SUMMER AND STYLE WITH NI MAXINE: ROOTED IN STYLE

We’re standing outside the latest addition to the Kensington, Liverpool high street—a vibrant, essential black afro hair shop that has just thrown open its doors.

Its sleek, modern design blends cutting-edge style and cultural pride, making it a magnet for anyone with a penchant for fashion. But today, the spotlight is on British Neo-Jazz singer-songwriter Ni Maxine.

Ni Maxine, renowned for her innovative mix of jazz and neo-soul, has chosen this vibrant venue for her summer fashion shoot. Decked out in an ensemble that effortlessly merges vintage charm with a contemporary edge, Ni Maxine epitomises summer sophistication.

Her natural dreadlocks are styled up, offering a look that’s both relaxed and commanding. Stylist Rhys explains that his inspiration drew from Zoe Kravitz’s chic in the series’ High Fidelity’ and Lil Simz’s evolving style, who, over the years, has refined her fashion sense, blending her musical persona with a more sophisticated and nuanced style, which Rhys has incorporated into today’s look.

The shoot is set against the hair salon’s striking interior, with shelves brimming with products. The setting is more than just a backdrop.

Watching from the sidelines, I see Ni Maxine glide from pose to pose, her wardrobe a vivid mix of bold prints and flowing fabrics. The outfit she’s wearing is an airy dress designed by Liverpool-based designer Kirsty Richardson from XTSY (@the.xtsy.shop). The dress’s relaxed silhouette and vibrant colours make it a standout piece, ideally suited for a summer fashion shoot.

“When I think summer style, I think comfort,” Ni Maxine says. “Natural fibres are key—cotton or linen. They’re soft, cool, and breathable, essential for those hot summer days.”

The dress, adjustable around the neck and bust, features a slender cut in purples and yellows that beautifully complement her skin tone. “The look is secondary,” Ni Maxine adds. “What I love most about this outfit is how airy and light it feels. The bold colours—purple and yellow—bring a sense of regality and freshness, which is exactly what I’m going for this summer.”

Stylist Rhys picked out each item for the photo shoot because it captures summer’s fun vibe and lends itself to the casual shopper look.

He adjusts the outfits between shots to enhance their impact and ‘just stepped out’ feel. “We swapped the jacket for an Austin Reed—vintage but brand new,” Rhys notes. It’s softer leather, more fitted, and it adds a dramatic touch to the overall look.”

Ni Maxine layers her dress with a vintage Principals leather jacket, which exudes a strong, assertive vibe with its boxy cut and pointed collar. “It’s giving off a leader vibe,” Rhys says, pointing out the mix of masculine and feminine elements that create a powerful, iconic look.

The choice of summer as the theme for the shoot is deliberate. Summer represents a time of freedom and self-expression, a season when we truly come alive. “The blend of masculine and feminine elements, along with the chic, overnight feel, creates something that’s both iconic and powerful,” Rhys says. “It’s formal yet relaxed, capturing that summer chic with an edge.”

Completing the look, Ni Maxine sports thick-framed glasses of her own and switches to regal purple shades from Charlie Therapy, which Rhys picked up during a recent trip to Barcelona.

The photographer’s camera clicks rhythmically, capturing Ni Maxine in all her natural grace and authenticity. Her accessories—thick silver earrings from her personal jewellery box and a cross-body banana bag from Uniqlo—add a practical yet stylish touch to her ensemble.

“These Kickers boots are perfect for festivals,” Ni Maxine says, pointing out their versatility. “Mud-friendly, wipeable, and they add a bit of height. There’s definitely a market for collaborations with Kickers,” Rhys adds, noting how such partnerships often renew interest in classic brands.

Rhys sums up the look as “authentic and less staged,” emphasising how Ni Maxine’s fashion choices reflect her personal and artistic journey. “It’s like saying, ‘This chic knows what she’s doing.'”

As Ni Maxine picks up products from the salon, it’s clear how her fashion and music intertwine—grounded in authenticity and unapologetically unique. Like her music, fashion becomes a powerful medium for self-expression and social commentary, pushing boundaries and crafting something genuinely impactful.

As we leave this vibrant scene behind, we feel struck by the powerful intersection of art, culture, and self-expression. It’s a reminder that true style is not just about clothes but the stories we tell through them, reflecting who we are and where we come from.

Photos by Kieran Irvine (@aka.keeks)