Writer Shannon Severson // Photography by Loralei Lazurek
Afi and Zack Maita strike a pose at the legendary Hotel Valley Ho, where mid-century charm meets contemporary chic. Their bold, colorful ensembles echo the hotel’s iconic retro aesthetic, creating a stunning visual harmony that celebrates both timeless style and cutting-edge fashion. This power couple’s looks prove that the past and present can coexist in perfect, eye-catching balance.
Afiniki “Afi” Maita fondly recalls visiting Nigerian and London ateliers with her international businessman father as he shopped for fabrics for custom suits. As the only single child in a family with three sets of twins, it was special father-daughter time that ultimately influenced the course of her life.
“He would take me along, and I’d look at fabrics, colors and patterns,” Maita recalls. “I was so enthralled by it. My dad would ask me questions. He would get suits customized, and I noticed the confidence it gave him to wear that clothing. I started styling my brothers and sisters for church.”
She was partly raised by her grandmother, as her own mother had died in childbirth when Maita was just 6 years old. Her name, Afiniki, was given to her by her grandmother; it means “my all, my only” in Jukun, the language spoken by her Hausa tribe. That tragedy brought her to London, and her time with her father helped Maita come to appreciate the value of being brave and developing a strong sense of individuality.
Today, the Nigerian-born, London-raised personal stylist makes her home in Scottsdale with her American husband, Zack. She uses her personal experiences and culture to give others the same expertise and confidence she developed through perseverance over adversity through the years. She’s an independent style consultant and style and lifestyle digital creator with a thriving business, Afi Like Taffy — once a handy rhyme she created to help retail customers pronounce her nickname.
This summer, Images Arizona sat down with Maita to explore her unique, globally inspired perspective and glean her expert styling advice. Drawing from her multicultural background and extensive fashion experience, Maita offers a fresh take on personal style that blends international flair with practical elegance.
Afi Maita radiates in an ultra-maximalist ensemble that’s a masterclass in global style fusion. Her yellow and gold sun-print maxi dress by Farm Rio, with its plunging neckline and playful tie shoulder straps, serves as a vibrant canvas for layers of carefully curated accessories.
The look is elevated with a trio of statement necklaces: a gilded gold choker by Dylan Lex, a celestial-inspired piece from Rad & Rae, and an assortment of Lana Jewelry designs including the Blake Lariat, an initial pendant, and the Petite Malibu Cross Bar Lariat.
Her wrists showcase a colorful array of hand-beaded Ghanaian bangles, sourced from Akola Jewelry and Buddha Girl on Etsy, adding an authentic touch of African artistry.
Completing the ensemble are show-stopping Kurt Geiger London rhinestone-encrusted platform heels; their ankle ties echo the dress’s shoulder detail. A swipe of Anastasia Beverly Hills’ bold red liquid lipstick in “Heathers” provides the finishing touch to this head-turning look that seamlessly blends high fashion with multicultural influences.
What brought you to Arizona, and how did you create your business here?
Love is what brought me to the States. I met my American husband in Leicester, United Kingdom, where I went to university, on his first trip ever out of the U.S. It was a 2 1/2-year courtship. When I came to Arizona, I helped with marketing his customized printing and embroidery business, Diamond Cube Promo.
Then, I worked in different retail jobs and found a home for almost 10 years at a luxury, high-end retailer as a brand ambassador. I freed myself during the pandemic. As much as I loved it because I made the best clients and best of friends, I had difficulties. I was bullied and racially profiled.
At the time, I was one of the original people to sell clothing on Instagram, creating style videos and pictures outfits. People would go online to shop. Now, it’s encouraged for all employees to do that, but it wasn’t at the time. I knew I didn’t want to get stuck in retail long term.
After I was bullied for the second time, I was furloughed in March 2020. I was at home building a plan to leave my corporate job. I’d ride my bike along the canals in Old Town Scottsdale, planning how to create a business. I created style videos online and went to networking groups to find my people and my clients. I reached out to magazines and TV stations and created a wider audience.
Eventually, I found an office space that overlooks the canal where I’d ride. It’s come full circle.
How do you assist your clients in finding their own personal style?
I set up a free, 30-minute style consultation Zoom call to start the process. I ask questions about what they consider their style, colors they like, colors they stay away from and sizing information. I create a list from the notes taken of upcoming engagements and meet them at stores from which I’ve pulled and styled outfits with accessories and shoes ahead of time — ready for them to try on. I also meet them at their homes with a plethora of outfits.
Sometimes people are afraid to wear too much color, but you embrace it. Where is a good place to start to introduce color into one’s wardrobe?
There is so much color in African culture in general. Growing up and being raised partly in Nigeria, I was immersed in that. Color signifies life, good energy and vibes, so I try to nudge and encourage my clients to do the same. If they’re fearful of color, I suggest a small, colorful accessory like a bangle, earrings or pocket squares for men to start — which they end up loving. It gets them on the colorful train that we eventually build upon over time.
Zack Maita exudes refined elegance in a masterfully curated ensemble, proving that men’s fashion can be both understated and impactful when attention is paid to texture, pattern and color coordination.
The foundation of his outfit is the Esprit Plaid Wool Suit by Jack Victor, sourced from Nordstrom. This Italian-fabric suit, with its textured plaid pattern, narrow shoulders and relaxed body, strikes the perfect balance between classic tailoring and modern comfort.
Underneath, he sports an Eton slim-fit cotton twill dress shirt, its crisp white fabric accented with subtle gray details that add depth and interest. The outfit is elevated by a Brioni geometric silk tie, its subtle yellow hues adding a touch of warmth to the overall look.
A pop of personality comes from the yellow paisley-print silk pocket square by Nordstrom, artfully tucked to add a dash of flair. The look is grounded by navy blue lace-up oxford shoes from Zara’s men’s collection, providing a classic finish to this sophisticated ensemble.
What are some of your best tips about putting together outfits for travel?
I help clients create outfits based on their planned activities, and we usually plan with the weather forecast in mind. This saves them time when packing. I take all those factors and style looks to help them feel comfortable and also stand out. I add accessories to complete the look, taking it to another level. We take pictures, and I label them, adding packing hacks.
For the Cannes Film Festival attendee, it’s elegant and flowy with main character energy; colorful looks for Spain or Italy.
Cute and comfortable shoes are important for clients traveling to places with cobblestones, which are not nice to heels. I recommend elevated platform sneakers, a flat sandal or ballet flat. For trips to England, I recommend a mix of both.
What trends do you see on the horizon?
One of my jobs is to predict trends. I do research and learn about what people are shopping for in beauty, home, fashion and styling.
Western is really trending right now — the cowboy look — which is great for Arizona. Colorful bandanas used as part of an outfit or in the hair are a great way to add color.
Another trend is preppy chic for styling and fashion — polo shirts, elevated outfits for working out or supporting a favorite sports team. Tennis and pickleball outfits are trending — pleated skirts and tennis looks inspired by the movie “Challengers,” starring Zendaya. It’s life imitating art.
Ombre is trending, mixing colors from sunset oranges to pink. Retro Riviera looks are in this summer for holiday style with a seaside feel, natural textures, seashells and raffia.
Since the pandemic, there has been a trend toward color and maximalism with big, bold jewelry. Everyone wants to look their best.
Afi Maita showcases the art of versatile vacation style in this eye-catching ensemble. The whimsical, wavy crop top and midi skirt set by Farm Rio effortlessly transitions from sun-soaked shopping excursions to poolside cocktail parties.
Afi elevates the playful look with statement accessories: White Loewe flower sunglasses add a touch of retro glamor, while the Kurt Geiger London raffia Kensington Eye crossbody bag brings texture and visual interest. The outfit is perfectly punctuated by Larroudé’s Selena ruffle ankle-strap sandals in vibrant mango, introducing a zesty pop of color.
For an extra dash of fun, Afi opts for bold earrings — while the original Camelia Earrings from Rad and Rae are sold out, the green Crystal Lily Drop Earrings by Lele Sadoughi offer a similar statement-making effect.
This ensemble embodies Afi’s philosophy of embracing color and experimenting with accessories, proving that vacation style can be both comfortable and glamorous. It’s a masterclass in mixing patterns, textures and hues for a look that’s sure to turn heads from beachfront to bar.
What are your proudest moments in operating Afi Like Taffy?
One of the things I’m proudest of is that I just celebrated four years as an independent stylist. The force that drove me was “know your worth.” I had to be brave and confident. I now have three jobs — stylist, publication contributor and content creator — and they all intermingle.
One of the most amazing moments was helping a client who recently lost her husband prepare for her son’s wedding. She had been grieving and had gained weight but needed something to wear to the ceremony. I brought four rolling racks of clothing to her home and set up almost a boutique in her bedroom. It had been a hard day, but I told her it was about to get better. She saw the clothing and burst out crying. She felt such relief that I was able to find outfits for her that looked great and made her feel good.
I’ve always felt like I’ve been given all these opportunities, despite tragedy and trauma; things happen for a reason. I moved to the United States for love, and I had to be brave.
Now I use social media to build my brand. I partner with different brands to inform and educate people on my chronic condition of Type 1 diabetes and inspire others with style, lifestyle, bullying awareness, and looking and living their best.
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