To make it in the music industry these days, a female singer needs to have it all. She needs to have a great voice and a unique spin on her approach to music, and she also needs to have that extra something. For the four ladies below, that something is personal style.
In a time when celebrities are made and forgotten so quickly, it’s important to be able to set yourself apart from the pack, and Grimes, Azealia Banks, Charli XCX and Lana Del Rey have quickly become fashion’s favorite new sensations.
Grimes
After her most recent and self-directed video “Genesis,” Grimes set herself apart from the pack as not only a singer with a unique style but also a director with a creative mind. She’s been fashion’s “it” girl in 2012 and covered magazines like Dazed & Confused in Givenchy and appeared on the pages and cover of V Magazine’s Youthquake issue. Grimes, whose real name is Claire Boucher, has released three albums, but it was her most recent, “Visions,” that got her in the spotlight. At 24, she’s posed to influence a new realm and sound of modern music – while making waves into the fashion industry.
Azealia Banks
If you haven’t heard of Azealia Banks yet, I’m not sure where you’ve been hiding. Azealia’s fashion street cred is now made up of an ad campaign for T by Alexander Wang, two new music videos that show off her more stylish side, a Dazed & Confused cover that got banned in some countries and endless editorials in fashion magazines. Aside from her overwhelming participation in fashion, 2012 has also been her year due to the hit mix tape “Fantasea” and her never ending release of new songs. With fashion week approaching, we’re sure to see Azealia in the front row of numerous shows and maybe even catch a couple performances from her, so keep your eyes peeled for this new 21-year-old sensation.
Charli XCX
Although Charli XCX hasn’t received quite as much attention as the other ladies on this list, I have a feeling the end of 2012 and beginning of 2013 will be seriously successful for this new starlet. The UK singer was also featured alongside Grimes in the V Magazine Youthquake issue, and she now has all of fashion’s eyes focused on her personal style. Now, we just wait for a designer to take her under his or her wing, and she will be the new “it” girl come 2013. Her music is often described as “goth electropop,” and when her album comes out in October, she will no longer be only an Internet celebrity.
Lana Del Rey
If there is one thing the fashion world loves, it’s Lana Del Rey. She attended the Met Gala this year with Joseph Altuzarra, became the face of H&M and even has a Mulberry bag named after her. In fact, you often can’t open a magazine without seeing her in an editorial. One of her recent music videos, “National Anthem,” featured her as a modern day Jackie Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe showing not only her retro style, but also how easily she can move from the sultry “Video Games” singer to the classic Jackie O. Although her album was not as quick to blow up as you might expect, her recent releases on the Internet have been highlighting her unique voice and interesting melodies. And just like Azealia, the odds of finding Lana in the front row during fashion week are incredibly high and the odds that designers might take inspiration from the singer are even higher.