Girl of the Month: Alison Mosshart
Super-groups, in general, are better in theory than they are in reality (remember the Traveling Wilburys? Yeah, not so much.) While we love the idea of combining amazingly talented individuals who are already well-established in the music community, we aren't always fans of the mish-mashing of musical styles and personalities. However, when we heard that Jack White of The White Stripes was forming a kind of supergroup side project, The Dead Weather, we have to admit we got a bit giddy. The main reason for said joyous response: Alison Mosshart. This Florida-born, raven-haired singer/songwriter (she's one half of The Kills with Jamie Hince, Kate Moss' main squeeze) is the lead singer of the band, which will be on tour this summer to promote their just-released album, Horehound. While we can't wait to watch this gang of four perform (Dean Fertita and Jack Lawrence round out the quartet), we also are excited to see Mosshart and her stellar style on stage. She not only possesses an exceptional sound, but she also happens to be an icon to fashion-conscious rockers on both sides of the pond. Mosshart's grunge-glam-punk look, impeccably worn-in wardrobe, and devil-may-care attitude are incredibly covetable and inspirational, hence why we're showcasing it in today's installment of Girl of the Month.
While combing through hundreds of images of Mosshart, we were thrilled to find that the songstress isn't some hyper-styled, perfectly coifed performer; on the contrary, the main ingredient of Mosshart's undeniable allure is that her breed of chic is low-key, understated, effortless, and authentic—in short, our favorite kind! Mosshart seems to strike the right chord time and time again: she's clearly a fashion fan, yet remains completely unaffected by its pomp and circumstance. If you ask Mosshart about her style icon status, she demures, claiming that she wears the same clothes over and over again and that her personal style can be attributed to whatever is splayed on the floor of her flat. However, when said pieces are Anne Demeulemeester jumpers, Dior Homme gold boots (she has a few pairs specially ordered each season), and Marc Jacobs tees (specifically her favorite circa-2006 "Photo Studio" shirt, which she has been known to lend to Moss) there's no denying that the girl has a smart sartorial sensibility and a keen ability to seamlessly weave high and low fashions with aplomb!
Whether she's attending a private dinner in honor of Stella McCartney at Harvey Nichols (second from left, in an Fair Isle cardigan, polka dot blouse and black jeans), the 2008 Glastonbury Music Festival (middle, in a ripped up vintage tee, plaid work shirt, faded green hoodie, and black nail polish) or showing support for Primal Scream's latest album, Beautiful Future, hosted by Diesel Black Gold (second to right, in shredded skinny blue jeans, the same plaid button up; and a vintage Navajo blanket shawl), she looks undone, unfussy, a bit disheveled—in a good way—and devastatingly cool!
Though attaining the certain je ne sais quoi quality of Mosshart's look is easier said than done, we have provided some selections that mimic some of her go-to garments and will add a little rock'n'roll into your everyday rotation. First of all, start with some seriously skin-tight stovepipe jeans as a good base: we highly recommend Topshop's Black Skinny Baxter Jeans ($80) or bebe's Distressed Zip Pocket Skinny Jeans ($139). Pick your favorite ripped up vintage concert t-shirt and layer either John Eshaya's Red Plaid Shirt ($84) or Steven Alan's Plaid Boyfriend Fit Shirt
($160) over it for a masculine-feminine mix. Though Mosshart may have multiple pairs of Hedi Slimane for Dior Homme boots in gold and black, as well as a killer pair of vintage snakeskin western-style boots, we have gathered a duo of outstanding alternates: We Who See's Field Boot ($128) has a slight heel and the tied-up combat feel of their grungier Dr. Marten counterpart, while Frye's Deborah Bootie
($398) is perfectly distressed for those who prefer a worn-in appeal.
And while summer clearly isn't the most useful time for a heavy blanket coat (though this will be a wardrobe essential come fall, according to the runways), we are into Twenty8Twelve's Yasmin Waistcoat ($272). It reflects the classic Fair Isle pattern, complete with eye-catching designs, and the sleeveless shape will prevent any overheating at your favorite music festival or outdoor show. Just add a coat or two of a great black polish (while Mosshart has pledged her devotion to Chanel's Satin Black Nail Varnish, we like Flatte Black Nail Polish ($22) by Knock Out Cosmetics just as much) and you'll have the Mosshart look in no time at all!—KM
Images from WENN and Getty Images.
While combing through hundreds of images of Mosshart, we were thrilled to find that the songstress isn't some hyper-styled, perfectly coifed performer; on the contrary, the main ingredient of Mosshart's undeniable allure is that her breed of chic is low-key, understated, effortless, and authentic—in short, our favorite kind! Mosshart seems to strike the right chord time and time again: she's clearly a fashion fan, yet remains completely unaffected by its pomp and circumstance. If you ask Mosshart about her style icon status, she demures, claiming that she wears the same clothes over and over again and that her personal style can be attributed to whatever is splayed on the floor of her flat. However, when said pieces are Anne Demeulemeester jumpers, Dior Homme gold boots (she has a few pairs specially ordered each season), and Marc Jacobs tees (specifically her favorite circa-2006 "Photo Studio" shirt, which she has been known to lend to Moss) there's no denying that the girl has a smart sartorial sensibility and a keen ability to seamlessly weave high and low fashions with aplomb!
Whether she's attending a private dinner in honor of Stella McCartney at Harvey Nichols (second from left, in an Fair Isle cardigan, polka dot blouse and black jeans), the 2008 Glastonbury Music Festival (middle, in a ripped up vintage tee, plaid work shirt, faded green hoodie, and black nail polish) or showing support for Primal Scream's latest album, Beautiful Future, hosted by Diesel Black Gold (second to right, in shredded skinny blue jeans, the same plaid button up; and a vintage Navajo blanket shawl), she looks undone, unfussy, a bit disheveled—in a good way—and devastatingly cool!
Though attaining the certain je ne sais quoi quality of Mosshart's look is easier said than done, we have provided some selections that mimic some of her go-to garments and will add a little rock'n'roll into your everyday rotation. First of all, start with some seriously skin-tight stovepipe jeans as a good base: we highly recommend Topshop's Black Skinny Baxter Jeans ($80) or bebe's Distressed Zip Pocket Skinny Jeans ($139). Pick your favorite ripped up vintage concert t-shirt and layer either John Eshaya's Red Plaid Shirt ($84) or Steven Alan's Plaid Boyfriend Fit Shirt
And while summer clearly isn't the most useful time for a heavy blanket coat (though this will be a wardrobe essential come fall, according to the runways), we are into Twenty8Twelve's Yasmin Waistcoat ($272). It reflects the classic Fair Isle pattern, complete with eye-catching designs, and the sleeveless shape will prevent any overheating at your favorite music festival or outdoor show. Just add a coat or two of a great black polish (while Mosshart has pledged her devotion to Chanel's Satin Black Nail Varnish, we like Flatte Black Nail Polish ($22) by Knock Out Cosmetics just as much) and you'll have the Mosshart look in no time at all!—KM
Images from WENN and Getty Images.
Alison Mosshart is not a celebrity......total rip-off poser.......chk her look pre Jennifer Herrema! haaaaaaa!!! http://decibelmagazine.com/Content.aspx?ncid=317120
Posted by: Erin | 2009-07-17 10:49:24
Alison Mosshart is not a celebrity.......a total rip-off and poseur http://decibelmagazine.com/Content.aspx?ncid=317120 make sure to chk the video of her look before she started ripping Jennifer Herrema off.......why don't you feature the real deal!
Posted by: Erin | 2009-07-17 10:45:31
alison is completely incredible! i think her style is top notch. i find her very inspiring.
Posted by: shelby | 2009-07-12 16:29:05
Guys, I'm pretty sure Alison Mosshart has been dressing like this since way before the whole hipster trend. As much as I am kind of the hipster sterotype, I really see Mosshart as grunge and not hipster.
Posted by: Kate | 2009-07-07 08:23:37
it's not like she asked to be poster girl of the month... geez, if the WWWDn girls thought she was interesting and worth a look, I don't see what's so bad about a mention or at least an appreciation. seriously, everyone including ones with negative criticism at least bothered to check out this article to see what the buzz was all about.... ;)
Posted by: Vic | 2009-06-29 22:23:32
ugh, www what is going on?
Posted by: sarah | 2009-06-29 15:27:16
i heart the mosshart
Posted by: Blau von T | 2009-06-28 08:02:02
To isabel, not one time did I say that you couldn't voice your opinion. I said that it was unbecoming to call women pricks. I disagreed with almost everyone on this post about her look because I HATE grunge. Not one time did I say that they couldn't voice their opinion. Grow up. There's a difference between calling someone names and voicing an opinion. When you learn the difference, let me know.
Posted by: mochababe73 | 2009-06-26 20:56:48
jeez calm down kids, she may not dress in the stereotypical, lauren conrad- y look but the lady has style. she lends to kate moss, if you needed further examples! have a peek at my blog if you enjoy all things luella, vintage, lula magazine, pastel colours and sophia coppola! http://delicatessenofstyle.blogspot.com/ x
Posted by: delicatessen! | 2009-06-26 14:19:43
I love her! the kills are amazing and she is an awesome performer and i love those gold boots she always wears!! shes wearing them on the last pic to the right! FIERCE
Posted by: Tatiana | 2009-06-25 18:34:53
Hey mochababe73 it's very unbecoming of you to tell someone how to voice their opinion.
Posted by: isabel | 2009-06-25 12:37:33
The grunge look wasn't cool when I was a teen, and now that I'm an ADULT, it's still not cool. No one is saying that she had to be groomed within an inch of her life at all times. She just looks like she rolled out of bed and picked up what was ever laying on the floor. It's not cute. It's not fun. It's not edgy. And to isabel. Can you give a good, honest post without calling names. It's very unbecoming to call women pricks.
Posted by: mochababe73 | 2009-06-25 08:24:20
FINALLY! love her
Posted by: Sarah | 2009-06-24 21:45:51
Some of you girls should really relax. From the nature of the photos, you can see that these weren't taken at premieres or anything of that nature so why would you play dress ups. What is clear is that she has developed her own sense of style and it is consistent.. so she is comfortable. I don't think that when you see these types of posts that you should necessarily go out and buy the outfit they are wearing, that is just silly, but admire them as they have found their own style and hope that one day, you can own your own and not give a sh*t. When the hipster scene wears away, she will still dress in this same way. Besides, it is onstage that you can rather a real sense of her character.
Posted by: Laz | 2009-06-24 03:36:53
"hipster homeless" has been and will always be a contradiction in terms. just because the billionaire Olsen duo made it a trend does not mean it LOOKS good. if someone jumps off a bridge...
Posted by: karen | 2009-06-23 22:43:44
um, yuck. WHO is this person? And why is she wearing all my leftover fabric?
Posted by: Karen | 2009-06-23 22:39:42
I feel I need to clarify that I'm not necessarily knocking her individual style. It's just that women who dress exactly like her have been ubiquitous for the past couple of years. It would be nice to see WWWD cover different types of styles ranging from classic to more unconventional. I'm tired of the suggestion that if you aren't standing pigeon-toed wearing a mismatched ill-fitting clothes you aren't "stylish".
Posted by: lola | 2009-06-23 18:45:43
I love her! I think it's cool to be a bit different, and surely fashion's all about controversy? I'm a massive fan of the black-and-white cardigan thing second from right - I'd love to style that with a black dress and bright flat boots! http://dreamingspiresandoldcartyres.blogspot.com/
Posted by: MJ | 2009-06-23 17:46:29
Why you be hatin'? Why ain't you appreciatin'? :-) I have to say that of all the people you've featured, Mosshart's style matches closest to my own. Besides her white specs, I wear something similar to this almost every weekend. She's indie and I love it. And no it's probably not for everyone. Go to the GAP if all you want to wear are cardigans, chanelesque quilted purses and flats. Mosshart is rocking it.
Posted by: LuLu WL | 2009-06-23 16:21:54
I've had my eye on Alison for a while. In an Interview spread she wore her own jewelry and key pieces mixed in with couture. Even though such trick has been done before, I thought she pulled it off magnificently (her voice came through!).
Posted by: Cheap and Cheer | 2009-06-23 14:38:05
loooooooove her. why so many haters? she's adorable and genuinely rock chic
Posted by: LovesGemma | 2009-06-23 13:52:31
Soooo let me get this straight,hot grunge mess is now in fashion? This is particularly disturbing as her hair has enough oil in it to fry up a whole chicken and every outfit looks like it would be featured on 'Walk of Shame' monthly. Is this a joke? Tounge firmly in cheek?
Posted by: blinkbunny | 2009-06-23 13:27:41
Yeah I can't get past the Traveling Wilburys comment- they are one of my all time favorite bands!!
Posted by: Kim | 2009-06-23 12:19:31
To all you girls who are being total pricks. She looked like this way before the whole "hipster homeless" look became trendy. But of course your young minds cannot comprehend legit style because posers have gotten so good at mimicking it.
Posted by: isabel | 2009-06-23 11:53:16
she's great. but this works because she werksss it and is cool. an average jane would ruin it. egotrippingatthegates.blogspot.com
Posted by: D | 2009-06-23 11:48:11
I agree wholeheartedly with Lola. This girl looks AWFUL, the clothes are baggy and quite frankly she looks like a homeless person. Slouchy plaid is SO OLD and she doesn't even look like she bothers to wash her face, ever. Truly disappointing post; get it together, WWWD girls.
Posted by: kim | 2009-06-23 11:09:08
The last outfits the best. I thought I recognized that photo studio shirt... I've definately seen it on Kate Moss. Love the Dior Homme boots too...
Posted by: nicole | 2009-06-23 10:46:22
is grunge back now? someone kill me.
Posted by: Dawn | 2009-06-23 10:45:41
cute outtfits! xo http://yvetteyeau.com
Posted by: Yvette | 2009-06-23 10:17:27
First of all, I love the Traveling Wilburys, so to each their own. Second of all, I do like Mosshart's ability to mix different patterns for a comfortable and casual look, though some of them (looks 2 and 4) aren't very flattering. With that said, I must agree with lola. Casual "hip" looks are interesting and important, but I feel that that is all that is ever featured when it comes to personal style displays. The ability to pull off a cardigan, flats and classic bag is just as important, if not more so, as being able to look "hip."
Posted by: mollymc18 | 2009-06-23 10:13:37
Yeah, you'd have to be an actual rock star to pull off the Bolivian potato farmer look.
Posted by: Phoebe | 2009-06-23 09:21:11
Hell Yes! She is adorable. Although, I hate it when celebrity's pull the, "I never think about fashion and just wear whatever is lying on my floor," card. Please. It's ok to care about how you look - even if you're a Rockstar!
Posted by: Llew | 2009-06-23 09:14:01
Guys seriously. When are you going to feature someone with a more sophisticate, polished style? Not one of those outfits enhance her appearance in any way. Everyone you feature on this site dresses exactly in the same hipster/scenester way. It's not even original anymore. It's so tired at this point.
Posted by: lola | 2009-06-23 06:00:33