I’m fairly new to the virtual fashion world, so everyday I get to discover yet another new fellow fashionista with amazing, unique style and talents that definitely deserve some recognition on La Mimi. I have decided to incorporate those stylish ladies and gentelmen into my fashion idol of the week section.

This week’s fashion idol of the week is Marian. She’s absolutely terrific at creating destinctive outfits and bringing them into her everyday life.

Marian is wearing in the photo attached:
Black TopShop blazer self customised
Gold lace dress bought in charity shop
Vintage studded leather belt bought in secondhand market in Tanzania
Tights by pretty polly
Booties by Kurt Geiger
Black denim hat by unknown brand
Necklace is self customised
Black plastic bangle from charity shop.

1. Name, age, location?

name:Marian Kihogo
age: almost 27
location: London,UK

2. What do you do for a living?

I am fashion & personal stylist and personal shopper, I own THE HOUSE OF STYLE. I also work as a fashion writer and more recently blog about my adventures in fashion and my personal style for fun.

3. Where do you draw your inspirations?

Everything and anything… I am a big fan of old period films. The
costumes fascinate me to no end! Other major inspirations are varied
architecture, music and art in a slightly obsessive way. I am in love
with art, I paint and if it had not been fashion it surely would have
been art. Finally at an all time high for me is people watching. I was
people watching at the mall as a child. I have been intrigued by the
way people wore their clothes way before the street style sites became
popular. Back then in primary school my friends thought I was a little
peculiar because of it! It is not so much what people are wearing but
it?s why they wear it and the manner in which they do.

4. Favorite designers?

Too many to name here but a few that endlessly inspire countless
hosts of designers are Comme des Garçons and Martin Margiela for
deconstructed manipulation and experimentation. I like how both
designers challenge pre-conceived notions of what beauty and fashion
are supposed to be. In addition, forward thinking Balenciaga for
fearless innovation.

5. Favorite shopping destination?

Charity/thrift shops as you never know what you might find; it is
the unexpected find that thrills the most. I also love how they
inspire creativity. I’ve found coats that became dresses and vice
versa, skirts that looked better as dresses and the most interesting
vintage finds.

6. What current trend are you loving the most?

I absolutely love the back to black trend otherwise known as the
dark romantic trend. It is the season of the ‘bad girl’ all the
way,whether her roots be in punk,goth,rock or grunge. Think copious
amounts of black but in highly tactile and textural fabrics i.e. lace,
devore, velvet, sequins, silk, faux fur, leather etc all thrown
together for devastating effect. Less Morticia Adams more Givenchy
this season ;o). I like this trend as due to the limited colour
palette, designers were forced to be more innovative with their design.

7. Three words to describe your overall sence of style?

This is a hard one as my style is ever evolving and is chaotic
jumble of influences. Maybe …TAILORED-NOSTALIC-ROCK & ROLL. Ok so
that is four words but I did say it would be hard ;~)!