I matriculated to New York City 13 years ago by way of Northern Virginia but I was born in Accra, Ghana. I recently got married in France to a Frenchman, who also happens to be my photographer. We live in Park Slope, Brooklyn where we spend hours creating content, cooking and frequently entertaining friends in our backyard garden. 

Makeda wears the Odette Midi Dress in Limoncello

My Ghanaian upbringing is what has inspired my love of bold prints and colorful fabrics in feminine silhouettes. Prints and bold colors are still part of my style DNA but I now gravitate towards season-less styles that I can wear year round with the addition of layers when the NYC weather gets frigid. 

The longest and most important relationship we will ever have is the one with ourselves so it’s important to love the skin you’re in. Yes we all have room for improvement, but the baseline should be self love and for the world around us to recognize that and feed into that. We should be able to wear whatever we want, however we want and whenever we want without fear of judgment and ridicule.

I wear whatever I want based on how I want to feel that day but I find outfit inspiration on the streets of Brooklyn. There are some uber stylish men and women in NYC. I catalog and file away outfits that I see while people watching at brunch, on the subway and sightseeing.

My mom hands down is my role model. She’s tough, resilient and tenacious. If I can be half the woman she is, I’ll consider myself lucky. She doesn’t cower in the face of adversity and loves without boundaries. I always marvel at how much she’s able to make space at her table for others. She instilled her sense of community and charity in me and for that I’m forever grateful.

Follow along on Instagram @glamazondiaries

Honestly there are no style rules. It’s about wearing what makes you feel like a rockstar. Don’t let the opinion of others deter you from wearing the bold print or vibrant color. When in doubt, find an influencer or celebrity with your body type and copy and paste but add your own twist to the outfit. 

I’m looking forward to our annual European summer vacation to see family and friends in France and Germany and a long awaited trip to Ghana to introduce hubby to my extended family.

The prints and the vibrant colors, which align so well with my style DNA.

Tell us how you’re styling your Mestiza piece and where you’re wearing it!  The thing that drew me to Odette was the lemon print set against the turquoise canvas. This dress is such a statement on its own but I wanted to add a splash of more color by wearing my yellow Cult Gaia mules. The dress doesn’t need much but I added these gorgeous earrings, also from Mestiza and my Celine sunnies.