As summer draws to a close party season is just around the corner. We welcomed Zezi Ifore to The Standard, London to get glammed up in our famous Deluxe Studio Suite with Terrace, ready to take on the Cult Beauty end of Summer soirée in sweeties.
Zezi is an artist, broadcaster, DJ and all-round tastemaker known for not just one thing, but everything at once. Her creative reach cuts across music, fashion, beauty and entertainment with an ease that feels both instinctive and intentional.
Her Instagram bio simply reads “across all cultural spheres” and that she is. From her early days writing for influential magazines while launching her DJ career, to her current roles as a contributing editor at British Vogue and a regular voice on NTS Radio with her Palm Wine Club monthly radio show, Zezi embodies the pulse of culture across continents as it shifts and evolves.
Scroll down for Zezi’s take on beauty, music and effortless style.
Which musician is your lifelong hair inspiration?
It’s got to be Diana Ross… always.
Most formative album cover?
Missy Elliot — Da Real World, lifechanging to this day.
Desert island album & luxury item of clothing?
An album I can listen to top to toe for eternity is Mariah Carey’s seminal Emancipation of Mimi aka the greatest comeback album of all time. I’d go deluxe and take the 20th Anniversary edition which came out this year and features fab new remixes from Solange, Kaytranada and more alongside classic remixes, b-sides, acapellas… HEAVEN.
My luxury item would be the Guo Pei yellow gown Rihanna wore to the MET Gala in 2015 — exquisite and outrageously plush, I’d get so much pleasure just from looking at it. Aside from swishing around in it, which I’d do daily, I could repurpose it in so many ways … duvet, marquee (draped over some palm trees), i’m sure i could fashion it into a hammock too…endless fun.
What NTS radio show do you listen to whilst doing your own glam?
My favourite tiny dancer Shy One never lets me down — style + selection is always A1.
Best thing to eat when you’re in a hair & makeup chair?
Candyfloss and champagne darling!
Underrated beauty product?
Not sure if it’s underrated but NARS Hot Escape Afterglow lip oil in Orgasm is my absolute fave for a hi-shine, wet look lip. It’s limited edition and the thought of running out keeps me up at night.
Ultimate Icon?
Is of course my mother. Mama Ifore is my forever fave, my style icon, my life guru, the person I stole my face from… all of the most treasured things in my wardrobe are hers, like the beautiful red aso oke I wore to The British Fashion Awards in 2021 which was one of her original designs from the 90s. An extremely wise woman, to me she embodies what it means to be DEEPLY ICONIC.
Favourite colour to wear & how does it make you feel?
I love wearing red, it makes me feel hot-blooded, charged and potent.
What interview are you most proud of hosting or writing?
I’ve been really fortunate to speak to so many people I love and admire over the years whether for my radio show Palm Wine Club, magazine features or live events and every conversation is always illuminating in it’s own way but I interviewed Skin for a feature around the release of her autobiography ‘It Takes Blood And Guts’ (an excellent read btw) and it was a real moment for my younger self.It was over zoom but her warmth and energy was just everything, I cried as soon as the call ended. Also Luca Guadagnino for NTS was very special to me — he told me “the margins are a powerful place to be” and I think about that all the time.
Where do you go when you need to be inspired?
Just the act of going for a walk in and of itself is usually enough to loosen up the cogs but Queen’s Wood in Highgate is extra special to me.
After getting glammed up against the backdrop of city lights in our Deluxe Studio Suite with Terrace, complete with sweeping London views and cosy interiors - Zezi proved it’s the perfect setting to slip into something iconic before heading out. Book in with one of our offers and turn our suite into your own moment.
