Zakie Christina // THE GRIP QUEEN (12 YEARS EXP)

Years of craftsmanship!! 🪄 - Still loadinggg... Click the link in my bio to see more!! 🥰🙂‍↕️

Myles Football Campaign Project Myles is named after my junior brother (Declan Myles) whose journey with football has been a constant source of inspiration for me. Over the years, I’ve witnessed firsthand the profound impact the game has had on his life. His commitment has never wavered, ten years on, football still moves him with the same passion and excitement as it did at the beginning. Growing up, after school and every Saturday, football was always on his mind. Match days gave him focus, purpose, and direction, and more often than not, they kept him out of trouble. That’s when I truly understood that football is more than just a game, it has the power to shape lives. Beyond the personal, this project is also a bold celebration of my African heritage. It’s a love letter to the culture, energy, and unity that define us. Drawing inspiration from the golden era of football in the 1990s, the visuals blend vintage sports nostalgia with modern African flair, paying homage to the legends and legacy that continue to fuel pride across the continent. Through a creative fusion of hair artistry, fashion, and football, Project Myles shines a spotlight on the raw talent, individuality, and creativity found across African nations. This is about more than sport, it’s about community, connection, and cultural expression. Thank you to everyone who participated, for trusting the process, and for pouring your talent into bringing Project Myles to life. Credits: Focus Brand: @thebraidingzone *** Executive Writer/Director/Producer: Zakie Christina @thebraidingzone Co- producer / Marketing Stragiest/ Post production assistant: @yooitsoce Videographer: @whoistaf_extra Photographer: @graybrame Voice over: @the_itoroi Production coordinator: @juwonaaa Graphic designers: @superflog.design @jacquesadilla Model: @marcoaniel_ Model: @faruq_olatoyosi Model: @zio.daniels Model: @D.myless88 Gaffer: @pistol_rock Styling assistant : @von__o Hairstylist: @thebraidingzone Set Barber: @trimlinebarbers BTS: @visionsbyfunmi #afcon #caf #africa #morocco #football #africancup #dettydecember #senegal #supereagles #nigeria #cameroon #drcongo #ivorycoast @blackthingsuk @nwe @nwe_sports

Well, well, well.... 👀 Look what we have here. This year, I told myself I was starting with a bang and I wasn’t playing. Imagine having a gift in your hands for 14 years, but never truly giving it the space to evolve. Caught up in life, in the noise, in everything BUT the thing I love most - HAIR. But that changes now. For the first time ever, I’m stepping into a new lane blending creativity, culture, and craft in a way that feels pleasurable. If you know me, you know I’ve always dreamed of pushing boundaries, but I used to worry my ideas were too bold for the everyday eye. Not anymore. Today, I’m proud to release my first-ever collection one that pays homage to my mother, BIH ANASTA, and to my beautiful roots in Africa. Being African is something I hold with deep pride and to express that through hair? It’s wild, it’s powerful, it’s ALIVE. The fusion, the vibrance, the storytelling spoken and unspoken. ---- A brief look inside the collection: I’ve blended these styles with elements that are nostalgic *and* reimagined. Fishbone braids: A legendary 2000s classic that represents where I started. A full-on flashback. The iconic updo: Inspired by your everyday aunty. That gelled-up, party-ready, don’t-mess-with-me kinda vibe. *Saucy, right?* If you’ve made it this far thank you for being here, for witnessing this new chapter unfold. Welcome to di beginning of new chapter o! Massive love to my dream crew you made this whole process fun, soulful, and unforgettable. Couldn’t have done it without you. 💫 CREDITS🍻✨ Focus Brand:@thebraidingzone *** Creative Director & Hairstylist: @thebraidingzone Creative Director & Marketing Strategist :@yooitsoce Model 1: @thriftqueenlola Model 2 & Stylist: @iamgodzproperty Photographer: @jumi___p Gaffer: @pistol_rock Retouching & Grading: @emdotoffline Makeup Artist: @ili_the_dealy BTS Videographer: @esere.i BTS Editor: @shotbysirhat Special thanks to (location) @eldica_records 🫂❤️ #editorial #lfw #londonfashionweek #hairdresser #africa #afrohair #cornrows #london #viral #braider #cornrows #highlife #highfashion #makeupartist #stylist #londonstylist #fyp #hackney #africanfashion #aseobi #funky #londonbraider

Brand & Hairstylist: @thebraidingzone / @neh.mankon Model & Stylist : @iamgodzproperty Photography: @nyamekyecann Nail Artist: @nlsdecami Videography: @mehnthisshitisgood A tribute to the roots of Black hair and beauty. Black hair has always been more than style, it’s history, identity, and joy woven into every curl, coil, and braid. This piece builds on what we first explored in our very first project, celebrating the pride and freedom of being a Black woman expressing herself boldly and creatively through her crown, and the deep love we carry for our hair within our community. Shout out to @theblkbrit for their latest issue, featuring our previous shoot on Black hair and culture. The magazine beautifully reflects that same spirit, uplifting our stories, our creativity, and the richness of our heritage. Honestly, the entire issue is filled with inspiring, soul nourishing content that speaks to the heart of our culture. Don’t miss out, grab your copy of the latest issue!!!🫡❤️.

I’m sure you all have always known my passion for creating sculptural, expressive pieces through hair, but now it’s time to elevate it even further. Introducing a new element to the craft: *NEH (New Era Hair)*, a brand cultivated by TheBraidingZone. While TheBraidingZone will always remain a space for diverse creativity and styling, NEH is dedicated to specialising in African braiding at its purest core, honouring its roots, its artistry, and its depth. The theme of this video takes it back to the very beginning. Before the hustle of hair, there was nature. There was farming. There was foundation. And who says we can’t still be bold, elevated, and *saucy* within that element? And if you caught the flicker of a magazine in the visuals 😏, this is just the start. A huge thank you to THEBLKBRIT for featuring my work and allowing me to express this side of my creativity. Imagine my first project being published like this, it’s nothing but an honour honestly. If you haven’t grabbed a copy yet, now’s the time to do so. Special thanks to the team for helping me bring this vision to life🍻🤍 Model & Stylist: @iamgodzproperty Videographery and editing: @mehnthisshitisgood Photographer: @nyamekyecann Hairstylist: @thebraidingzone Nail artist: @nlsdecami Publishing Magazine : @theblkbrit This is only the beginning. @neh.mankon

Been a bit quiet with my posting, but here's another one for the books🥰(tell a friend to tell friend!). Hoping to be a lot more consistent 😅lol. DM/EMAIL FOR MARCH SLOTS 🥰❤️ #braids #london #editorialphotography #editorialhair

Had a lovely time featuring in this week's show for London fashion week - @onalajaofficial Worked behind the scenes with @johannacreebrownhair 🪄🪄 Shout to all the other members on the hair and beauty team!! #londonfashion #londonfashionweek #nigerianbrand #nigeria #fashion

Closing out my football campaign with a little BTS love and on finals day too ⚽🎬 Thank you to everyone who tuned in, shared, and enjoyed this celebration of African football woven with beautiful hairstyles and culture. This journey has been special. If you are new here, just know I am only getting started. There is a lot more coming this year ! And to my wonderful, beautiful team, thank you for helping bring this vision to life and for producing such amazing material. Could not have done it without you 🖤 Enjoy the finals! (LIVE NOW) Credits: BTS: @visionsbyfunmi Focus Brand: @thebraidingzone *** Executive Writer/Director/Producer: Zakie Christina @thebraidingzone Co- producer / Marketing Stragiest/ Post production assistant: @yooitsoce Videographer: @whoistaf_extra Photographer: @graybrame Voice over: @the_itoroi Production coordinator: @juwonaaa Graphic designer: @superflog.design Model: @marcoaniel_ Model: @faruq_olatoyosi Model: @zio.daniels Model: @D.myless88 Gaffer: @pistol_rock Styling assistant : @von__o Hairstylist: @thebraidingzone Set Barber: @trimlinebarbers #afcon #caf #africa #morocco #football #footy #africancup #dettydecember #nigeria #francophone #supereagles#francophonie #franco #french #senegalfootball #sadiomane #photography #history #africanhistory #botswana #ivorycoast #ivorycoast #drcongo #cameroon #totalenergiesafcon2025 #yaounde #abidjan #france🇫🇷 #eto #sénégal #senegal

NAIJAAAAAAA 🇳🇬 - @7PM TODAY!! Shout to @superflog.design for this design piece & @graybrame for capturing this beautiful shot of @d.myles88 🥶 Nigeria 🇳🇬 Vs Mozambique 🇲🇿 - 7pm Egypt 🇪🇬 Vs Benin 🇧🇯 - LIVE NOW!! Credits: Focus Brand: @thebraidingzone *** Executive Writer/Director/Producer: Zakie Christina @thebraidingzone Co- producer / Marketing Stragiest/ Post production assistant: @yooitsoce Videographer: @whoistaf_extra Photographer: @graybrame Voice over: @the_itoroi Production coordinator: @juwonaaa Graphic designer: @superflog.design Model: @marcoaniel_ Model: @faruq_olatoyosi Model: @zio.daniels Model: @D.myless88 Gaffer: @pistol_rock Styling assistant : @von__o Hairstylist: @thebraidingzone Set Barber: @trimlinebarbers BTS: @visionsbyfunmi #afcon #caf #africa #morocco #football #footy #africancup #dettydecember #nigeria #francophone #supereagles#francophonie #franco #french #senegalfootball #sadiomane #photography #history #africanhistory #botswana #ivorycoast #ivorycoast #drcongo #cameroon #indomitablelions #totalenergiesafcon2025 #yaounde #abidjan #france🇫🇷 #eto #sadiomane #senegal @blackthingsuk @nwe @nwe_sports @caf_online

1–3 Launched my second project/campaign and advertised it across two shopping centres *Romford & Wood Green*. If you haven’t checked it out yet, now’s the time! 🤪 + Went to Morocco to watch the AFCON matches live for enjoyment & of course to support the campaign 4–5. I had the pleasure of working with the Labrum team on their second fashion show of the year at London fashion week, such an incredible experience. 6–7. Launched my very first project - a huge milestone for me! P.s the teams that I worked with this year 10/10 - star quality + God sent honestly!! 8. Did my brother’s hair for the bank holiday, family first! 🫡 9. I attended my very first **Braiders Brunch** and loved every single moment. Big thank you to @braidsgang 💛 10. Worked for 10 days on a short film directed by @umniamusic . She truly showed me what strong leadership and team management look like - beautifully executed from start to finish. 11. Got @arytjordan_ holiday-ready and summer fine ☀️ 12. Slayed @samiramighty for her shoot with @82k.mag such a vibe! 13. Met my guy @graybrame for the first time. This was the beginning of me finding my rhythm in the scene. Shout-out to @angeloumae for trusting me to take care of her 💇🏾‍♀️ 14. Another shoot, this time with a *boxing/editorial* style🥊 15. A random braided freestyle for mummy, because why not? 16. Worked on set with BBC for Black Ops Season 2* Releasing January 8th, 2026 make sure you check it out! 🎬 17. Hair styling for a jewellery line, captured by the amazing @batikarosephotography 🫶🏾 18. Non-stop meetings featuring @yooitsoce truly my right hand through these projects. I can’t thank you enough Anything producing/marketing.. you know where to go!🫵🏾 19. Ending with myself because in this life, everything you do begins and ends with you. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. From one set to another and from one project to the next, nothing has felt impossible with your support and with God by my side. I’m forever grateful for each and every one of you. Here’s to a new year, bigger and better, as they say! 😄🫡 Over and out! ❤️

Credits: Focus Brand: @thebraidingzone *** Executive Writer/Director/Producer: Zakie Christina @thebraidingzone Co- producer / Marketing Stragiest/ Post production assistant: @yooitsoce Videographer: @whoistaf_extra Photographer: @graybrame Voice over: @the_itoroi Production coordinator: @juwonaaa Graphic designers: @superflog.design @jacquesadilla Model: @marcoaniel_ Model: @faruq_olatoyosi Model: @zio.daniels Model: @D.myless88 Gaffer: @pistol_rock Styling assistant : @von__o Hairstylist: @thebraidingzone Set Barber: @trimlinebarbers BTS: @visionsbyfunmi #afcon #caf #africa #morocco #football #footy #africancup #dettydecember #nigeria #francophone #supereagles#francophonie #franco #french #senegalfootball #sadiomane #photography #history #africanhistory #botswana #ivorycoast #ivorycoast #drcongo #cameroon #indomitablelions #totalenergiesafcon2025 #yaounde #abidjan #france🇫🇷 #eto #sadiomane #drogba @blackthingsuk @nwe @nwe_sports @caf_online

After an intense game between all 4 teams, who would you say is making it to the QUARTER FINALS???? VOTE BELOW!! (Last group stage matches) Myles Football Campaign 🪄 Credits: Focus Brand: @thebraidingzone *** Executive Writer/Director/Producer: Zakie Christina @thebraidingzone Co- producer / Marketing Stragiest/ Post production assistant: @yooitsoce Videographer: @whoistaf_extra Photographer: @graybrame Voice over: @the_itoroi Production coordinator: @juwonaaa Graphic designers: @superflog.design @jacquesadilla Model: @marcoaniel_ Model: @faruq_olatoyosi Model: @zio.daniels Model: @D.myless88 Gaffer: @pistol_rock Styling assistant : @von__o Hairstylist: @thebraidingzone Set Barber: @trimlinebarbers BTS: @visionsbyfunmi #afcon #caf #africa #morocco #football #footy #africancup #dettydecember #nigeria #supereagles #senegal #senegalfootball #sadiomane #photography #history #africanhistory #botswana #uganda #ivorycoast #drcongo #cameroon #indomitablelions #totalenergiesafcon2025 @blackthingsuk @nwe @nwe_sports @caf_online sadiomaneofficiel