Welcome to the latest, highly exciting instalment of Who What Wear UK’s Best Wardrobes in Britain. It’s where we do exactly what it says on the tin: delve into the most fantastical, awe-inspiring and downright influential wardrobes. We’re honing in on the people who cause the street style photographers to press their shutters as well as the characters you don’t yet know—the ones who fly under the radar with secretly incredible clothing collections that are well worth seeing.
It’s apparent as soon as you meet Marilyn Nwawulor-Kazemaks that there is more to her than meets the eye. Those who might know her by her Instagram alias @nlmarilyn (currently at over 21k followers) will be familiar with her brand of polished, casual-cool style, but might not know her impressive sporting history. When the once Under 20 European Championship medallist talks about the future now, the focus is not fashion, but her first love, athletics–and she’s not afraid to dream big, “My next goal? The Olympics,” she says, and with years of rigorous training under her belt, it’s well within her grasp.
Welcoming us into her home gives an insight into her busy lifestyle, and just how many different hats she wears at once. A mother to Leona, an influencer, an entrepreneur and an athlete, when we catch up in between her daughter’s naps and her next training session, we discuss Chanel pumps as Cocomelon plays in the background.
Who better, then, to allow us a look inside their varied wardrobe than one of street style’s most double tapped influencers and British Athletics next rising stars? Keep scrolling to find out how Nwawulor-Kazemaks has been using content creation to discover and develop her own sense of style, how she manages to balance fashion and function, and how a woman with so many pairs of shoes chooses what to wear in the morning.
As an athlete, a mum, a brand owner and a content creator, you’re clearly multifaceted. How do you dress differently for each of these roles?
I think the minimalist aesthetic runs through the majority of my outfits—everything I wear I tend to keep simple. When I’m building a look, I always try to have one statement piece and to keep the others subtle yet complimentary in order to be versatile. The only time that I really dress differently is for training as that has to prioritise ease of movement, but even then, I always stick to a minimal colour palette.
You’re a born and bred Londoner, what would you say is the typical London girl style?
It’s so hard to describe “London girl style” as it’s so diverse—there’s so much eclectic style in this city, and that’s what I find the most inspiring. If I had to, I’d categorise London style in two groups: The casual uniform of an easy blazer and/ or oversized jumper, jeans and ankle boots, or styled up in a bold dress and knee-high boot. They seem to be the go-to outfits you see most women wearing on rotation here, and both of those looks definitely speak to my personal style.
If we looked through your wardrobe on any given day what would we find?
You would see automatically see a lot of coats, shirts, blazers and jeans. I love easy basics like neutrals and jersey as they make such a great foundation for all my outfits. But, I’m also slowly building my collection of statement and investment pieces to add points of interest. This year I’ve been much better at shopping smart with purchases, and some items are sat on my wish list for months before I buy them because any item I commit to, it’s because I genuinely love it and it works well with everything I already have in my wardrobe.
At Who What Wear we’re big advocates of the hard-working capsule wardrobe too. So, if we go back to what inspires your look, who are the style icons who have had the biggest impact on you and why?
Designer Lisa Folawiyo, Hailey Bieber and Lori Harvey are top of the list. I wouldn’t say they have had a direct impact on my style per se as I tend to find inspiration in all aspects of everyday life, but I do find myself taking notes on certain outfits or items they have and seeing how they work for me.
I only started content creation in early 2019, and ever since then I think you can tell that I’m experimenting with my personal style trying to find what best suits me. Although I would say that I am a self-confessed minimalist, I really love streetwear and weaving in the occasional pops of colour.
If you could wear one outfit for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
It would definitely consist of a blazer and then maybe for comfort, tracksuit bottoms. Blazers finish off every look so well, especially if they’re oversized with broad shoulders and a strong silhouette.The only thing that’s stopping me from wearing blazers indefinitely is the current drop in temperature. But, I also live in tracksuits, inside and outside of the house, depending on what occasion I’m heading out to. Smart-casual will always be my go-to look.
What is the most treasured item in your wardrobe?
Ah, there are so many important pieces in my wardrobe, but if I had to choose, the one I cherish the most are my Balenciaga cut-out boots that my husband bought for me for Christmas back in 2014. They were my first ever designer piece, and although I don’t wear them as much now, I can never part from them for the sheer sentimental value.
What is your most indulgent purchase?
It has to be my Hermés Birkin 35, a pre-loved purchase from Vestiare Collective that I had been saving for quite a few months for, and was lucky to be offered a really good price on! I hadn’t even finished saving for it but I was thankfully in a position to cover the remaining balance—I was not going to miss out on this deal! I absolutely love the 25 too, but its slightly too small for me. I need a bag that will carry all of the essentials, and Leona’s too.
What is a piece of style advice that would you pass onto your daughter?
Always experiment and don’t be afraid to be yourself! The latter is definitely easier said than done, and the new generation is so much more advanced especially technologically than I was. It might be a challenge to ensure Leona filters out the outside noise and resists peer pressure but it’s something that I’m determined to work hard at to try and make sure that she develops her into her own style positively and as a self assured and confident young girl and woman.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever been given?
Work smarter not harder. And don’t worry too much about what people think about you, they don’t do it often as you think. The second definitely applies a lot in athletics, as I often put so much pressure on myself when competing and training which can sometimes lead to underperformance. Usually when I compete well it is because I have stood on the start line completely relaxed, or I have no idea what kind of shape I’m in. Both scenarios remove all forms of personal pressure, But it’s so crazy just how powerful the mind can be!
You set up your own clothing brand a couple of years ago. What was the inspiration behind MNK and what can we expect next for the brand?
MNK was born out of frustration during lockdown, because as a tall athlete it was always a struggle to find clothes that catered to a body type that didn’t seem to fit within fashion’s measuring table, and I set out to create a brand that could. I launched my first collection of quality loungewear titled The Everyday Collection as the aim us to create a brand focused on quality, comfort, and affordability with a realistic woman in mind.
I’m slowly working on my next collection now which will be very different from the first and mirrors my minimal, tailored style which is very exciting. Watch this space.
Thanks for having us, Marilyn!
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