Author: Mayreejay

Maryanne Alabi, professionally known as MAYREEJAY, is an internationally recognised fashion consultant, creative director, and image architect shaping contemporary fashion across Africa and the global style industry. With nearly two decades of experience, she is renowned for creating powerful visual identities, elevating brands, and curating timeless fashion narratives that merge luxury, culture, and modern sophistication. A graduate of the London College of Fashion, MAYREEJAY has styled for major international fashion platforms including London Fashion Week, Lagos Fashion Week, Africa Fashion Week London, and global campaigns connected to the FIFA World Cup. Her portfolio spans celebrated designers, luxury brands, and some of Africa’s most influential artists and public figures. Recognised as one of Nigeria’s leading fashion stylists, her work has been featured internationally through platforms such as Zalando, FRUK Magazine, Genevieve Magazine, and THISDAY Style, including a feature on the iconic Piccadilly Circus billboard in London. She is also the founder of Booked & Branded by MAYREEJAY — a mentorship and business platform dedicated to empowering the next generation of fashion stylists, creatives, and image entrepreneurs to build globally relevant and profitable brands.
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The Fashion Stylist’s Post-Fashion Week Survival Guide

Post Fashion Week Reset for Fashion Stylists

Fashion Week may be over, but the work of building a successful styling career continues. After days of early call times, fittings, client appointments, networking and constant movement, every fashion stylist needs intentional time to reset, reorganise and recharge.

Here are 5 evergreen, practical pieces of advice for fashion stylists to revitalise and refresh after Fashion Week.

5 Ways to Reset and Recharge After Fashion Week

1. Prioritise Your Personal Reset

Before jumping into another project, give yourself permission to slow down. Get proper rest, hydrate, eat nourishing meals and take a little time away from the constant demands of work.

Action point: Block out at least one day to rest, recharge and return to yourself without work commitments.

2. Declutter Your Styling Space

Your workspace deserves a reset too. Return borrowed pieces, organise garments, clean your styling kits, sort accessories and put everything back where it belongs.

Action point: Spend 30–60 minutes reorganising your styling space and preparing your essentials for the next assignment

3. Review, Archive and Repurpose Your Content

Fashion Week gives you valuable content, professional experiences and creative inspiration. Don’t let those moments disappear into your camera roll.

Action point: Sort your photographs and videos, update your portfolio, share behind-the-scenes moments and turn your experiences into useful content for your audience.

4. Reconnect, Follow Up and Nurture Relationships

Some of your biggest opportunities after Fashion Week can come from the connections you made during it. Reach out to designers, PR teams, photographers, brands and potential collaborators.

Action point: Dedicate one afternoon to sending thank-you messages, following up on conversations and organising new professional contacts.

5. Reignite Your Creative Inspiration

Don’t allow the pressure of constant deadlines to drain your creativity. Step away from the usual routine and expose yourself to fresh ideas, art, culture, exhibitions, books and new designers.

Action point: Create a new inspiration board, explore an unfamiliar creative space or dedicate an hour each week to personal creative research.

A final reminder for fashion stylists

Fashion Week is an opportunity to showcase your creativity, build relationships and grow your professional visibility. But building a sustainable styling career also means knowing when to pause, reflect and prepare for what’s next.

You cannot pour endlessly into your work without making time to refill your creative tank.

Your Daily Dose of Style & Business.

Stay inspired, informed and one step ahead in the fashion industry.

Follow @Bookedandbrandedbymayreejayon Instagram for daily fashion stylist guides, styling business advice, industry insights, creative inspiration and practical tips to help you stay booked and branded.

Let’s build better styling businesses together.

Booked & Branded by MAYREEJAY

Style isn’t just fashion — it’s business.

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

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How to Follow Up After Lagos Fashion Week: A Stylist’s Guide to Turning Connections into Opportunities.

Lagos Fashion Week may be over, but the real business of building relationships starts afterwards. For fashion stylists, following up with designers, photographers, brands, models and industry professionals is essential to turning meaningful conversations into future collaborations and paid opportunities.

In this guide, Booked & Branded by MAYREEJAY shares practical tips for following up professionally, nurturing industry connections and keeping your fashion career moving long after the runway lights go out.

1: FOLLOW UP AFTER FASHION WEEK: The conversation does not end when the runway lights go off. Many valuable relationships begin at Fashion Week but develop through consistent communication afterwards. A timely, personalised follow-up helps people remember who you are and provides a natural way to continue a conversation.

Thank the person for their time, refer to something specific you discussed and, where appropriate, suggest a practical next step. Avoid sending generic messages to everyone you meet.

A helpful tip will bw to follow up within a few days while the interaction is still fresh. If you discussed a collaboration, send a concise proposal or portfolio link relevant to that conversation.

2: TURN ONE FASHION WEEK APPEARANCE INTO MULTIPLE CONTENT PIECES: One well-documented experience can fuel your content calendar long after the season ends.

You do not need to attend a different event every day to remain visible online. With thoughtful planning, one show, presentation or backstage experience can generate several distinct pieces of content. For example, a single designer show could inspire a runway review, a close-up of your favourite accessories, a short styling lesson, a behind-the-scenes diary and a reflection on the collection’s creative direction.

3: UPDATE YOUR PORTFOLIO AND PRESS KIT: Your portfolio should reflect where your career is going, not only where it has been.

Fashion Week can provide relevant evidence of your creative perspective, industry relationships and professional experience. Review your portfolio after the season and select work that demonstrates your strongest skills and the type of projects you want to attract.

A professional press kit may include your biography, areas of expertise, selected projects, approved images, press features, contact information and relevant links.

QUICK DEFINITION OF A STYLIST PRESS KIT: A fashion stylist’s professional press kit is a collection of information, photographs and professional achievements that presents you and your work to potential clients, fashion brands, designers, media houses, PR agencies and event organisers.

Think of it as your professional introduction and portfolio packaged into one polished document. It helps people understand who you are, what you do, your experience and why they should consider working with you.

4: TRACK OPPORTUNITIES THAT CAME FROM THE SEASON: If you do not track your opportunities, you may overlook the value of your efforts.

After Fashion Week, review the connections, conversations and projects that emerged from your participation. Record prospective clients, potential collaborations, media contacts, designer relationships and any agreed next steps.

Not every conversation will immediately become paid work, and that is normal. The purpose of tracking is to understand what is progressing, what needs attention and which activities are producing meaningful professional results.

AFTER FASHION WEEK REVIEWS

  • Organise, edit and publish your content.
  • Update your portfolio and press kit.
  • Review the opportunities and relationships developed.
  • Evaluate your goals and prepare for the next season.
  • Remember: style isn’t just fashion — it’s business.

Remember to follow BOOKED & BRANDED BY MAYREEJAY on instagram for more fashion stylig business tips and business growth.

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Lagos Fashion Week Stylist Guide Part 2

Lagos Fashion Week collage featuring runway shows, backstage styling, and fashion industry networking.

How to Position Your Brand, Build Valuable Connections and Maximise Fashion Week Opportunities

Fashion Week isn’t just about attending shows, it’s about positioning.

Lagos Fashion Week is more than a calendar of runway shows, presentations and fashion events. For fashion stylists, it is an opportunity to build visibility, strengthen professional relationships, document creative work and position themselves for future collaborations.

Whether you are an emerging stylist building your portfolio or an established professional expanding your network, how you prepare, conduct yourself and follow up after Fashion Week can determine the value you gain from the season.

The goal is not simply to be seen. It is to make sure your presence has a purpose.

Let’s touch on quick practical stylist’s guide to help you build valuable connections and maximise fashion week opportunities for you and your fashion styling brand.

1. DEFINE WHAT YOU WANT FROM FASHION WEEK: You cannot maximise an opportunity you have not defined. Before Lagos Fashion Week begins, identify what you want to achieve. Are you looking to connect with designers, secure styling clients, meet fashion editors, build your portfolio, discover new brands or create content for your platforms?Write down two or three realistic goals and use them to guide your schedule, conversations and decisions throughout the season.

Set a clear objective for each day. For example, attend a designer’s show to study their collection, connect with their team and explore potential styling opportunities.

2. PRIORITISE STRATEGIC NETWORKING OVER COLLECTING CONTACTS: A meaningful professional relationship is worth more than a phone full of contacts you never use.

Fashion Week can introduce you to hundreds of people, but exchanging Instagram handles or business cards is only the beginning. Focus on building genuine relationships with people whose work, interests or professional goals align with yours.

Introduce yourself confidently, communicate what you do clearly and show genuine interest in other people’s work. Avoid approaching every interaction as an immediate opportunity to sell your services.

3. CAPTURE CONTENT WITHOUT NEGLECTING YOUR CLIENTS: Your visibility should strengthen your professional reputation, not compromise your responsibilities.

You can create a simple shot list before each event. Capture essential moments efficiently, and always obtain permission before filming clients, backstage activities or restricted areas, get the right access pass for a more seamless flow of your conten creaion.

4. DOCUMENT YOUR STYLING PROCESS: Do not just show the finished look; demonstrate the thinking and expertise behind it. Your value as a fashion stylist goes beyond selecting clothes. It includes research, visual direction, garment selection, accessorising, fittings, problem-solving and translating a creative brief into a finished look.

Where appropriate and permitted, document these stages to show your audience the professional work behind the final result. This can help potential clients, designers and collaborators understand your expertise.

5. CONNECT WITH PHOTOGRAPHERS, DESIGNERS, MODELS AND MEDIA: Build relationships with the people who contribute to the fashion ecosystem you want to grow in. Fashion Week brings together professionals with complementary skills and audiences. Photographers can support your editorial portfolio, designers can become future collaborators, models can connect you with creative teams, and media professionals can introduce your work to new audiences.

Approach conversations with clarity and professionalism. Explain your area of expertise, ask thoughtful questions and look for opportunities where both parties can benefit.

THE BOOKED & BRANDED REMINDER

You do not need to attend every show, know everyone in the room or post every moment to make Fashion Week worthwhile.

Be intentional about where you go, how you present yourself, the relationships you nurture and the professional value you bring to every room.

Your work, conduct and consistency should communicate your expertise even after the season ends.

Hope you found this helpful, let us know which of this style guides you will be implementing this lagos fashion week.

Remember: style isn’t just fashion — it’s business.

Booked & Branded by MAYREEJAY
Helping fashion stylists build stronger brands, smarter businesses and sustainable careers.

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Lagos Fashion Week Stylist Guide ; Part 1

backstage of fashion week

Your Lagos Fashion Week Stylist Guide

Show up prepared. Work smarter. Build your brand.

Lagos Fashion Week is more than the runway. It is an opportunity to learn, connect, create and position yourself within the fashion industry.

Whether you’re an emerging stylist or an established creative, this practical guide from international fashion stylist Mayreejay, shares 10 essential tips to help you navigate Fashion Week with greater preparation, confidence and intention.

YOUR FASHION WEEK CHECKLIST

Download your free Lagos Fashion Week Stylist Guide and get ready to make the most of the experience.

DOWNLOAD THE FREE GUIDE

Created by MAYREEJAY
Fashion Consultant | Stylist | Creative Director

Booked & Branded by MAYREEJAY — Style is more than fashion. It’s business.

Follow along on Instagram: @mayreejay and @bookedandbrandedbymayreejay

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Lagos Fashion Series

Lagos Fashion Series is a curated expression of the city’s creative pulse, where designers, culture, and storytelling meet. Through powerful visuals and intentional styling, we spotlight the minds shaping fashion in Lagos, transforming their inspiration into timeless narratives the world can see, feel, and remember. 

Lagos doesn’t follow fashion. It defines it.

In this first series, we featured three lagos brands rooted in craftmanship, heritage and artistry.

Josh Amor is a premium menswear house rooted in heritage, artistry, and the quiet power of regal masculinity.The brand is built on intention,  where every design is tailored to communicate power, presence, and purpose.

Josh Amor draws inspiration from African heritage, architectural form, and the discipline of modern tailoring.It explores how structure, proportion, precision and restraint can be used to express identity and individuality.

Josh Amor

ASO was birthed from a desire to document the creative explorations of its founder and Creative Director, Ajide Daniels. Translating personal expression into wearable form. 

Rooted in storytelling and driven by a curiosity for the future, the brand explores the intersection of culture, architecture, and identity. Each piece serves as a continuation of this journey, where fashion becomes a medium for both reflection and imagination.

Aso.ng

Ola Reay explores the intersection of art and contemporary African expression. 

This bridge is the representation of elevated artisanal artistry. 

We are a Nigerian origin design label exploring with a focus on form, texture, and storytelling; often drawing from elevated handcrafted processes, and modern cross cultural silhouettes. With a design language that centers around refined detail- creating garments that are wearable art. 

We are building a globally respected African origin luxury house that exports not only garments, but perspective, heritage, and innovation.

OlaReay

For more fashion editorials follow me on Mayreejay

Creative Team Credits:

Curated and Produced by @mayreejay

Photography : @kolaoshalusi

Creative Director : @godwin.okoruwa

Fashion stylist :@mayreejay

Hair Artistry :@tonysbeautyace

Makeup Artistry : @mzpreyemakeovers

Female model: Victory  @pagesmodels

Accessories :@mjstylefacctory_

Male model : Johnbosco @ledmgmt

Video: @studio6ixreels

Production assistant: @inimage_ 

production assiatnt: @officialcasparmicheal

Location : Insignia Studios

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London Fashion Week 2023; CATWALK/PRESENTATION HIGHLIGHTS

London fashion week this season was definitely one for the books . Despite the bipolar weather, change in location for British fashion Council and lots of independent show spaces, I must say that the fashions were still giving fashion and a breath of fresh air.

Here is a rundown of some of my favourite looks from different runway shows and presentations I attended in no particular order. Each show had a distinct effect and story theme that made me excited for how far we truly have come in being sustainable, and creative in the fashion industry and also how inclusive and versatile garments can be. After all, fashion is to be enjoyed right?….

Noon by Noor

Noon By Noor ”Moonlit” collection was Inspired by the duality of light and shade seen in the moon, the collection personifies the balance of contrasting elements across colors, fabrics, structure, mood, and silhouette.

CLAUDIA WANG ” Temporal Rose Second Quadrant, I really loved this collection, I loved the head scarf. The play on colorsand the floral details. The collection was inspired by the playfulness of virtual spaces. This presentation exhibits her exciting new collection that works to highlight the importance of video games to enhance our conception of the physical world.

CLAUDIA WANG

Fashionscout featured the future collective with designers like Maxmillian Raynor, Gazal Mishra and Kim Peters, here are my favourite looks from their capsule collection.

Ghazal Mishra had a bohemian vibe. Kim Peters had lovely motif details and lace like patterns on her garments while maxmillian Raynor featured frill, sheer, animal prints in his collection.

The FJU Talents SS24 LFW Catwalk Show, showcased the capsule collections ofChiang Wen Hsuan, Chen You Chen, Allison Tsoi andChen Yi Xuan, along with a 10-look group show from the FJU Department of Textiles and Clothing.

Here are some of my favourite looks from each capsule collection.

Its safe to say that spring summer 2024 is sure going to be a fun season where we get to play with colors like metallic, primary colors, lots of sheers clothing, over size pieces and must I add very comfortable self expressive garments.

For more of my London fashion week diary, head over to my INSTAGRAM page and profile highlights.

stay tuned for my fashion week style diary.

Love and light Always…

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Conversations with Nature

I remember thinking to myself and day dreaming of a day at the seas side but this time not just for letting my hair down but to create timeless art and make some magic with Nigerian photographer Ari labadi .

We wanted to capture the conversations that can be had with nature and our Muse the amazing multi talented actor, host, and all round media girl Folustorms brought that all to reality.

Enjoy

Wardrobe : Sally Bawa Lagos , isi Atagamen and mayreejay

Creative direction and styling: Maryanne Alabi Photography : Ari Labadi Muse : Folustorms Makeup artist: cynellah makeoversAccessories: Mjsstylefactory

For more diary of a fashion stylist follow me www.instagram.com/mayreejay

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Heavenly Bodies; A fashion Editorial

Photographed by : @arilabadi
Creative direction and styling: @mayreejay
Makeup artist : @mzpreyemakeovers
Model : @thedoyinshow
Dress : @mysallybawa
Hat : @mjsstylefactory
Scarf: @mjsstylefactory

The things we see are temporal but that which we do not see are eternal and a timeless beauty that words can not explain.

Enjoy,

How awesome is this Editorial?

Make sure to follow my instagram for daily style diary, MAYREEJAY

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High Voltage; A Fashion Editorial

Dark and sparkly shades to create a funky and attention grabbing silhouette, all because she is a Rock Star.

Enjoy,

Editorial Credits

Creative direction and styling: @mayreejay

Photography: @ifeoluwaar

Model : @cymbeart

Makeupartist: @sarahajagbemua

Sequin tassel blazer : @mysallybawa

Body suit : @mysallybawa

Earrings : @mjsstylefactory

Neckpieces: @mjsstylefactory

Rings: @mjsstylefactory

Boots: stylist’closet

Leather pants: Stylist’s closet

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Lagos Fashion Design Week 2022; Favourite Looks

It’s another season of lagos fashion design week and its always an exciting season for fashion enthusiasts, stylists, designers and the fashion industry as a whole.

This season of lagos fashion design week saw a ton of great shows both on and off schedule and I must say I’m excited for all of the trends for spring summer 2023

In no particular order, here are a few of my favourite looks from spring summer 2023 runway shows .

what trend and colors do you see yourself wearing next season, comment below and let me know.

All photos are exclusively by kola oshalushi and Lagos design week.

Follow me on Instagram @mayreejay for my diary of a fashion stylist.

Xo