RECENT FAVORITES {V.1}
A collection of everything I visually consumed, listened to, applauded, and leaned into throughout January.
We finally made it through January and its truckload of content, and oh, do I have so much to share with you. I knew this month was going to be hectic per fashion week, but I underrated it in my usual fashion seeing that we just got here (into a new year)…like slow down, I am overwhelmed! Anyway, I gushed over and took inspiration from some 2025 haute couture and fall/winter menswear collections, soaked in a handful of street style and guest looks at fashion week, got obsessed with the streets of London through the eyes of Diji Aderogba and his Fujifilm, added an unholy amount of fashion items to my cart, dreamed of Carla Guler’s works while routinely blasting a very special combination of Leon Thomas, Brent Faiyaz, and ArrDee on the home theater, and of course caught onto a few TV shows and a million and one creatives and brands worldwide.
In this publication we keep our word, so welcome back to Chrysé, and I hope you (especially our day 1’s) are high off the fact that you are reading our first full-fledged ‘recent favorites’ log, which we just made into a monthly series. Well, if you are still sober, that should change by the end of this article. I am rooting for you!
#1: What I read (more like journaled)
Starting off is a quote I found on Substack notes by Oladimeji Ajegbile of
: “If you are wise, you will focus on changing yourself, not changing the world, because when you grow, the world around you changes naturally. Also, the world doesn’t owe you change. The sooner you accept that, the sooner you can build the life you want.” Incredible…*adds to journal*Also in my journal are wise words from Pusha T when asked “his secret” at the Louis Vuitton FW25 show in Paris… “Live good. Live easy. Be peaceful.“ I am still contemplating if it was just the words or the fact that he said it while wearing that angelic LV number.
Sophie’s latest poetry, The Safe, intrigued me! I related to it on a celestial level, but at the same time struggled with the story because as much as I take pride and maybe responsibility in being the ‘shoulder to lean on,’ more often than not I need people to leave me the f*** alone. In all, I loved it and still think of it, as it somehow sparked a conversation between all my personalities. Don’t bother about them, they will be alright!
My year-in year-out style inspiration, Tracee Ellis Ross was rightfully honored with the Fashion Trailblazer Award at the WWD Style Awards and did not fail to drop some gems on the microphone “Do not wait for events to wear your pretty clothes; you are the special occasion… Put on a red lip when you work out and just be.“
#2: What I listened to
Songs—4 months later, and the tracks on Leon Thomas’ Mutt are still a huge part of my rotation, alongside a single—Paper Soldier by Brent Faiyaz x Joony x Iso Supremacy, Sza’s deluxe project—Lana, ArrDee’s 3 year old Pier Pressure, and of course my ‘2024 Afrobeats Wrapped’ playlist from the previous article. As you can see, I barely move on from songs…it might leave me for a while but never exits the block.
Podcasts—I have always seen clips of Omondi’s fashion podcast, The Cutting Room Floor, on various platforms, but this was the first time I listened to a full episode, and it turns out I’m fond of it and have come to learn so much. You can catch all episodes on Patreon and previous seasons on Spotify. I was also very much into Toni Tone’s new pod, Toni Told Me. For gist and banter? My current favorite is The Uncut Podcast (although I prefer to watch them on YouTube). Those girls are my weekly dose of laughter and screams.
#3: What I watched
I am still not over the fact that I missed something as good as Apple TV’s ‘The Crowded Room’ (limited series) back in 2023, but hey, I am here now, so ‘listen and don’t judge,’ please and thank you. It is a 10-episode, thought-provoking psychological thriller starring the talented Tom Holland as Danny Sullivan (lead), together with Emmy Rossum, Amanda Seyfried, Sasha Lane, Lior Raz, Jason Isaacs, etc. The series was created and written by Akiva Goldsman and directed by Kornel Mundruczo, Brady Corbet, and Mona Fastvold. Let us rewind to Mr. Holland: I have always respected him as an actor, entertainer, and now entrepreneur, that it is almost difficult to articulate what seeing him in this meant to me. I’ll use two words: this was ‘refreshing’ and ‘brilliant.’
Another thriller series, Grotesquerie, is now streaming on Hulu! The performances? Theee performances?! Especially from Niecy Nash as Lois Tryon and Michaela Diamond as Sister Megan? Incredible! Love the turn of events. Love the comedic trails. Etc., etc.
Now who told Prime Video they could just go ahead and bring Harlem to an end?! The third and "final" season of the most beautiful and stupendous drama aired a few days ago on January 23rd, and I just cannot get enough.
I got around to watching Ayra Starr's docu-film on Prime Video, and it filled me with so much motivation. I really loved the direction; shout out to everyone at Home Coming and other Nigerian folks on the production team…that ‘closing credits’ gave me life!
Another round of Gabriel Basso’s masterclass is in full bloom with Shawn Ryan’s 2nd season of The Night Agent, now streaming on Netflix.
16 episodes of Fashion City Playoffs with Kit Price on his IG, and I want more! The fashion model took us on a fun journey into his career for 111 days through Paris, Milan, London, and New York. Spreading 20 points of 5 for each criterion, he rates the amount of jobs he secures, how much money he made, how much money he spent, and how much fun he had. P.S. Not London coming out on top with 16|20 points and with so much gap from the others. Who would have thought? My favorite thing about this series? It is an overdose of adventure and tomfoolery, which is very much my brand! First & last episode to propel you to watch the entire thing.
Jackie Aina launched a new series on IG, Love Letters To Her, and I am in loveeeee. I might mess around and compose a poem to that effect; I will tell you if I do.
Coming Soon
I cannot think of a better way to spend an off day than watching Genoveva Umeh (the most talented actor of my generation) do her thing on the big screen with her new film, Summer Rain. It is not February 7th yet, but I am already seated at the theater! I am also seated for class acts like Bolaji Ogunmola, Daniel Etim-Effiong, Tina Mba, Kayode Jnr Ojuolape, Femi Branch, and other amazing actors.
More on Nigerian television: another global animated picture is coming to a screen near you, and this time it is a series! IYANU (based on the graphic novel Iyanu: Child of Wonder by Roye Okupe) is voiced by Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Serah Johnson, Stella Damascus, Okey Jude, Lord Frank, Paul Utomi, Oluwafemi Olugbade, etc., and would be streamed on Cartoon Network, HBO Max, and Showmax come Spring 2025.
My dynamic director/actor duo is back with what I am sure will be one of my favorite pictures of 2025! Michael B. Jordan stars as twins in Ryan Coogler’s vampire thriller Sinners. The film follows the twins as they return to their hometown only to find a great evil welcoming them back. It will launch in theaters come April 18, 2025.
Listen, no announcement compares to knowing that the 3rd season of Gangs of London will be mine (ours) in just two months. And oh, I unsurprisingly went on a rant spree on Twitter a few minutes after the trailer aired alongside release details. I’ll summarize my rant here: It looks like Madam Marian is finally back to her senses; now would you look at that? Elliot seems uneasy…I might not care much about the man anymore, but he is on the side of the puzzle I love, and I just need him to stay alive and watch my boys, Sean and Billy Wallace, conquer this season with breath still in them. Andddd, thank you to whichever character is pissing off Luan yet again, because I live for his action scenes.
Tell a friend to tell another friend that Chinasa Anukam’s ‘Is This Seat Taken’ is back up!!! For her first date of the year, the queen of hearts will be hosting Fulham FC (Premier League) and Nigeria national team’s midfielder, Alexander Iwobi, on her show on YouTube. Things I am looking forward to in this season of ITST? The usual outrageous answers to “Dating you is like?” and the host dressed in the most fashionable costumes while casually drilling the life out of her male guests. ITST goes live on February 6th.
#4: Photo Galore
#5: Fashion Obsession
My style vibe for January was slightly YSL-coded, as seen on Wunmi Bello in Theunissen, Zöe Foster in Cos, Nonye Udeogu in LDM, Calum Harper in Ami Paris, etc.
Ayo Edebiri and Zendaya at the 2025 Golden Globes were my red carpet sensation for January, and they did not allow space for any other. Ayo referenced Julia Roberts 1990 oversized Armani suit in custom Loewe styled by Danielle Goldberg (our friends on Substack went crazy on this, as this note has now seen over 300 likes and 30 restacks—our highest ever), while Zendaya paid tribute to Black entertainment industry pioneers like Joyce Bryant in a custom Louis Vuitton burnt orange dress styled by Law Roach, of course.
Schiaparelli SS25 haute couture still has me in my feelings!!! Now I ask, is Daniel Roseberry not exhausted from constantly outdoing himself?! He shakes the fashion industry every other year, but still manages to pleasantly surprise us…I mean, continually exceeding our already high expectations is just brutal work. I want to say I would like to spend some time in his mind, but even that feels like a crime and just too much weight to bear, so I will rather say…More grease to your elbow, Mr. Roseberry! Other collections I loved from the just-concluded fashion week were Tamara Ralph, Georges Hobeika, Armani Privé, Jean Paul Gaultier, Gaurav Gupta, and Ashi Studio for the SS25 haute couture season; Amiri, Dolce & Gabbana, Acne Studios, Louis Vuitton, Maison Margiela, Prada, Egon Lab, and Zegna for the FW25 menswear season. For guest cam, I loved the outfits at Prada, Rick Owens, and Louis Vuitton FW25 menswear shows…with my overall best-dressed guest at fashion week being Stefon Diggs, and I cannot stress this enough.
I know you know that there was no way under God’s sun, moon, and stars that I would miss an opportunity to yap about my Afrobeat boys and girls takeover at fashion week! There was a Naija artist everywhere I looked, and I love it for them and for me too! And Rema?? Fingers crossed this era of ootds and just pretty much giving us graphics of his every day on IG stories does not let up. My boy has morphed into an icon, and he acts like he is fully aware! DJ, play HEIS, the track.
Akin Faminu also killed it at Milan and Paris for FW25, and I couldn’t be more proud and even more inspired! We saw the fashion and lifestyle creator in Nigerian brands like Crux, Deji & Kola, and Orange Culture and at shows like Prada, Sean Suen, and Paul Smith. A force of style through and through!
Still on fashion week, a Denmark-based brand, Soeren Le Schmidt, showcased their collection of upcycled and reworked creations with the most iconic runway show, staged at an ice rink in the historic Kongens Nytorv square. I dream about this every day and twice on Sundays!
African brand highlight: NuanceNook by Uduak. The brand fuels the desire for functional and artistic pieces worthy of exhibition, designs that go beyond just another garment. Their first collection still has me in a chokehold.
Liz Sanya, a British-Nigerian fashion designer, completed her historic attempt for the Guinness World Record for The World’s Largest Sandal, which she designed and built within 72 hours at Pixel Park in Lekki, Lagos, from January 2–4, 2025. The color grabbed and kept my attention, a pink clog measuring 15’9” in length and 10’4.2” in width. As a fellow Nigerian, I live for this GWR era and couldn’t be more proud of my country people. My favorites so far are Hilda Baci’s ‘longest cooking marathon,’ Fola David’s ‘largest painting,’ and now Liz Sanya’s ‘largest sandal.’ Go Naija!
My goats have now joined the jewelry chat! Pharrell Williams recently collaborated with Tiffany & Co. to design their most stunning pieces yet, while Damson Idris launched a jewelry brand named Didris, which he built brick by brick! Per Damson, this venture was inspired by his mother and his home country, Nigeria (judging by all the green gemstones, one shouldn’t be surprised), and was made in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Come on, superstars!
Beauty and fashion content creator, Steph Hui, covered Vogue Hong Kong! I have been following her journey for a good while, and she more than deserves it. P.S. I will never get tired of seeing creatives receive their flowers.
Scuderia Ferrari, everybody! Lewis Hamilton was a dream in a Ferragamo suit for his first official day as a Ferrari driver. I will never get tired of watching him utilize the racetracks as his runway. P.S. I wish him all possible success for this new era.
No brand does email marketing like Fisayo Longe’s Kai Collective!!! Up for debate? I guess not. I have opened, carefully read through, and digested every email sent my way in the last couple of weeks, and I hope their marketing team knows I am in love with every last one of them, their brains more specifically. In similar news, Kai’s Nao vest is back and better: long sleeved and in 4 colors—white, black, deep navy, and their signature orange. It all launches today, Friday, 31st of January, at 5pm (GMT). Brace for impact (iykyk)!
Media mogul Mo Abudu hosted the 2nd edition of Lagos Canvas, a celebration of Nigerian music, film, fashion, and art, and it saw incredible made-in-Nigeria looks, especially from exceptionally beautiful women.
#6: What I added to cart
Refine Studios left me in awe with their latest jewelry drop, the Kofo Set (products 1, 2, 3, & 4), crafted from locally sourced brass and premium tourmaline stone.
The girls and I went crazy for Cladini Studios first and latest pant sets, and it is now sold out! But both pant designs (Eden & Vivora) are still available as I write this.
🔗SHOP MY fashion picks (outerwear and accessories).
Shopping Bonus
Black Friday? No, Pies Friday! Nicole Chikwe's Premium Pie Day is back and in full swing! She will be virtually celebrating her upcoming birthday with us, where she collaborates with a few clothing and lifestyle brands to bring us exclusive discounts on products and services ranging from 5-30% off from February 3rd. Say happy birthday to our Premium Pie-in-Chief once that card gets swiped rather than wiped! PS. Discount code(s) will go live on February 3rd, so email DISCOUNT CODE to chrysemagazine@gmail.com to receive a notification come launch day.
I guess that is a great part of all the things I liked in January; see you on the lighter side of February!
🔗Still sober? if not, BUY ME COFFEE for a job well done!
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