Zinkata’s Styling Adventures: Gearing Up for Monalisa Chinda’s “Catwalq” Media Launch
Posted on Tuesday, February 7th, 2012 at 11:15 AMBy Ezinne Chinkata
I am back and this time it’s styling one of my favorite clients, Monalisa Chinda. Catwalq, a soap Monalisa produced with Emem Isong was premiering on the 1st of February. It was going to be a different type of premiere; a press premiere at 11 am! Wowser! Talk about a major style challenge! I was in a bit of a bind, and pondered what style direction to take. My thought process went as follows:
- She is the star of the soap and needs to stand out nicely during the premiere.
- It is a day time event and so the dress has to be appropriate.
- She has to appear as respectable as possible, since it is a slightly formal event.
- Monalisa is very curvy; I need to style her in a feminine but not overtly provocative manner.
- Take all this into consideration and still style her attractively.
Tall order, right? I started my hunt for the perfect dress immediately. I played with different looks in my head but I knew exactly what I wanted, and wondered where I would find it. I was going for a Marilyn Monroe inspired look, as she has the right figure and poise to carry it off. I hit pot luck almost immediately. I bought a bottle green Vintage Dress from Tope Abiola (FrockitRockIt) and I knew right away that it would work. The color would complement her skin nicely; the delightful slit in the middle for that little extra oomph. The fabric was thick and would give the right support and the cute brooch in the bust area was the exact amount of bling needed.
I rushed off to Monalisa’s with a very confident strut! I knew I had my ‘A’ game on and the dress was going to fit super perfectly. She tried it on, it fit slightly loosely and the length was a bit awkward. However, I could see the big picture and knew that with a little bit of reconstruction, the dress would be beyond perfect! Monalisa, God bless her pretty soul, went with my suggestions. Kemmy Solomon of kemkemstudio did an amazing job reworking and shortening the length of the dress.
I finished off the look with an exact shade of green purse , from Ruby and Pink, which I found just by chance! The gods were certainly smiling at me! The shoes were a bit of a struggle. I needed a pair that would tone down the whole look. I decided on the tan pair I got from BMPro Studios, The shoes finished up the look and kept the feet area clean and simple.
I decided to wear her hair away from her face, almost like an updo, as it went very nicely with the style of the dress and looked very elegant. Minimal make-up and accessories and I had my look! She was super glad and I thought she looked amazing! Slam, Dunk,Done, Dusted!
I think I hit a home run with this one, do you agree?
Cheers!
Credits: Photography: Kola Oshalusi| Hair: Ola|Make-up: Tinuke for BmPro | Styling: Ezinne Chinkata
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Ezinne Chinkata is a leading Fashion Stylist/Image Consultant/Writer/ Fashion Editor in Nigerian Fashion. She has styled numerous lookbooks and editorials and is the current Fashion Editor at WOW! Magazine. Follow Zinkata on Twitter: @Zinkata1; Contact: ezinnechinkata@yahoo.co.uk
Tags: Ezinne Chinkata, monalisa chinda, Zinkata’s Styling Adventures
wow. Beautiful. What’s this shade of green called? I love d hairdo too. Thumbs up Zinny
I think that’s the shade called ‘jade’. It’s a precious stone.
Really? I would think that’s more of an emerald green
The shade of green is called bottle green.
No, the shade if the green is called Heineken green…
Lol… Dont mind me ooo, she says it is a bottle green dress
ooooh that colour suits her and really compliments her skin, i would not have worn that ‘type’ of shoe though, however the colour of the shoe goes well with the dress!!!
I agree with you, the style of her pumps dresses down the look a little bit (just that tiny bit more casual). Otherwise though, I love the way she toned down all the green… maybe peep-toed platform pumps in the same nude shade? Monalisa looks so pretty!
Good one zinkata..so on point with every detail..well done!
I would have settled for a gold strappy sandals. But its nice outfit. Thumbs up Zinni.
SHE LOOKS BEAUTIFUL IN GREEN CLOUR
http://www.mrs-ca.blogspot.com
She looks good!
My only issue is that she’s a tad overdressed for a day-time event. She looks like she’s going to a wedding. Maybe without the slit?
http://ajebutternysc.blogspot.com
Really? I’m looking at that dress and the slit redeems it for me, otherwise it’d have taken a turn towards frumpy.
For me, it’s just the event is for daytime – 11am. A more muted approach might have worked better. She does look great and the dress is beautiful. But for a morning event, it’s a tad much.
Thank you. This should have been a dressed down/business casual kind of event but as you usual OKE AFA NA EGBU NWA NKITA people just want to act like they know when they are really clueless. She could have looked good but dressed appropriately for the event.
Gosh she looks gorgeous!! ON POINT!@Tess says you are a hater i’m sorry to say you can’t even admit she looks good. please post your pic up let’s put it side by side and see…oh actually wait, we don’t care about what you look like
The colour looks lovely on her
http://lifethroughomaseyes.blogspot.com
she is beautiful
Wow!
What is that colour called?
Really suits her skin tone.
Well done
http://.mbgn.silverbirdgroup.com
She looked really lovely.. I don’t think the look was appropriate for d time of the event. I think a nice blouse or shirt in silk or chiffon with a pencil skirt would have sufficed. In my humble opinion.
The colour combo is on point. perfect look! good job Zinny!
i love her combination
Nyc! Iagree wiv the gold sandal idea,but den its a day time event.
Very nice look, good the length is not too short, so as not to expose her knees(coughs). Anyway. Ds. Is d best look iv seen her in so far.
Nyc muna is a beauty to behold
Loving the colour and the results, she looks hott! Well done hun x
http://www.emblemofbeauty.blogspot.com/
She looks nice but I don’t like the look for that time of day. As someone said it kind of looks like she is going to a wedding. Not a home run for me.
Hate the straps, but i love the look. gonna sew ankara with slit like that one.
Love the color of the dress, but the slit spoiled it for me. i think the strappy shoulders, sweetheart neckline and brooch were enough ‘oomph’ for me.
On a more negative note, the shoes are a no-no for me. They make her fee/legs look short and chunky, and the color doesnt quite sit right in my eyes. A strappy sandal or peeptoe pumps still in a casual colour would have made more sense, IMO.
that color is divine and she is just so gorgeous, i rarely even care about what she wears lol
http://www.ironyofashi.blogspot.com
Really daytime event???? Wonders shall never end! #justsaying
Love the ensemble. Meanwhile see enough stylists here now…
Does BM Pro studios sell shoes now?
the colour is absolutely lovely and totally complements her skin. Its a beautiful dress and well but the shoes and hair are a total no no…
wow that color is divine.she sure looks good
I don’t really feel her look for a day time event.But nice job though
The hair is simply amazing and Mona looks awesome. For a morning event though, I see too much skin. But hey, what do I know?
this gal gat legs sha
I agree with Tiki. The shoes are wrong for that dress. Monalisa has quite chunky legs and that particular style of round-toe platforms actually made her legs look thicker. A nude/gold pair in a pointy/peep-toe style would’ve lengthened her legs and complimented the dress better.
Very nice dress though with the perfect retro hairstyle to match it. Good work Zinkata!
everything is gorgeous from the head to the knees…. from the knees u start to wonder…the shoes are definitely a No-no… and do I see an anklet somewhere? Becos shez got sturdy looking legs, a more feminine shoe cut should have been the choice! But I ‘ll say “good Job!”
Not really of fan of Zinkata’s styling. To me she tries too hard. If not for Mona’s beauty, this looks a tad frumpy.
she looks really nice. I think the colour of the dress she’s wearing is called forest green.
Zinkata, just a suggestion…. Perhaps next time you have such an event, ask for suggestions a la styling competition. Give the brief (profession, complexion, height, size, type of event etc) and allow your readers and fashion commenters the chance to style. The winner/s bags an intern gig with you. Live a little!
hmmmm.can’t undastand y u use d words ‘the gods are smilin at me’.which god among d gods?
hmmm she looks great had she been going for wedding or night event- not suitable for a day event – - but then i’m not a fashionista so what do I know eh – it appears everyone else loves it -
fabulous and stylish.. loves it…. http://www.maknisy.com.ng
nice
I love this!!! Awesome…Monalisa’s skin is just flawless!
the shoes…the shoes ….the shoes…its not the best o…but great colour and cut of dress and great accesories
the dress luks gud, dont tink dis outfit is best for a mornin event
You nailed the look….but not for the appropriate time (like other commenters have pointed out). When I saw the pictures, I actually assumed it was in the evening, until I read the comments. But I think, perhaps a fitted and somewhat
jumpy jacket (maybe black or something) and a change of purses (maybe into a patch work purse with) on that dress might have easily transformed it into a morning-appropriate outfit
i’m i the only one who thinks this woman can’t even act but yet she’s highly praised
if she can’t, you would have known by now. Tonto dikeh is an example
even though i thimk Tonto Dikeh is great. it’s just her reputation that sours her acting skils
Elegant, I admire u a lot.
Real clear site, thanks for this post.