Melissa Holdbrook-Akposoe, 34, is the British-Ghanaian fashion mastermind behind Stormzy's on- and off-stage looks. Her client roster spans other high-profile names, including Anthony Joshua, Maya Jama and David Guetta. On social media, the stylist is known to Gen Z as @melissaswardrobe, where she posts styling videos and behind-the-scenes clips that have helped grow a devoted following. Naomi Campbell is among the fans who have followed her journey, including her celebrated grocery hauls from the Brent Cross M&S Foodhall that have become a talking point.
In a new weekly shoppable series called Love That, released on YouTube and Instagram, Holdbrook-Akposoe was tapped by Marks & Spencer to serve as the fashion expert guiding viewers through the latest drops and wardrobe hacks alongside presenters Jordan North, Sian Welby and Chris Stark. Since its launch about a month ago, the show has drawn almost four million views, underscoring the appeal of her real-life, practical dressing advice. The partnership also ties into her broader public profile as a tastemaker who blends high fashion with accessible, everyday style.
The following seven tips, drawn from Holdbrook-Akposoe’s approach to dressing, emphasize building a personal style rather than chasing every fleeting trend. They come from her guidance on Love That and her broader professional philosophy about longevity, quality and self-expression through clothes.
Invest in wardrobe staples. Avoid spending heavily on transitory trends that fade quickly. The aim is to create a capsule wardrobe in which key pieces anchor your outfits, such as a dependable blazer, quality jeans and elevated basics on a single rail. Then introduce seasonal prints like polka dots, snakeskin or leopard, or textures such as a chocolate brown suede bag or a leather trench coat to keep things interesting while staying timeless.
Choose quality over quantity and wear your clothes to the max. This is Holdbrook-Akposoe’s take on sustainability: select fabrics that will stand the test of time rather than concentrating on recycled fibers alone. She emphasizes natural, durable materials such as real leather and suede, 100 percent cotton, rigid denim, wool, hemp, linen and bamboo, and she encourages wearing what you own repeatedly to maximize value and impact.
Know your colour palette. You don’t need to follow every color trend. Instead, build depth through texture and print, and use color judiciously. While bright primary shades can make a statement, a considered mix of textures and layering often yields more versatile, enduring looks than head-to-toe color blocks that may not suit everyone.
Tailor your clothes. Tailoring makes a big difference, even for everyday denim. Holdbrook-Akposoe notes that most local dry cleaners have in-house tailors and that a fitted pair of jeans, for example, can elevate the entire outfit. Tailoring helps you appear curated and put-together, reinforcing a personal style rather than simply wearing off-the-rack pieces.
Accessorise, but with restraint. Layering is effective, but sometimes less is more. She champions bold, eye-catching pieces such as chunky resin bangles and suggests wearing fewer items with higher impact rather than piling on many small accessories. Well-chosen accents can elevate a look without overdoing it.
Express your personality. It is important to draw inspiration from celebrities but to avoid copying their entire style. Lifestyle and personal circumstances influence what works day to day, so build a wardrobe that reflects your own taste and needs rather than chasing someone else’s silhouette.
Keep your wardrobe organized and rotate seasonally. A clear, organized closet makes dressing simpler and more deliberate. Holdbrook-Akposoe recommends rotating pieces by season, keeping items that cross seasons accessible while tucking away ones that aren’t in use. This practice helps you see what you’re missing and rediscover favorites, ensuring your wardrobe remains functional and inspiring.
The seven tips come together to form a practical framework for viewers of Love That and for anyone looking to elevate everyday dressing. By combining capsule ideas with selective indulgences, Holdbrook-Akposoe demonstrates how to maintain personal style without sacrificing practicality or sustainability. The Love That program, which pairs her expertise with a broader lineup of presenters, has helped broaden access to professional styling tips and has resonated with viewers seeking grounded, real-world fashion guidance. The show’s format and Holdbrook-Akposoe’s presence reflect a broader industry push toward accessible style guidance that blends celebrity influence with everyday utility.