Tag: Maryanne Alabi

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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 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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Wolf Dancer; A Style Story


Photographed by : @mrarilabadi
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creative direction and styling: @mayreejay⁣⁣⁣
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Makeup artist : @mzpreyemakeovers⁣⁣⁣
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Model : @thedoyinshow⁣⁣⁣
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Wardrobe: @mayreejay⁣⁣
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Accessories: @mjsstylefactory⁣⁣⁣
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Scarf: @mjsstylefactory⁣⁣⁣

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5 Ways To Style A Nude Utilitarian Dress ; Quicks 5s

Shirt Dress from Zara

Nude and neutrals are very easy seamless colors to style and they are must have have in your closet. They serve as an alternative to the color white. Also, the utilitarian trend ( pieces with outer pockets )is also a hit this year, so why not try two trends in one.

The style focus is a nude utilitarian shirt dress and the functionality of it.

Look 1: Tres Chic
Style this dress by undoing some buttons on the top and the base , so you can show a little skin if that is your jam, if not just wear it as it is.
Throw on a nice pair of mules of your choice, either chunky, high or kitten heel mules to give it an extra chic look, don’t forget to add some gold or fun accessories to finish this look.

Look 2: Rock Star
For a retro and funky look, throw on a denim jacket and some some boots,and get ready to rock and roll. If you do not have a pair of boots, simply opt for a pair of ankle length shoes, and don’t forget to throw on some dark shades. it sure will do the trick.


Look 3: Two- piece magic
For a more playful look, layer this dress with a floral skirt, which turns it to a two- piece look, so chic and very stylish. I added a belt to break this look so it really does look like a two serprate pieces and threw on a pair of mules to elevate this look.
The trick to achieve this, is to wear either a long or midi length skirt.


Look 4: `Glam Bam
To elevate this look three notches higher, I went with a pair of fringed out boot leg denim, tucked in one side of this dress threw on a nice pair of pointed kitten heel shoes.
Bonus tip: Un-button one side of the dress, tuck it in loosely into a gorgeous pair of pants , add some statement earrings, for a more glam look, in this case, i added long fringed earrings to go with the fringe on my denim pants.



Look 5: Cover Up
This dress can jolly well serve as a cover up jacket on a night out.
To achieve this look, I went for a leopard print body suit top paired with a pair of brown leather pants, gold statement earrings and finished off with a pair of snake skin print strappy heel.
Bonus tip: Pull out a sultry but comfortable look for a night out as you desire and opt for a shirt dress as a cover up jacket, jazz it up with statement shoes and accessories and get ready to hit the dance floor.



I hope you enjoyed this style tutorial and will try this trend with a little more zest like i did.

Let me know in the comment section below, which look is your favorite.

Also, what style trend will you like to see next?

Make sure to follow @MAYREEJAY

for daily style diary:

Love and light always,
Mayreejay

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5 ways To Style A Slip Dress : Quick 5s

Slipdress from forever21

Look 1: With a pair of Mules
This immediately takes this simple slip dress to another level, making it very chic, classy and sexy enough to head on out for cocktails.
It is important to note that any style of mules of your choice will give you the same chic feeling, so go on and have fun with your favorite pair. *wink

Look 2: Worn with a flare skirt.
A flare skirt elevates this dress, giving it so much character, while turning it into a two – piece outfit.
The key is to pair a contrasting color of skirt with the dress or you can jolly well wear the same color so it looks like a matching set.

Look 3: White T-shirt.
Wearing a white t-shirt with a slip dress can be quite magical. it gives you a casual yet retro effortless style. worn over the slip dress or as a layered piece, a white tee is surely a magic trick for that sporty type feel .
Add a pair of white sneakers to this look and some bomb shades and you are so good to go.
*Bonus trick: A pair of dad sandals , is also a very good style idea when wearing a tee with a slip dress.


Look 4: Drape with a kimono
You definitely want to turn that simple slip dress into the best night out / dinner date head turning outfit.
The key is to play with the style of kimono. it could be sequined , beaded , printed, lacy, long, mid- length, whatever your preference may be, just drape it on that dress, add some nice sparkly accessories and nice pair of heels and let your hair down.


Look 5: Level-up with a blazer.

This may be an unexpected style idea but trust me when i say a blazer immediately takes you three notches up.
Pairing a blazer with a slip dress tells the story of a powerful, sexy, confident woman, who knows what she wants. This look commands attention and power. it will get the contracts signed faster, lol
The key is to opt for an over size blazer, don’t have one, simply head on to your man’s closet, or your brother or dad’s, your options will be endless. * wink


Most importantly, make sure to always stay true to your style preference but its fun to be adventurous.
keep it simple but have tons of fun while dressing up.
style should be enjoyed.

Let me know which is your favorite look in the comment section below, and don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @mayreejay for my daily style diary.

More Mjs Quick style coming soon

Love and light always,
Mayreejay

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Heneiken Lagos Fashion Week 2019; Mayreejay’s Favourite runway shows

Every fashion week there will always be some shows that made us happy, cry, breathless and left us looking for our bottom jaws. This season of the Heineken Lagos Fashion show was nothing short of all these overflowing fashion moments and emotions.

In no particular order, here are my top favorite runway shows from Heineken Lagos Fashion Week 2019.

UGO MONYE

He has become one of our favorite menswear brands, known for his intricate and one of a kind detailed statements on menswear. This collection featured an Arabian / Egyptian theme with colors from blue, tangerine, grey and burgundy. He sure puts on a show for us.

STYLE TEMPLE

Style Temple is one show I look forward to seeing every season, and this time we sure were not disappointed. This collection featured whimsical, sexy but very wearable show-stopping pieces, in blush pink, metallic silver, blue and white.

ATAFO

Mai Atafo debuted a new brand name Atafo with three capsules of breathtaking collections, featuring a burst of colors in two-piece suits, gingham pieces that had Swarovski details on some , as well as boxy tops accessorized with hats that gave you a cross between utilitarian /Russian vibe pieces in tan, navy blue, and nude. He got a standing ovation for this collection

JZO

They featured bright colors in plaid, wearable and very functional pieces for men and women.

HOUSE OF KAYA

This collection was surely a favorite as I am an avid lover of kimonos, kaftans, and headwraps. The styling of this collection made it a timeless piece best for every woman.

EMMY KASBIT

Emmy always celebrates the Nigerian culture with authentic and homegrown fabrics that stand the test of time. I loved the play of fluidity with the fabrics, and the colors infused with aso- oke was amazing.

EJIRO AMOS TAFIRI

This collection featured a lot of African infused fabrics in Tye dye, Aso oke and flowy pieces in champagne color, tan and blue, as well as headwraps as accessories. E.A.T has always been one of my favorite Nigerian fashion brands.

ADAMA PARIS

Her collection had a disco-like feel. very chic, sexy and had lots of 90’s theme to it with lots of sequins and black in sheer.

CHRISTIE BROWN

I am constantly living for this brand. always blown away at how she mixes different textures with Ankara and still wow us every single season.

SISIANO

A collection so fluid, so calm like starring at the waves on the sea beautifully in harmony, that’s just how I felt about this collection. loved every single piece.

AWA MIETE

This Malian fashion brand gave me everything I look for in a collection, a story that takes you directly to the creative process of a collection. This collection celebrates the beauty and richness Africa stands for. I would gladly have every piece in my closet.

ASSIAN

Assian had a very strong theme with very versatile unisex pieces. I loved how his collection showed us a variety of sizes different from what the brand is known for. I definitely see myself rocking one of these pieces.

RICK DUSI

The infusion of solid colors mixed with floral prints and gold metallic pieces accessorized with oversize tote bags had me in love with this collection.

This runway show breakdown is your best style prediction to help you slay and be a show stopper all year round up till 2020.

I hope you found it useful and fun?

For your daily style diary, see more on my Instagram