Style & People

• Previous Pure Platinum
• Style-Setters Julia, Leigh, Byrdie, and Others Party On At Last Night's Roxy/JBL Fete Next

• May 19, 2009
• My Style

Muses Matter

With new albums and equally chart-topping looks, our six musical muses put the beat in great style. By Megan Baldwin & Olivia Jade Horner

They got us with their voices. But dang, if these six style-setting songbirds don't look impossibly good whilst wielding a microphone. Dressed in feathered headbands and fur overlays, glitter, gold and pretty much whatever else they please; their aesthetics (like their vocals) are fiercely individual. But whether fetchingly ethereal, hard-edged, or David Bowie glam, they certainly know how to rock it. So how to impart a bit of Karen O's riot girl ethos or Annie Clark's captivating otherworldliness? To help you strike a fashion chord (and be the best dressed on this summer's festival circuit), we've distilled the stylistic essence of these musical muses down to a few key pieces. Totally worth idolizing.


1. Annie Clark, St. Vincent



The New Album: Actor

The Look: Beyond being one of our favorites at South by Southwest, Annie Clark also gets our applause for her almost Parisian knack for making easy basics, like blousy dresses and flats look effortlessly chic. Known for choosing neutral hues that compliment her porcelain skin, dark tendrils, and carved features her look is ethereal yet made for everyday.

The Goods:



Above, clockwise from left: Wouters & Hendrix Multi-strand Charm Necklace, $290, available at La Garçonne; Topshop Linen Trilby, $40, available at Topshop; Duwop Iced Teas Lip Treatment, $19, available at Sephora; Topshop Kali Tassle Loafers, $100, available at Topshop; Mayle Senna Jacket, $297.50, available at La Garçonne.


2. Shingai Shoniwa, Noisettes



The New Album: Wild Young Hearts

The Look: We dare you to watch Shingai Shoniwa stomp around on stage like an Amazonian warrior and not be inspired. For one she's got looks to rival Grace Jones. And then there's her fearless use of flamboyant prints, face paint, and austere hairstyles befitting a New Wave Nefertiti. Count us among the totally mesmerized.

The Goods:




Above, clockwise from bottom left: American Apparel Foil Print Minidress, $48, available at American Apparel; Opening Ceremony Silk Cocktail Headpiece, $255, available Opening Ceremony; Giles & Brother Irular Collar Necklace, $540, available at Shop Bop; Rojas Floral Print Bustier, $68, available at New High Mart; Topshop Leather Tab Leopard-Print Belt, $50, available at Topshop.

Seon Young

See more...

• 

  Chic Wolf

• 

  Boy Meets Girl

• 

  Bohemian Rhapsody

• 

  Black Magic