Modern Dandyism: Inspiring Vanessa & Stylist Zion Reimagine Met Gala Glamour with Purpose and Power
- Chelsea Abili
- 1 day ago
- 8 min read
I met with Vanessa Sam and her stylist Zion right in the middle of their Met Gala-inspired shoot, and if the shoot itself wasn’t already enough of a spectacle, the timing made it even more unforgettable. With the London Marathon taking over the streets and the sun blazing across the city, the energy was electric. Between dodging marathon runners and weaving through packed pavements, the afternoon quickly became a whirlwind of fashion, chaos, and creativity.
In true London style, suitcases full of bold fashion looks were hauled through the Underground, a mission that Vanessa laughed about later. “Dragging them down the tube was stressful,” she admitted, “but honestly... it was worth it.” You could feel that energy on set, the buzz of the city matched the buzz of the concept: a powerful, youthful reimagination of dandyism, with all the drama and elegance of the Met Gala, brought to life in the heart of London.
Zion, the creative mind behind the styling, spoke about his long-time friendship with Vanessa. “We’ve known each other since we were kids,” he shared. “Growing up in Croydon together, we just get each other. So working on something like this, with intention and style, it just feels natural.”
When asked about the deep connection they share, I couldn’t help but notice the ease in their energy, like two people whose collaboration is rooted in more than just style. “She’s been THAT girl,” Zion tells me without missing a beat. His aura? Absolutely magnetic. Funny, charming, with that soft confidence that instantly puts you at ease. The way he supports Vanessa is undeniable; equal parts hype man, best friend, and creative partner. It was genuinely beautiful to witness.
“Everything she does… she’s so gifted,” Zion continues. “When we both found out that we were into fashion, we were like yesss, it was meant to be. And then I started styling her.” It’s clear that their relationship is not just professional, it’s personal, bonded by years of friendship and shared creative DNA. As a dancer, creativity has always been in Zion’s blood. He’s unapologetically himself, and his work reflects that same bold freedom.
When I asked what their favourite thing about each other was, both of them lit up, laughing and smiling like siblings caught off guard by a sweet question. “That’s so sweet,” Vanessa beamed.
“I would say her professionalism,” Zion answered. “I’m quite observant and I like to see how others act around people, and I love how she gets things done. Her moodboard skills are incredible; she planned this shoot so last minute and look how great it’s turning out so far. I was gagged with how she does it in seconds.”
Vanessa, meanwhile, talked about how inspired she was by this year’s Met Gala theme and the deeper ideas behind dandyism. As two young creatives from non-white heritage backgrounds, their approach to the shoot carried meaning and purpose. It wasn’t just about looking good, it was about representation, storytelling, and power. Every detail had a personal touch, thanks to Zion’s styling eye.
“This is pretty much who we are,” Vanessa said simply.
“Fashion has always been a tool for us,” she added. “I’ve always believed that the way you show up, the way you dress, it creates a reputation for yourself, so why wouldn’t you come and look your best wherever you go? When I was thinking about it, I thought we need to get out there and show these signals to the world. And who else would I want to help represent this vision other than Zion?”
“PERIODt!” Zion laughed.
They both leaned into the reality of how chaotic the behind-the-scenes of fashion and events can be, and how no one really sees that side. “People don’t realise how stressful events are,” Vanessa said, fake-crying as she joked, “When things start falling apart, when my shoe gets stuck in a drain, you know who’s there? Zion!”
“My favourite thing about Zion is how good he is under pressure, and how he’s always there to help me, especially with the good vibes. His energy is great and he just goes with the flow.”
Zion agreed with a grin, “I’m literally allergic to stress. When I feel stressed, I’m like no thank you. I hate struggle.”
We all burst out laughing when Vanessa quoted him from a past conversation: “I don’t think at this stage I’m meant to live an uncomfortable life.”
“That is me,” he said proudly, with a twinkle in his eye.
When asked about his favourite look he’s styled for her, Zion replied, “I really liked the Inside Out 2 look, that really worked together, the purple vibes with the purple backdrop. She ATE!”
Vanessa burst out laughing. “Yes, I agree. I feel like every time we do a look it’s always so magically cohesive with the backdrop or the carpet of the event.”
Zion added, “The Lion King look with the orange was great too! I was on the side watching her rock it on the red carpet”
“That whole evening was such a fever dream!” Vanessa said, as I asked her to walk me through the experience.
She told me about how she found out she was invited to the Mufasa premiere just two nights before. The dress she was meant to wear to the Sonic event ended up being worn for The Lion King instead, and to top it off, her work Christmas party was the same night as the premiere. “So it was very chaotic,” she laughed. “People don’t understand the entire process and how stressful it can be, but it’s all worth it. All they see are the photos and the glitz and glamour at the end of the night, but not what it took to get there.”
It’s worth noting that Zion has only been styling for less than three years, a fact that might surprise anyone who’s seen his work. His eye for detail, colour, and proportion feels intuitive and well beyond his years. “It’s really about who you know and putting in the effort,” he explained. “You can actually elongate your day. There’s enough hours to get enough done, it just depends. But if it’s a premiere, I make sure everything’s done on time.”
Zion’s creative background is layered; dancer, stylist, artist. “Being a dancer is a passion. I’ve been training and dancing since I was young, though I’ve put it on the back burner. Being in the creative space means you can do anything.”
And then he casually dropped the biggest surprise of the day: “I was an opera singer… which I stopped when I was nine.”
Vanessa turned to him, stunned. “What?! Even I didn’t know that!”
It’s easy to forget, in the middle of all this confidence and polish, that Vanessa is only 18 and Zion just 19. Their presence, professionalism, and creative instinct go far beyond what most would expect from people their age. Even I had to stop and remind myself they’re still teenagers, yet already shaping narratives and aesthetics in a way that feels deeply intentional and ahead of their time.
We laughed about how switching up hairstyles can completely change the shape of Vanessa’s face. It’s something they both joke about often, but it also speaks to how well they know her looks, angles, and visual storytelling down to the smallest detail. Zion’s eye as a stylist, and their shared creative shorthand, makes every transformation seamless.
They tell me they’re constantly surrounded by older people in the industry; a blessing, but also a challenge. Zion reflected on how things are shifting: “Gen Z is being more respected in the creative scene now. People are understanding that we’re taking over, so we’re finally getting the attention we deserve. Our value is finally being brought to the table.”
Vanessa added, “All you need is one person to give you a chance, just one foot in the door as a young person, and you’re good to go. We just need to be given that chance.”
She went on to speak about London as the perfect backdrop for opportunity. “London is a great place for networking, you never know who you’re going to meet. You never know who you’re going to run into, so it’s always important to be ready with what you can bring to the table. Use the city to your advantage.”
When the conversation turned to dandyism, the theme at the heart of the shoot, Zion explained what drew him to it in the first place. “I wanted to represent the culture,” he said. For them, this wasn’t about simply borrowing an aesthetic, it was about reinterpreting a historically rich, gender-bending, and expressive movement, and doing so through a lens of culture, pride, and youth. Their version of dandyism is loud, proud, and rooted in something much deeper than fashion alone.
Vanessa’s life story is one to remember, not because of overnight success, but because of years of grit, heart, and relentless belief. At one point during our conversation, I joked, “You post your mum on your story more than anyone I’ve ever seen; you really rep your mother!” We all laughed, but the truth behind it was clear.
“I was raised in a single-parent household, and my mother has always been there to support my dreams,” Vanessa says with pride. “She’s like my sister, my best friend, my manager, my photographer; she’s the best. We’ve always had a really close relationship. She comes to all my events. My biggest supporter. She’s such a rock for me.”
Zion nodded warmly, adding, “I’ve met her mum, our parents actually knew each other, and they’re all great friends. Such a supportive family.”
Growing up in South London, the two laugh with me about the way Croydon often gets a bad rep. “Good things can come out of Croydon,” they agree with big grins.
Vanessa’s journey didn’t begin on a whim. “I started doing social media and public speaking when I was nine years old, so this didn’t just happen overnight, it’s been a long time coming through hard work and dedication!”
Zion jumped in to share a memory: “I remember her from primary school, she was on stage in Year 5, the only kid up there giving a motivational speech about kids in Africa, and I was like ‘ooo who’s that who went to Africa?!’”
We all laughed as Vanessa confirmed, “Yes! I was a child helping other children in Africa through public speaking. I went to Kenya to volunteer with my mum and the people who helped me get into speaking. I even documented it all on my YouTube channel; that whole experience really shaped me.”
It’s clear her platform is no accident. Her early start, her passion for helping others, and her discipline have all paved the way. “My first time on stage was petrifying,” she admits. “I’m quite introverted, but this is my job, and over time I’ve become more confident. I didn’t know how much confidence I had within me, and how I could use that to help other people.”
Now, after nine years of public speaking, Vanessa continues to grow. She’s studying media, juggling an apprenticeship in media planning, and constantly creating. “It’s definitely a lot of juggling, but you get used to it. Sometimes I can be too hard on myself, but I’m getting better at balancing it all.”
When I asked what advice she’d give to someone wanting to follow a similar path, her answer was crystal clear: “Don’t look for validation from other people. Auditions are tough. You’re never guaranteed a role, but you might be put in front of someone who thinks of you later. Never see it as a shut door, maybe just a temporarily closed one.”
“Don’t try to fit yourself into a mould that wasn’t made for you. I’m a firm believer in: what’s meant for you will find you, and it will never pass you by. It’ll come when the time is right.”
She finishes with a reminder of self-love. “Self-validation is key. Always have a backbone and love yourself, because who’s going to constantly be there apart from you?” She laughs, looking over at Zion, smiling. “The world isn’t ready for us.”
And honestly? She’s probably right.
We look forward to watching Vanessa and Zion take over the world; they are definitely a force to be reckoned with. Creative, bold, and unapologetically themselves, the future is brighter because of young trailblazers like them. This is only the beginning.
Interviewed & written by: Chelsea Abili
