelin-distinguised Chef Yannick Alléno. The French restaurant will open in July and will be an expression of Alléno’s lust for life. Visit the hotel online here.
In this setting of Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane and on Park Lane itself Marian wears garments which is big on structure (a grand large full length tulle skirt by Vidi Blak) , texture (sequins by ‘Any Old Iron’ and Rue Agthonis’, feathers by Anne Kuzmickaite, tweed, sheer fabrics by Vidi Blak) and colour (think pinks by Zandra Rhodes, Jenn Lee and Claudia Wang, green etc) as accessorized by headpieces and hats by celebrated milliners Merve Bayindir and Fernanda Lewis. If you are going to take on the luxury of Park Lane in London, you must do so with style and this Marian does.
The pairing of the Four Seasons London at Park Lane as location and an exploration of structure with the joy of exuberant accessories; metallic graphic heels by Daniela Uribe, a sustainable heel by Tanya Heath Paris, suede pumps by Emmy London, a gold pair of platforms by Joseph Azagury, a vintage silver pair Roger Vivier platforms and the hats by Bayindir and Lewis result in an editorial which is glamorous but bold. It is a joy that this editorial sees Marian wear all this by day.
Marian is indeed one of the best dressed and her style will continue to influence fashion. We hope that this editorial (as styled by herself and shot by Zuzu Valla) will inspire you to take on the glamour of fashion on your own terms just as she does, be it by day or night.
Special thanks to Four Seasons London at Park Lane and Zuzu Valla.
FAB UK Editorial TEAM CREDITS
Photographer: Zuzu Valla @zuzu.valla
Stylist: Marian Kwei @marian_kwei
Assistant stylist Iris Lakhal @irislakhal
Hairstylist Timothy Furssedonn @timothyfurssedonn
Makeup Artist Lydia Ariyo @lahmua_uk
Location and special thanks:
Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane @fslondon