Guest Blogger Sian O'Donnell tells us about her Style Crush: Paloma Faith.

(Image courtesy of wkrq.com)

I adore this woman for three reasons: she loves Ashish. She rocks a pom pom like no other. She has amazing red hair (she’s basically an improved version of me). Paloma, I think I’m in love!
Seeing her perform at Shepherds Bush Empire in 2010 is when I first fell for her. Evolving in front of our eyes like a tropical bird, not only can this lady belt out a tune but she has enough chat, charisma and charm to keep you hooked from the start. (Her cover of Akon’s, ‘Sexy Chick’ was utterly hypnotising.) Yet it is her statement in fashion which speaks volumes. Without looking too try hard or contrived, Ms. Faith can pull off a look with the flick of a roller and as Louis Walsh would say, “Really make it her own”.

(Image courtesy of telegraph.co.uk)

Her background at Central Saint Martins, working in Agent Provocateur, as a burlesque performer and magicians assistant has helped channel her retro sound and look, yet with enough pure- bred Hackney vibe thrown in to not look like another ‘vintage’ Shoreditch t***.

From being a constant figure on the FROW at all major fashion weeks, performing at Bestival, appearing on political shows or being dressed head-to-toe in next season D&G, the jazz-husked singer and actress takes it all in her stride. Never appearing to take herself too seriously, she rocks a headpiece like no other, giving Anna Dello Russo a serious run for her money.

Her latest album may not be up there with, “Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful” but who really cares- I could spend all day perving over her photos on instagram and still have time for more. Infatuated? You bet.  

Amy, Amy, Amy...

Mingling on a boat in the Adriatic Sea during Soundwave festival, the four fatal words every fan had been dreading came as the sun went down over Croatia; “Amy Winehouse is dead”.

No-where felt the heartbreak and utter loss more vividly than here at HOJ HQ: from her jazzy/hip hop fusion tones (that came with a first album that is up there with the greatest) the rockabilly/yardie style that put 2 fingers up to the trends of the time; to the cab driving, mayfair puffing, foul mouth husk that spoke with utter frankness and an effortlessly raw talent- that was at times distressing to watch yet could mesmerize and spine-tingle an entire nation.

On 23^rd July it will be two years since the ‘Back to Black’ singer perished alone in her Camden house and in celebration of her life that was; her brother Alex has co-curated an intimate exhibition at the Jewish Museum in North London (Amy Winehouse: A Family Portrait) to give further insight into the unique yet lost soul.

Amy’s style was one like no other- all beehive, eyeliner, tats, tits and ballet pumps- her strong aesthetic presence has been emulated by the masses (from Camden-ites to Jean Paul Gaultier). Yet for the summer months, it was all about the tropical print that she adorned on body con dresses and 50’s style tied shirts- from festival tottering on stage like a baby bird to picking up numerous awards and making cups of tea for the awaiting paparazzi outside her manor at 5am- the bright, Hawaiian print was there, trying to keep up along the way. She even incorporated the paradise hues into her S/S 11 Fred Perry collaboration with sleeveless shirts and cropped cherry cardies.

Now you are able to get your inner Amy vibing with a selection of fruity shirts from HOJ that have recently dropped.  Worn in or out, rolled up or down, with denim or clashed with checks- it’s time to embrace the Amy we love.

Now pass the Caribbean twist...