Style Files: Zeena Shah On The Power Of Dopamine Dressing

Eclectic, joyful and unabashedly bold—the 39-year-old is obsessed with colour and fully embraces it.

By Gracia Phang - published 27 Aug 2024

Oozing with positivity and a huge advocate for dopamine dressing, East Londoner Zeena Shah kickstarts her week by encouraging her Instagram followers to wear their Monday blues on their sleeves to notice the difference—“colours can boost not only one’s mood, but those around you,” she quips. Shah, a stylist, designer, author and content creator, credits her keen eye for colour, print and pattern to her studies in textile design. She considers the late Iris Apfel a major style inspiration, along with Chloë Sevigny.

Pink Parade

“I’m a firm believer that pink is a neutral so my favourite colour would have to be pink! It is so versatile—from millennial pink to Barbie pink, there is a shade to suit everyone. I think it’s so flattering and you can really play with pastels or lean into neons with just one colour. It is the epitome of dopamine dressing.”

In a Nutshell

“My wedding dress by Ashish is me in a dress. I love it so much, and can’t imagine a more Zeena dress! It’s so fun, playful, colourful but also incredibly chic. I wanted to wear a dress that would feel iconic and this really did tick all the boxes.”

Favourite Find

“Other than my wedding dress(es), my most treasured wardrobe pieces would have to be a crochet and knit Moschino two-piece that I found at a vintage market over a decade ago. It’s so special; it’s a knitted vest and cardigan that has the most exquisite crochet flowers stitched onto it. It’s really special and one of my favourite finds ever.”

One for Life

“If I had to live in one brand for the rest of my life, it would be Simone Rocha. I just love her feminine, playful, delicate silhouettes and how you can style them with chunky boots and big leather jackets to make them feel a bit more edgy and less girly. I recently bagged a pair of Crocs from her collab and can’t stop wearing them!”

Related Article: How To Style Colour, According To London Street Style

Chill Pill

“When I hit a creative rut, it’s usually a sign to take a break—I’m most likely burnt out and need to rest my creative juices. Spending a day walking in nature, beside the sea or with family and friends is a wonderful reset and recharge and always does the trick. I think not putting too much pressure on yourself helps too, I used to be really hard on myself for not being productive every minute of every day but as I get older I’ve realised that the down times are when the ideas start to brew.”