Ok, yes, we’re loving the body representation on this summer’s Love Island (not every woman is a size 6 and 6ft tall and it’s great to see, thank you ITV2), but if we’re being honest, it’s not about the Islanders this season. Host Maya Jama has completely stolen the show.
If you watched the last season (Maya’s first) back in January, you won’t be surprised by this claim. While she only made appearances around the fire pit for dramatic dumpings (I can see how odd this phrase seems if you’re not an avid LI watcher) or on Sundays for Love Island: Aftersun – the Sunday-night episode dissecting all the gossip from the week – she made sure that when she was present, she was noticed.
She’s been back gracing our screens for her second season for the past fortnight, and she’s taking no prisoners – Maya’s amazing stylist Rhea Francois is pulling out all the stops. From statement sequins to cut-out gowns, these Maya Jama’s best Love Island outfits ever.
The bombshell dress
There’s no time we’re glued to our screens as much as we are for the Casa Amor recoupling episode, and Rhea and Maya made good use of the moment with a striking Grace Ling dress.
The cut-out Grecian-style gown made sure all eyes were on our favourite host for one of the most jaw-dropping episodes of the season – no spoilers!
The fancy LBD
I’ll bet almost every woman has a Little Black Dress they turned to in times of need (OK, when you need a simple but glam look that you know you’ll feel great in), and Maya is just like the rest of us! Designer Nensi Dojaka is renowned for sleek, figure-skimming dresses with cut-outs and strappy details galore, so it was a great choice to enter the villa in and have heads turning.
The mermaidcore dress
What an incred summer-ready dress – this Clio Peppiatt number is giving mermaidcore in the best possible way. Maya wore this embellished feather-trimmed mini for Love Island: Aftersun in the last series, and Twitter went crazy for the fun-loving style. The real deal will set you back a cool £1550, but thanks to The Little Mermaid, aquatic-inspired pieces (from tie-dye dresses to fish-shaped jewellery) are all over the high street right now.
The It two-piece
If you’ve got a summer holiday in the diary or a festival with friends, you’ll likely already have crochet on the radar. The fact that it’s equal parts warm and cool thanks to the loose knit weave makes it perfect for summer in the UK, or for hosting in the South African heat if you’re Maya Jama. This scarlet two-piece gave all the statement summer vibes and ensured all eyes were on her.
Head to NaKd Fashion and Mango for similar crochet co-ord vibes.
The crochet halter dress
Well, if it ain’t broke… For the first episode of Maya’s second Love Island season, she opted for a dress that combined two tried and tested favourite properties: cut-outs and crochet – and to excellent effect. If you were on the hunt for the perfect outfit for heatwave evenings this summer, consider the search over. This & Other Stories midi version, and ASOS option complete with midriff cut-out, are great contenders.
The sexy cut-out gown
Avid fans will know that the highly-anticipated Casa Amor episode requires special consideration. Whether that’s an at-home screening with your mates for added lols, or solo (with snacks) to limit any distractions. For Maya, this episode rightly warranted her hottest outfit to date.
In a full-length red Laquan Smith number complete with thigh-high slit, slinky body-skimming cut and multiple cut-outs, it bought extra drama to the episode.
The ‘body’ dress
I’m going to go as far as to say this is Maya’s most iconic Love Island look to date. The host posted images to her Instagram ahead of the episode that evening stating that she was ‘popping back in the villa tonight…’ and caused a storm. The illusion dress, alongside gorgeous glam, basically broke the internet that evening, and since, body illusion midi dresses have been cropping up on the high street. An icon.
The Barbiecore ruffled summer dress
For her first ever Love Island: Aftersun, Maya wore a bubblegum ruffled dress by Black-owned label Hanifa. In a summer-friendly seersucker fabric, it featured a ring detail which combined the top and bottom half of the dress and added interest. Combined with the off-the-shoulder sillhouette and, thanks to the upcoming Barbie movie, the trending pretty pink hue, it quickly became the internet’s favourite summer dress, setting Maya off to a strong fashion start for Love Island – and it was only upwards from there.
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