Music lovers are set to descend into the Indio, California desert this weekend to mark the 15th anniversay of Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Three days of concerts, dancing and celebrity spotting is on the agenda. With festival fashion influencing a bounty of SS15 collections, take inspiration from this year’s headliners in our songstress style roundup.
By Christopher Prince
FKA Twigs, Image Courtesy of Getty Images
The Bio 27-year old FKA Twigs (Tahliah Debrett Barnett to be exact) enters Coachella fresh from dropping her debut album, LP1. Her single ‘Two Weeks‘ was met with critical accalim, climbing the UK Indie Top 10 and influencing a wave of electronic female soloists in its wake. The Look The singers eclectic style riffs on 90s RnB, with high waisted trousers, bustiers and hoop earrings the codes of her signature style. She often elevates sportswear with heels and coils her hair in braids with dramatic kiss curls framing her face. The Inspiration Take note from DKNY with a co-ord ensemble in graphic liquourice stripes, or throwback to a Versace glamazon with an emblem printed shirt. Whether mixed with a KTZ bomber jacket or paired with belted culottes via Jil Sander, it’s all about achieving an oversized silhouette.
Florence + the Machine, Image Courtesy of Getty Images
The Bio An angel for the 21st Century, the ethereal Florence Welch and her Machine are set to release their third studio album, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful this May. Following the release of their debut album Lungs, which won the MasterCard British Album of the Year at the 2010 BRIT Awards, and a stellar follow up, Ceremonials which claimed the top spot on the UK Albums Chart, the band are set to hit Coachella again after their 2012 appearance. The Look Often seen in floaty numbers, SS15’s vibe for the seventies goes hand-in-hand with Welch’s sartorial aesthetic. Her copper locks and pale skin offset a wardrobe filled with both luxury and high street pieces. On stage she opts for drama in cape silhouettes, adorning herself with flowers and ribbon like a modern day Ophelia. The Inspiration The key is to choose clothes with a slight vintage feel. Welch’s penchant for Gucci – wallpaper prints, platform sandals and a wide brimmed fedora, lends itself to the current throwback trend embraced by the likes of Dries van Noten, Pucci, Etro and Missoni. For a more romantic ideal flock to Valentino and Chloé with pieces swathed in lace and crystals.
Kimbra, Image Courtesy of Getty Images
The Bio Kimbra might be a name you’ve never heard of, but her single in collaboration with Melbourne based Goyte titled, ‘Somebody That I Used to Know‘ sold more than 13 million copies in 2011, making it one of the best selling singles of all time. Since then Kimbra has gone on to release a debut album Vows, and is set to drop her sophmore record The Golden Echo this August. The Look There’s nothing reserved about Kimbra’s avant-garde style. The New Zealander loves to emulate the famous Pin up imagery of the 50s, playing with sheer and frilled materials in feminine forms. The Inspiration Reference Marc by Marc Jacobs’s mix-and-match biker girl complete with pleather leggings or don an artistic sheath dress from Peter Pilotto smattered in appliqué paisley shapes. Feeling a little more grown up? Let Thakoon’s graphic printed two piece or Michael Kors’s pretty floral tea dress see you throughout the day.
Lykke Li, Image Courtesy of Getty Images
The Bio This quiet, unassuming Swedish indie-pop starlet has been thrilling us with her musical talents since 2007. An avid supporter of synth sounds, Lykee Li’s 2008 debut album, Youth Novels, spent twenty non-consecutive weeks on the Swedish Album Charts. Citing a developed sound in her latest album, I Never Learn, released in 2014, Rolling Stone’s Sophie Weiner noted, “If Lykke Li keeps refining her voice, she’ll soon rank as an A-list pop heart-crusher.” The Look Black on black with every dark shade in between, Lykke Li loves the gothic drama of monochrome dressing. Many of her event looks involve a high-neck silhouette, signature centre-parted hair and khol eyes. But this songstress is no wallflower. Though black can be fairly monotonous at times, Lykke mixes things up with texture in leather, fringe and knitwear. The Inspiration Spring/summer is usually associated with bright hues, but this season it was all about the colour black to transition from day to night – or from festival to dinner in one fell swoop. Add extra glamour in Givenchy’s shimmery fringe bolero, add a touch of easy elegance in a Balenciaga halterneck jumpsuit or let the wind catch your hem in a Céline tunic dress complete with a useful side pocket.
Marina and the Diamonds, Image Courtesy of Getty Images
The Bio Singer-songwriter Marina Diamandis was born from Greek descent but hails from Welsh shores in the tiny village of Brynmawr. Her new wave sound caught the attention from the music industry with her debut album, The Family Jewels hitting number one on the charts in 2010. Meanwhile electropop informed her follow up record, Electra Heart in 2012. The Look Marina’s hair is the talk of the town above any sartorial move. Pink, lilac, grey, blonde with extra dark roots or brunette, her tresses are the inspiration behind her character of the moment. With a rather drastic wardrobe, Marina chooses outlandish designs, usually returning to a girlish aesthetic complete with kooky prints. The Inspiration Let your inner little girl shine by dressing in all manner of saccharine sweet garb. Emulating Marina Diamandis involves buckets of irony and a dash of humour which is why the likes of Jeremy Scott – for his own label and at Moschino – is a perfect choice for Barbie glamour. If you’re not feeling brave then Oscar de la Renta’s girlish check printed jacket and shorts combination or Vivienne Tam’s watercolour motif dress are at hand to aid festival goers.
St. Vincent, Image Courtesy of Getty Images
The Bio Perhaps the most elusive member of our songstress roundup, St. Vincent, formally known as Anne Erin Clark, is America’s answer to art rock music. Currently residing in downtown Manhattan, Clark has opened shows for such acts as The Black Keys, Arcade Fire, Andrew Bird and Jolie Holland. This year she collected her first Grammy award in the Best Alternative Album category for her self-titled 2014 record. The Look Clark’s kooky style combines a wild mass of curly platinum hair and bold beautiful eyebrows. She opts for structured pieces, strong in texture and is often seen in streamlined silhouettes that compliment her linear frame. The Inspiration St. Vincent is an ideal artist for those trying to vibe a minimal style. The SS15 runways still tread the periphery of normcore, highlighted at the likes of Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein and Prabal Gurung who clung to starched white separates. For added glitz look to Rodarte’s mermaid dress, or belt up in an archival Raf Simons for Dior zippered jumpsuit.
