7 Musical Muses Whose Style Rocks Our World
Ranging from bad-ass South African gangsterism to the fresh-faced grace of a Brit songstress, the tunes blaring on our iPod are almost as varied as the musicians who craft them. And with this mishmash of sound—think Zola Jesus' ethereal operatics or Jessie J's pop-friendly dance tunes—each artist comes with wildly different and incredibly covetable styles. Suddenly, on top of singing along to Oh Land's "Son Of A Gun," we now want to blunt-cut our bangs like Die Antwoord's Yo-Landi, and go thrift-shopping for beach style with Tennis' Alaina Moore. Not every musician has to be a fashion inspiration, but we must admit: It's awfully awesome when our fave artist looks as good as they sound rocking the stage. Here are the songbirds currently inspiring us!
Ellie Goulding
Both images via Goulding's Last.Fm.
The Sound: It will be nearly impossible to mention 2011 in music without talking about Ellie Goulding. The Brit It-Girl not only sweeped at the BRIT awards, but she'll be at every summer festival you can name. Her upbeat sound and breathy voice is the soundtrack both to our workouts and our evenings at home.
The Style: Perfect for the warm weather, Ellie's bright eyes and pale lips are anytime-appropriate. Girly, effortless, and classic, her girl-next-door vibe is always modernized with a bright print or her dreamy, flawless waves (can her hair be any more perfect?).
The Goods: Lover Coppelia Cotton Lace T-Shirt, $350, available at Net-a-Porter; Lancome Hypnose Waterproof Mascara, $24.50, available at Buy; Kyler By Joy O Coyote Pendant, $78, available at Kyler Designs; Topshop Cream Rose Dress, $75, available at Topshop; Madewell Striped Spring Polo, $59.50, available at Madewell; Beauty Is Life Lipstick, $28, available at Barneys.
Rye Rye
Left, image via Female Rappers; Right, image via Big Stereo.
The Sound: Emerging from mix-tape culture, the hard-hitting emcee Rye Rye was discovered by M.I.A., who called the young artist the "voice of Baltimore." We fell in love when she brought her boogie-tastic beats to Alexander Wang's post-Fashion Week carnival last year, and her kinetic energy and club-friendly tunes keep our booties shaking.
The Style: Once a protégé of the always stylish M.I.A., Rye Rye has stepped out of her mentor's shadow—but has borrowed a couple of her brightly colored tricks. Where M.I.A. embraced global patterns and an inherently Brit sensibility, Rye Rye rocks some real-deal Baltimore street style. We love matching her hair with her clothes, the excess of pink, and of course, those incredible door-knocker earrings.
The Goods: Manic Panic In Green Envy, $9.50, available at The Bruised Boutique; GirlProps Wing Earrings, $7.99, available at GirlProps; Jessica Simpson Ruffle Bustier, $29.99, available at Jessica Simpson; Deena & Ozzy Clear Metal Trim Purse, $39, available at Urban Outfitters; Diane von Furstenberg Miggy Poplin Shorts, $200, available at Net-a-Porter.
Jessie J.
The Sound: We dig this influx of smart, savvy pop mistresses hitting our ears—Robyn, Adele, and now Jessie J., who sounds like Pink and Nicki Minaj's love child…if she were born across the pond.
The Style: Imagine Katy Perry's dark side, with flat-ironed black hair and thick swipes of black eyeliner. Except Jessie isn't just vamp: Her playful style of pin-up elements with killer tights, cheeky hair accessories, and mega-hoops show the singer can switch effortlessly between sex-kitten and LOLcat.
The Goods: House of Holland Fringed Tights, $27.99, available at Modcloth; Vena Cava Bomber Jacket, $310, available at Refinery29 Boutiques; Juicy Couture Multi-Layer Fringe Bracelet, $100, available at Ssense; MAC Russian Red Lipstick, $14.50, available at MAC; Halston Heritage Sandals, $225, available at Net-A-Porter.
Ellie Goulding
Both images via Goulding's Last.Fm.
The Sound: It will be nearly impossible to mention 2011 in music without talking about Ellie Goulding. The Brit It-Girl not only sweeped at the BRIT awards, but she'll be at every summer festival you can name. Her upbeat sound and breathy voice is the soundtrack both to our workouts and our evenings at home.
The Style: Perfect for the warm weather, Ellie's bright eyes and pale lips are anytime-appropriate. Girly, effortless, and classic, her girl-next-door vibe is always modernized with a bright print or her dreamy, flawless waves (can her hair be any more perfect?).
The Goods: Lover Coppelia Cotton Lace T-Shirt, $350, available at Net-a-Porter; Lancome Hypnose Waterproof Mascara, $24.50, available at Buy; Kyler By Joy O Coyote Pendant, $78, available at Kyler Designs; Topshop Cream Rose Dress, $75, available at Topshop; Madewell Striped Spring Polo, $59.50, available at Madewell; Beauty Is Life Lipstick, $28, available at Barneys.
Rye Rye
Left, image via Female Rappers; Right, image via Big Stereo.
The Sound: Emerging from mix-tape culture, the hard-hitting emcee Rye Rye was discovered by M.I.A., who called the young artist the "voice of Baltimore." We fell in love when she brought her boogie-tastic beats to Alexander Wang's post-Fashion Week carnival last year, and her kinetic energy and club-friendly tunes keep our booties shaking.
The Style: Once a protégé of the always stylish M.I.A., Rye Rye has stepped out of her mentor's shadow—but has borrowed a couple of her brightly colored tricks. Where M.I.A. embraced global patterns and an inherently Brit sensibility, Rye Rye rocks some real-deal Baltimore street style. We love matching her hair with her clothes, the excess of pink, and of course, those incredible door-knocker earrings.
The Goods: Manic Panic In Green Envy, $9.50, available at The Bruised Boutique; GirlProps Wing Earrings, $7.99, available at GirlProps; Jessica Simpson Ruffle Bustier, $29.99, available at Jessica Simpson; Deena & Ozzy Clear Metal Trim Purse, $39, available at Urban Outfitters; Diane von Furstenberg Miggy Poplin Shorts, $200, available at Net-a-Porter.
Jessie J.
The Sound: We dig this influx of smart, savvy pop mistresses hitting our ears—Robyn, Adele, and now Jessie J., who sounds like Pink and Nicki Minaj's love child…if she were born across the pond.
The Style: Imagine Katy Perry's dark side, with flat-ironed black hair and thick swipes of black eyeliner. Except Jessie isn't just vamp: Her playful style of pin-up elements with killer tights, cheeky hair accessories, and mega-hoops show the singer can switch effortlessly between sex-kitten and LOLcat.
The Goods: House of Holland Fringed Tights, $27.99, available at Modcloth; Vena Cava Bomber Jacket, $310, available at Refinery29 Boutiques; Juicy Couture Multi-Layer Fringe Bracelet, $100, available at Ssense; MAC Russian Red Lipstick, $14.50, available at MAC; Halston Heritage Sandals, $225, available at Net-A-Porter.
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