20th December 2023, by Astrid Carter | Read time: 9 minutes
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From her kaleidoscope of colour and polka dot wedding dress to her more is more interiors aesthetic, Heart Zeena, AKA Zeena Shah, certainly isn’t afraid of a bit of colour. The content creator and author has made a name for herself on Instagram for just that, amassing an incredible 115K and counting followers who dip into her little squares to see nothing short of joyful shade, print and perfectly curated clashes on the reg. So who better to round up a year of Tastemakers columns than with the most joyful of them all?
Here, Zeena chats us through her incredible wedding looks, who she’s inviting to her dream dinner party and where to shop for quirky interiors.
You are known for your love of colour and dopamine dressing. How would you describe your own style?
It’s really a reflection of who I am, it’s very unique, very fun, very creative and very colourful. The more I wear colour the more I want to wear it, it’s become a bit of an addiction and life really is too short not to live in colour when it brings such joy.
What’s your earliest memory of fashion?
It’s definitely watching my mum put her outfits together. She would drag my sisters and I around the shops for hours when we were little and she was always very stylish and creative with her outfits. Along with a passion for vintage, second-hand hunting and crafting.
@babba – I’d like one of everything in Babba’s wardrobe, please.
Do you ever just wear a grey hoodie and sweats?
Haha absolutely not, grey is just not one of my colours and I was recently telling a friend I just don’t do ‘sweats’. I’ve got some gorgeous cosy knitted loungewear but it’s pink, of course.
It’s clear you have an incredible way of styling accessories. What’s your approach to adding the finishing touches to a look?
I love the high-low approach and how an accessory can really transform and elevate a look. Beaded and jewelled bags are my favourite options, but I love belting floral dresses and layering knitwear too. I like to tell a story with my outfits and often use colour as a way to pull everything together. Don’t underestimate the power of a great hat in winter too.
What fashion brands are you loving right now?
I’m obsessed with Shrimps, I always love their statement coats and party wear, and Maje for some gorgeous timeless and cosy pieces. Farm Rio is another one on my wish list right now, they have some beautiful colourful pieces. I’m a huge fan of Alemais and their sensational prints that keep getting better every season. I’ve also got my eye on a Kika Vargas dress for party season.
Your own wardrobe! I’ve collected some beautiful pieces over the years so it’s always my first port of call and I’d definitely suggest shopping your own wardrobe first. Sequins and sparkly knitwear never go out of fashion.
If you’re looking for something special I love Florere, Whistles and Jigsaw for their timeless and elegant style. I’m also a huge fan of Sézane and they always nail party season dressing with the perfect metallics and sparkly knits. And I always have my CASETiFY phone case to elevate the finishing look and get those party selfies.
I love Ganni, Sézane, Maje, Boden and Reformation for knits. On the high street, Uniqlo cashmere is such good value and comes in a rainbow of colours.
What was the last thing you bought fashion wise?
I splurged on a pink Loewe Puzzle shoulder bag for my birthday, it was love at first sight. She goes with everything and fits an unexpected amount of things in too. They are worth the hype and will only get better with age. I also love that I can dress it up and down.
Your incredible wedding was featured in Vogue. Tell us about the theme and the journey to finding your stunning dresses?
Being able to write about our wedding in Vogue was such a pinch-me moment. After numerous postponements due to the pandemic we were just so thrilled to be able to go ahead and If it wasn’t for all the delays I wouldn’t have had so much time to look at dresses. I was very extra and had five different looks. An Anglo-Indian Lengha was one of my favourites, bringing our cultures together with a modern twist. Charlie Brear and I worked together to design a bespoke outfit for the evening reception and party. I had a feather skirt that I felt a million dollars in, as well as a delicate tulle cape with polka dot hearts all over it that was so beautiful and so very me.
How would you describe your interiors style?
Much like my fashion style, to be honest. Eclectic, colourful and all about having fun with print, pattern and colour clashing. I definitely draw inspiration from Scandi style. I love combining vintage with IKEA and am always searching for something home decor-related on eBay. I live in a rented, one-bedroom flat in east London so there isn’t much room to dress it but we’ve definitely transformed a boring white box into a space that has personality.
What interiors brands are you currently lusting over?
All of the stripes from Colours of Arley, Bettina Ceramics’ vessels, Straw London’s wicker vases, Anna + Nina’s painted bow plates, everything at Anthropologie and Arket home.
What are your top tips for shopping vintage and pre-loved?
Keywords are everything when shopping online, the more specific you can be the better. Patience and persistence are also required for vintage shopping success, don’t get put off if you don’t find something incredible the first time you go looking, you’ve got to play the long game. I pop into my local charity shops and vintage stores regularly, as you really never know what you might find.
What was the last thing you bought for your home?
Some vintage ‘70s coloured glass candlestick holders form eBay. I collect them and have been building up my colourful collection ready for my festive table setting.
Do you have any rules for bringing colour into the home?
There really are no rules, it’s all about creating a mood. I’ve got quite a hectic life so I love being in a calming, comforting space when I come home. Surrounding myself with uplifting and colourful shades and textures really does make me feel zen.
Tell us about marbling and the book you wrote?
I have a BA in Textile Design from Chelsea School of Art and it wasn’t until lockdown that I found time to revisit my passion for printmaking. Marbling is an endangered craft and one that is utterly mesmerising and so accessible, with minimal materials you really can create some incredible works of art. I started sharing DIY videos over on my instagram and before I knew it I was commissioned to write a book about the craft.
Where is great for buying gifts?
Couverture and the Garbstore, The Triangle Store, The Conran Shop, Liberty and Arket, Straw London and Glassette, to name a few.
Let’s talk about your collab with Casetify…
I’m so thrilled to have designed a marbled collection of phone cases with Casetify. I’m on a mission to bring the power of colour to everyone and what better place to find a mood boosting it of dopamine than your phone. There are five designs all featuring a hand-marbled print that I created in my east London studio before digitising. I really hope they bring all the joy as we head into winter. I’ll be changing mine up to match my outfits.
You live in London. Where is your favourite area and where do you recommend?
It would have to be my neighbourhood, Hackney. I would never leave if I didn’t have to! I love Leo’s for dinner, Brawn and Brat are big favourites, as is Cafe Cecilia and Pidgin for a special occasion. Violet Bakery is great for coffee and cake.
Where is great for brunch? One of my favourite spots is the Rochelle Canteen.
Where is great for drinks in the evening? The Red Room at the Connaught.
What are your top makeup and skincare must-haves?
Beauty Pie Under Eye Corrector – it’s incredible. A Chanel eye pencil in gold and Merit’s Beauty Highlighter. For skin, it has to be 111Skin’s Black Diamond Skin Emulsion., Sunday Riley’s CEO Glow Cream and Dr Sebagh’s Retinol Night Repair
Where is on your travel wish list for 23/24?
Japan, I’ve been dying to go for years and years and next year might just be the year for it. I’d also love to go back to the Maldives, the south of France, Italy and Mauritius as well as some UK staycays as I love exploring the UK it has so many hidden gems.
What are you currently reading?
I’ve just finished Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow and am currently reading Lessons in Chemistry – both are absolutely brilliant reads I couldn’t put down. I also loved Cleopatra and Frankenstein.
Finally, the ultimate dinner party guest list. Dead or alive. Go…
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