Lupita Nyong'o is getting an ''exciting education'' in fashion.

The '12 Years a Slave' actress admits she never had a huge interest in style, but as she promotes the film around the world, the Oscar-winning star is learning to have fun and ''play'' with her look.

She told UK's Grazia magazine: ''I've not always been a fashion fan. I've always cared about what I look like, but with '12 Years' and the tour of promotion around the world, I've been able to explore and play.

''I never knew what the formal fashion industry was up to - it was all a mystery to me. It's all new and an exciting education.''

Lupita is particularly enjoying experimenting with colours.

She added: ''I'm big when it comes to block colour and I gravitate towards the bold colours.''

When it comes to her own fashion icons, the actress admires 'Blue Jasmine' star Cate Blanchett's sense of style.

She said: ''She was the one person I looked up to, studied and referred to continually.''

The 31-year-old star is assisted at red carpet events by stylist Micaela Erlanger, who also counts Winona Ryder and Michelle Dockery among her clients.

Lupita said: ''I don't have a huge team, I have one stylist who I totally adore.''