Girls Just Wanna

fashion

girls just wanna Photography Will Whipple Fashion Editor Cristina Aranda

Four of the hottest new female dance artists show us what they’re made of

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Y AS M IN S H A H M IR

The in-demand hip hop DJ who’s now mkaing waves with her own tunes She’s conquered hip hop; now, with her own material, it’s time for Yasmin to set her sights on the world beyond. In the past year she’s supported Dizzee Rascal at Ibiza Rocks, played at Glastonbury, supported N.E.R.D, started her own night in London and has begun working on her own material, with ShyFX co-producing a few tracks. But she still won’t spend hundreds of pounds on a handbag, as her parents taught her to be careful with money. “I never dress up too much because I don’t want anything to take away from the fact I’m a good DJ,” she says.

“I hate hype and fuss – but I can hype myself up with a few mojitos!” With her new tracks coming out at the beginning of next year and judging by the buzz around her already, she’s certainly going to have to keep those mojitos coming thick and fast... www.myspace.com/yasmindj Yasmin wears fur jacket, £POA, Reem (www.reemalasandi.com), tricot leggings, £28, American Apparel (www.american apparel.co.uk), Eleonora wedges, £250, Kurt Geiger (www.kurtgeiger.com)

Model wears Diamond grid bra, £15 and dress worn back-to-front, £37, American Apparel (americanapparel. co.uk)

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S H E IS D ANG E R

This electronica/ dubsteppy duo are as ambitious as they are dangerous Before Maya Jane Coles (right) and Lena Cullen met and formed She Is Danger two years ago, they were both were doing very different things. Maya has produced music for seven years, starting in hip hop and then moving into a more electronic sound. Having played the piano and sung for as long as she can remember, Lena has been more influenced by jazz, funk, soul, reggae and dub. As She is Danger they have remixed Massive Attack and Gorillaz, have a debut album out the next year and a scheduled tour this autumn. But the pair also have successful side projects. Maya’s dubstep productions as Nocturnal Sunshine are supported by Joy Orbison, and she also DJs tech-house under her own name, with gigs in Japan, Ibiza and Berlin. Lena is currently collaborating with Emalkay, Doorly and the Engineers, but their difference can perhaps more clearly be illustrated by their choice of clothes. Maya just wears her usual garms when performing, whereas Lena’s choice reflects her mood. “I like to explore different sides of myself with my clothes. Just like music, really. Sometimes I feel bright, colourful and happy, other times, dark and moody.” www.myspace.com/sheisdangermusic Lena wears Tassel collar, £75, no:wear (www. nowear.co.uk), Laurie corset, £150, Striptease Ballet knickers, £26, fishnet tights, £7, all What Katie Did (www.whatkatiedid.com), Glam platform, £240, Kurt Geiger (www.my-wardrobe. com), Horse-hair head piece, £POA, The Original FiFi Lamshtrumph (www.theofl.co.uk) Maya wears Vest, £6, Topshop (www.topshop. com), Union Jack jumper, £60, Religion (www. religionclothing.co.uk), necklace artist’s own, Rolland Berry sneakers, £69.99, Reebok (www. reebok.com), jeans and belt, Maya’s own.

RU B Y G O E

Ruby’s ‘Retro futuristic’ sound is getting more attention than her ‘batty riders’...

Ruby doesn’t see her job as work. “It was never a case of wanting to work in music. I was lucky enough to know this was my life path, whether or not it was going to make me money,” she says. Three years ago Ruby was at a performing arts school and singing backing vocals for Angie Stone. Then she started writing her own material, meeting producers and honing her craft. Having been locked away in a studio, Ruby is now ready to unleashed her debut album. She bounces around our set wearing an outfit she designed herself. Even though she’s clearly style-savvy, she claims to make fashion mistakes every day. “I’m the sort of person who just throws things together. I’ll go to a wedding and then realise, maybe a string vest and batty riders isn’t really appropriate...” www.myspace.com/rubygoe Ruby wears Playsuit and shoes, Ruby’s own, Alice knuckle-duster, £260, Rogue (www. byrogue.tv); watch and necklace artist’s own

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LOU HAYTER

Keyboardist for New Young Pony Club and half of DJ duo, Lou & Nova It’s no surprise that Lou oozes style. Her best friend and DJ partner, Nova, is a stylist for La Roux and Klaxons. When they’re not scouring vintage outlets, the pair DJ together as Lou & Nova, their eclectic style encompassing everything from pop sets at weddings to old-skool acid house for warehouse parties. Nova makes a lot of Lou’s stage clothes, including the black velvet jumpsuit she wears in our shoot, which was created from a design Lou spotted in a charity shop. Lou describes her style as French Classic, with “a lot of black, welltailored trousers, trenchcoats, brogues and red lipstick.” As well as DJing with Nova and playing the keyboard with NYPC, Lou’s in another band, New Sins, which is influenced by her love of early house, electro and, er, Bananarama. What’s more, she co-wrote ‘Love Pattern’ EP by Mickey Moonlight, out now on Ed Banger Records. Busy? You bet. www.myspace.com/thenewsins Lou wears Jumpsuit, Lou’s own

Photographer Will Whipple Fashion Editor Cristina Aranda Fashion Assistant Sylvie Gianella Hair & make-up Rebecca Wordingham using MAC Hair & make-up Assistants Calli Paice & Aisha Torap Words Bridget Mills-Powell

[[1l]] september 2010