Style Icon — Ellie Goulding

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My own introduction to Ellie Goulding came through Forever 21. I worked at the exciting (read: chaotic) store for nearly two years, and grew to love its soundtrack of Eighties music, obscure remixes, and trendy new artists. In 2011 Ellie Goulding was one such trendy new artist, and I fell so in love with her ethereal voice and intriguing folktronica that I didn’t mind hearing “Lights” basically every day. Three years later, Ellie Goulding is more than just still relevant – she’s at the top of her game. With a new pop album that caters to a more mainstream audience, she is topping the charts and being photographed everywhere. Yet despite the constant attention, no one seems to catch Ellie Goulding on an off day. Her style ranges from grunge to chic to sexy, and she owns it. Defending the sexy element, she once said, “My management would never force me to do anything, because they know I’m strong-minded. I’ve never been an artist to say ‘Okay, I’ll wear that’, or ‘I’ll wear less’. I just don’t want to not make the most of my body.” As a wearer of short skirts and dresses myself, I find it insulting that any reporter would think wearing them is more likely to be a business decision than a personal one. But Goulding handled it with grace. Here are some of her best looks:

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                                   At the Brit Awards (Elle)             (Daily Mail)

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                     In London (Daily Mail)      At BBC Radio 1 Studios (stealthelook.com.br)

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Rihanna for River Island sweatshirt, Coincidence and Chance shorts (Teen Vogue)                                                         In Verona, Italy. Christian Louboutin boots (Daily Mail)

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At BBC Radio 1 Studios. Avelon jeans (Daily Mail)       (elsiedelilah.com)

Video — “Hanging On” by Ellie Goulding

I have seen the music video for “Hanging On”, and it is amazing. But I still like to imagine my own storyline when I hear a song, even if it divulges from the artist’s concept and vision. The exercise of imagining a music video as I hear a song makes the song feel personal to me, which makes me form more of an attachment to it. This song in particular fascinates me. The drawn-out vocals, combined with an elusive meaning, are so eerie.

Song: “Hanging On”. Artist: Ellie Goulding. Album: Halcyon. Written by: Patrick James Grossi, Ariel Rechtshaid. Produced by: Billboard. Label: Polydor. Original by: Active Child. 

The lyric I can relate to most is “Tell me if you feel this pain, ’cause I don’t wanna be a ball and chain”. I was overjoyed to find a ball and chain novelty bag by Judith Leiber to include in the video. Below are more “ball and chain” style handbags.

Deux Lux  Vans    Dolls Kill 2

                 Deux Lux, $30                  Vans, $33                       Joyrich, $78

Gryson  Love Moschino     She + Lo

                Gryson, $162              Love Moschino, $175              She + Lo, $178

Gucci 2   Kenzo 2   3.1 Phillip Lim 2

                 Gucci, $190                      Kenzo, $280                   3.1 Phillip Lim, $615

3.1 Phillip Lim 2  Dolce & Gabbana     Rag and Bone 2

                3.1 Phillip Lim, $655         Dolce & Gabbana, $696   Rag & Bone, $720

Olympia Le-Tan  Dolce & Gabbana 2     Fleet Ilya

                  Olympia Le-Tan, $870    Dolce & Gabbana, $935      Fleet Ilya, $1,035

Paco Rabanne  Clara Kasavina    Chanel 8

                  Paco Rabanne, $1,390   Clara Kasavina, $1,585         Chanel, $4,875