Paloma Faith, Greatest Hits

We take a look at the style evolution of music’s most glamorous chameleon…

She’s the girl with the big hair, trademark vampish lips, that old school dance hall voice and possesses the most exciting wardrobe in music. Paloma Faith’s style is so herself that it’s difficult to separate the singer from her irrepressible collection of designer dresses and as-kitsch-as-they-come headpieces. Ever since her ?arrival? in 2009, she’s been a presence that has audiences flocking to her livewire shows and fashion magazines chasing her latest look. Her chat show appearances have charmed every interviewer going and her attitude to daily dress is our go-to spirit animal for when we want to channel our inner theatrical darling. When in doubt, throw an oversized flower in that hair and slick on the liquid eyeliner.

Born and raised in London, Paloma’s style has been informed by her life experience. That burlesque silhouette harks back to her burlesque dancing days while her constantly sexy edge is an ode to her time as an Agent Provocateur shop girl. She took a masters in directing and theatre design in the impressive Central Saint Martins so that explains the screen presence and there may have been a stint as a magicians assistant?

However it was a chance gig with a fifties cover band that helped pave the way to international fashion stardom. Her full embrace of the forties and fifties aesthetic with a neon twist right out of the 1980s dance scene excites and thrills the industry so much that this spring the starlet was signed to Next Model Management. After her performance at the Burberry Autumn/Winter 2014 catwalk show in February might we finally see Paloma sashay down the runway?

In an interview with us earlier this week she talked about her rapproach to her on and offstage wardrobe.??I’d never wear anything that I didn’t think was brilliant. But I’ve got a really good stylist called?Karl Willett. He knows what I like and I trust him implicitly. We don’t often disagree.? Her mother isn’t as effusive however. In 2009 Paloma told the Guardian, ?My mum, who burned her bra, thinks it’s hilarious that I wear corsets and stockings. She says I’m trussing myself up like a slave.?

These days see Paloma venturing outside the full skirt space with some pretty adventurous latex trousers and tartan suit that is becoming a regular feature on her beautifully curated Instagram. We’re putting all this down to her latest album. A Perfect Contradiction marks a departure from her ballad laden past releases. Plenty of room for stomping, and if you’re after a weekend of carefree summer dancing Miss Paloma Faith shall be headlining the Groove Festival in Bray next month (what do you mean you haven’t bought your ticket yet?).

In the meantime take a wander through our gallery of some of her finest fashion moments courtesy of her Instagram.

Jeanne Sutton @jeannedesutun

For more details about the Groove Festival visit www.groovefestival.ie