What inspires the music you make?

Observations, emotions, crazy nights, DJing, poetry, aeroplanes.

When did you know that you wanted to go into music?

Ever since I can remember. My mum has a cassette of me singing when I was 2 years old, I started playing the piano aged 5 after quickly realising ballet was not for me.

How did growing up in the UK inspire you?

I grew up in Blackpool in the north and that’s a big part of who I am still, I think I have a very northern English down to earth sensibility. A lot of my favourite classic artists are British and I think its important when so much of pop music is from America to not feel pressured to conform to that sound and keep your own personality and background in there.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever played?

Coachella in 2010 – all our crew, equipment and costumes got stuck in the UK because of the volcanic ash cloud. Fortunately my band and I had come out a few days early but had to play possibly our biggest gig to date headlining our stage without any of it! Somehow it all came together and made it the best gig ever.

What have you been listening to recently?

I love Jessie Ware and can’t stop listening to her debut album. I was actually really surprised by the new James Blake album I didn’t think it would be my thing but it’s great. I’ve been listening to a lot of old classic disco like Chic which is making me even more excited for the return of Daft Punk. I’ve also had Maya Jane Coles‘ EP on repeat.

What is it about the new album that excites you?

That I know I haven’t made any creative compromises or done anything on it because I felt obliged to, it’s totally representative of me as an artist right now.

If you could collaborate with anyone who would it be?

I always think the best collaborations happen organically or are happy accidents so I never really like to say. Although actually I was thinking how amazing it would be to make a big dance pop record with someone like Stuart Price although I think the Pet Shop Boys have that one down.

How would you describe your style?

Totally intertwined with my music and what I’m listening to, the new record has a lot of old disco influences so I’ve been hunting down some classic studio 54 jumpsuits and big earrings for stage, I think its important to be a visually representation of your music especially when you’re performing. Off stage I like things that are classic but still with a glamorous or fun twist, nothing trying too hard or over the top more simple and stylish.

What are your touring must-haves?

Dry shampoo! My Terry di Havilland heels, they’re the only ones that fit right for gigs. Lots of moisturiser as my skin gets drained from all the flying and make up, I love Jurlique and Guinot. Bumble and Bumble hair products save my life. Oh and slippers, the best thing for making you feel at home when you’re miles away.

Watch the latest music video from Little Boots opening track, Motorway, and browse around here gif-funfilled, flashy website.

The current zeitgeist for amazing food is going nowhere! It’s no longer cool to order a measly salad and as far as us foodies at Topshop HQ are concerned going for dinner is the best girls’ night around right now. At the moment, it’s all about dribbling gourmet burgers, zingy Vietnamese pork buns and pizzas Naples would be proud of. Topshop gal Jourdun Dunn has a cookery show on Jay Z’s website, Karlie Kloss is making goodies for New York food mecca Momofuku and we’re seeing Instagram’s from every hip new London restaurant to open from luxe French bistro Balthazar to slurping ramen heaven Bone Daddies.

Cue our latest obsession with foodie personalities and one in particular, the lovely Gizzi Erskine. Gizzi is anything but a stereotypical chef. She dresses like someone working in fashion and her opinion of food is refreshingly non-haughty. Alongside all the precise French baking skills Gizzi has a real love for sticky ribs and hearty roasts that we just adore.

The bee-hived beauty started out as a punk and a piercer in Camden market before finding her real love – for food of course – and headed to Leiths School of Food and Wine to hone her craft. With a strong sense of her own style – she’s all figure hugging dresses and liquid eyeliner – Gizzi was the perfect fit for TV and has since graced our screens on the likes of Channel4’s Cook Yourself Thin before launching her latest book, Skinny Weeks and Weekend Feasts.

We spoke to the cats-eyed, chicken wing-loving foodie to talk tastebuds, eating out in London and what to cook for those who can’t.

 When did you know you wanted to be a chef? 

When I was 22, so quite late. I already had a career as a body-piercer but I knew that was coming to the end. I had always cooked and was obsessed with food, so when it came to retraining it was a given that I was going to go into it. I tested the water by doing a stint in a restaurant for 2 months before I fully committed to it, but within a day I was hooked

What’s your favourite dish to cook when you’re having a night in?

I’m very indecisive, and change my mind all the time. I do love a slow roast or braise, so maybe the Korean lamb shoulder from ‘Skinny Weeks And Weekend Feasts’. I like to listen to some rock and roll, with a glass of red wine whilst I marinade and slow roast some lamb.

Where are some of your favourite places to eat out in London?

Pitt Cue, Disco Bistro, Hawksmoor, The Drapers Arms, Meat Liquor or Mission and The Rotary are a few of my favourite spots for something quite low key and fun, but for something a bit special, I love Dinings, Sushi Tetsu or The Clove Club. I’m also a massive supporter of the underground restaurant movement and love a pop up or take over.

Tell us a bit about your new recipe book?

It’s a book of two halves. The first half is about being really good and eating a diet of low calorie but super tasty dishes, that can be made with easily accessible ingredients, and go from fridge to table in 30 minutes. But the second half is about having a day of eating really lovely indulgent food and enjoying the whole cooking and entertaining process a lot more. It’s a cool new diet plan. I lost about a stone following it last year.

What easy recipe would you recommend trying for those who dislike or struggle to cook?

I think the pork and chorizo meatballs are really fun and easy to make. They are so delicious and spiked with chili and fennel.

How would you encourage any youngsters wanting to get into the food world?

Train. Training is essential. You can go to catering school or learn on the job but be really committed and work really hard to be the best. Good restaurants will teach you this anyway.

You have such a strong style – what are you inspired by and how would you describe it?

I love the 60s but I also love punk. My style is an amalgamation of both of these things. As I get older I get more ’60s though. I love people like Anna Karina, the 60s model, who is effortlessly chic, but still had a bit of edge to her look.

What clothes shops do you love visiting in London?

William Vintage in Marylebone. Lucy in Disguise in Soho. Moschino in Conduit Street. And Selfridges.

If you had the day off to do whatever you wanted where would you find yourself?

Eating great food with my friends, family or fella. Going to an exhibition, then maybe a rock and roll gig and just having a laugh. Maybe some more sleep would be good too.

Pick up Gizzi’s book at a bookstore near you or snap it up at Amazon, here.

THE OMG-EVERYONE-AWESOME-IS-PLAYING ONE: FIELD DAY

25 May @ Victoria Park, London

Solange. Animal Collective. Daughter. Kurt Vile. Basically everyone achingly hip in music right now (bar Frank Ocean) is playing. Plus it’s a mere £50 and a short walk from Bethnal Green tube station. London hipsters unite for this might be the most exciting line up that has yet to grace Victoria Park. Make sure not to miss a good dance out to Egyptian Hip Hop and the cooler than cool, King Krule. As for style, watch out for some serious fashion lovers here with kimonos and wide brim hats galore and more high tops than you can shake a stick at. Also, there really is a beauty to a festival in which you can probably get the last tube home!

Get tickets for Field Day, here.

THE WOW-DAVID-BYRNE-IS-PLAYING ONE: END OF THE ROAD

30 August – 1 September
Larmer Tree Gardens, Dorset

We won’t lie to you but here at Topshop HQ most of our Monday morning blues are washed away by a few plays of Talking Heads’s Take Me To The River so we were naturally overcome with excitement when it was announced David Byrne himself would be playing this year’s End of the Road festival. Our obsession with this musical-champion aside, End of the Road festival is worth a look. It’s less about raving it up and more about chilling it out with some glorious bands on the roster. The lovely Belle and Sebastian take a headline spot alongside Sigur Ros and there’s a little bit of new in the form of California cool kids Warpaint who are back with a vengeance. Set in the lovely Larmer Tree Gardens of Dorset we’re thinking maxi skirts and embellished gilets will be the style must-haves for this set of festival goers and we’ve already looked into a camper van for our journey south!

Get tickets for End of the Road festival, here.

THE SOMETHING FOR ABSOLUTELY EVERYONE ONE: LATITUDE

18^th – 21^st July
Henham Park, Suffolk

Mad about German electro? Adore the ballet? Enjoy a bit of spoken word? Interested in cabaret? That’s right, you can rave it up with Kraftwerk, be mesmerized by the Ballet Boyz, hear Carol Ann Duffy get all poetic as well as rocking out to some naughty dance skills from Soho’s finest burlesque dancers all in one festival. (I know, our minds are blown too). Suffolk’s Henham Park is probably the most unique combination of artists in one spot, Latitude festival really covers all the bases. There’s glam camping for those who need a shower and something a little more substantial than a yoga mat to sleep on and there’s even a gourmet restaurant on site from the folks at Giant Robot. Oh, and did we mention there’s multi-coloured sheep?

Get tickets for Latitude here.

THE BIG ONE: GLASTONBURY

26^th – 30^th June
Worthy Farm, Pilton

Well, we couldn’t not mention it right? As usual their line-up is comprehensive to say the least. See into the early hours with Crystal Castles and Hurts, throw your hands up and sway into summer with Haim and Laura Mvula or get right into the front for a serious throwback with legends The Rolling Stones. Everyone says you have to do it once and with a relentlessly amazing line-up year after year there’s no way of regretting nabbing a ticket. Yes, walking from field to field may be a bit of a schlep and yes, there’s probably very little chance you’ll get a good view of the The Rolling Stones but it’s Glastonbury! And that means seriously good times.

THE FOODIE ONE: THE WILDERNESS FESTIVAL

8^th – 11^th August
Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire

Okay, so it’s not just food but Wilderness Festival has a special place in our hearts for it’s amazing roster of chefs and restaurateurs that offer talks and tasters dedicated to their lives in eating. Think Ottolenghi and his rose water specialities; Russel Norman waxing lyrical on the beauty of Polpo; Mark Hix on his fascination with oysters – our mouths are watering as we write – The Wilderness Festival has filled a gap in the festival market that we didn’t even know was there. It’s our festival wild card! Taste buds aside there’ll be blissed out tunes from Empire of the Sun and Martha Wainwright as well as performances from the talented bunch at Shakespeare’s Globe and talks from the mind-expanding folk at Intelligence Squared. Culturalistas, take a breath, this is the festival your dreams are made of.

Get tickets for The Wilderness Festival.

THE ONE THAT’S WORTH THE TREK: NO. 6 FESTIVAL

13^th – 15^th September
Portmerion, Wales

Yes we know, the dates brutally co-incide with London Fashion Week so there’s no chance we’re getting any time off work (weep!) but if we did we’d be signing up to this beautiful little festival in a flash. Set in the gorgeous surroundings of Portmerion in North Wales which it’s pretty much a fairy tale village come true. There’s even a castle to stay in for accommodation. (YES, a castle!) This is a festival for those of you wanting to completely escape the real world and head somewhere far away from anything “ordinary”. And with a musical and arts program that would make any festival-goer overjoyed, what’s not to love? There’s the haunting vocals of James Blake, the renaissance of Chic ft. Nile Rodgers (is that a Daft Punk Get Lucky inspired comeback we see?) and some of our favourite songstresses of the moment taking the stage… hello Laura Mvula and  Lianne La Havas! This one is definitely worth the journey.

Get tickets for No. 6 Festival, here.

Who better than Kate Bosworth – the style Queen of the chic Palm Spring’s festival Coachella – to star in our summer campaign film dedicated to the season of festivals? Kate brought her nonchalant and effortless style to our summer short filmed in California’s beautiful Mono Lake by director (and fiancée) Michael Polish.

Working her fashion magic, Kate worked with our in house design team on our Festival Edit which she wears so well in the film and are now set to be firm festival favourites with girls around the world for the summer ahead. (Don’t forget to check the full shoppable version of the film over on Topshop.com!)

We chatted with Kate to find out music influences, and her essential festival kit.

How was it working with your fiancée Michael?

I adore working with Michael. I am such a fan of his work, of his artistic process. His mind fascinates me and I learn from him daily. We live an incredibly harmonious artistic life. For this particular project, I worked with the Topshop design team on the festival pieces from concept to final product. Michael then creates the vision for the campaign based off the look and feel of the pieces.

What was it like filming in Mono Lake?

I had never experienced Mono Lake before. Shooting in Mono Lake was like traveling through time.  The entire place is desolate, serene, with large crystallized salt stalagmites jutting from the earth. We traveled in a little crew on a large bus over a three day shoot. It was a true American road trip, crossing huge expanses of land every day.

How did the collection with Topshop come about?

I have worn Topshop for years. The brand has their finger on the pulse of creating relevant fashion at an affordable price point. When the Topshop team and I worked together on the “Winter Wonderland” holiday project, it was an effortless fit all around. In the midst of that creative process, we all started to think about the next phase… How could we expand upon our collaborative relationship.

What inspired the collection?

The exterior expression is such an intuitive, emotional one. For the “Festival” collection, I channeled sunlight… freedom… joy… youth… rebellion. I’m attracted to a counterbalanced feminine / masculinity. To me, this is the most sexy. A faded cropped t-shirt with loose distressed boyfriend jeans, slung low and a plaid shirt tied round the waist. The choice of a suede material on the laser cut pieces was critical because it gave them a tougher edge, like the chaps on a girl in the Wild West.

Did you have any music references for the collection?  

Neko Case is a huge influence in my life. Her song, “Favorite” plays to our film for this collection. I love country music, the best and most heartfelt stories are born within these melodies.

What does festival mean to you?

Music, freedom, sunlight, energy.

Can you talk us through some of your favourite pieces?

The dove grey suede laser cut separates I wore to Coachella. This design also comes in a burnt orange & in a mini dress version. To me, these pieces represent a modern take on western design. The laser cut out is inspired by a piece of Victorian lace I found with the design team in Portobello market. This feminine touch matched with the rawness of suede is a nice, balanced representation of my aesthetic.

The cream shearling vest (also worn to Coachella). I wanted to push the idea of Bohemia with this piece. It feels quite special, as if found in a market someplace far away.

Perfect denim shorts! It’s no secret I love denim… They are a staple in my wardrobe. I wanted to create the perfect denim short. Something a bit tomboyish, but quite sexy. Again, playing with the idea of feminine masculinity.

Boyfriend plaid shirt – oversized, soft, a mix of earthy colors with a hint of turquoise on the back panel. A nod  to 90′s grunge. In fact, this shirt is very similar to one I wore back then.

What is Topshop for you?

The brand has their finger on the pulse of creating exciting, relevant fashion at an affordable price point.

What makes a festival for you?

This year, the highlight at Coachella was mad dancing with Michael to New Order.

What is in your essential festival kit?

Band aids, Chapstick, sunscreen, sunglasses..

What are your key wardrobe pieces at a festival?

Important to layer as most festivals are battling the elements!

What bands would play at your dream festival?

Dwight Yoakam, Neko case, The Cure, New Order, Other Lives

Kate at Coachella in April wearing pieces from our Festival Edit.

The electro-indie-pop heroes are planning to bring this disused funfair back to life with a line-up that had us booking tickets the minute they were released. This Saturday, The XX and their friends will be strutting their musical stuff for Berlin’s coolest kids. Set to take to the stage are Jessie Ware, Chromatics, Mount Kimbie, Kindness and Mykki Blanco who are we know will fill this out of this world space with a new lease of life.

Here’s what the band the whole of Topshop HQ is obsessed with had to say about their new musical endeavour: “Night + Day is a series of events, curated by us, to start in the summer of 2013. We searched high and low for unique and beautiful locations to stage these shows and picked the artists that we most respect and admire to join us. The events will run from early afternoon, with some of our favourite music and food to take you from day into night.”

With such an amazing aim, it’s no shock that a crowd of around 10 000 kids are expected at the Spreepark this weekend. Just imagine raving in-between a vintage Ferris wheel and some giant dinosaur statues! Sounds like the perfect festival right?

If you can’t make it, there’s no need to be sad! The XXs next stop is a country house in Hertfordshire.

‘Memories from the Future’, © Jean-François Lepage

As part of the International Fashion and Photography Festival 2013 for European creatives held in the fabulous French sea-side town of Hyères, Lepage’s retrospective exhibition perfectly entitled Memories from the Future showcases about thirty wonderful photographs full of bold colors and strong graphic elements that distort the beauty of the models in them and make your eyes pop!

Summed up as surrealism meets mystery, the French photographer uses extreme light and standout colors and as we stepped into the stoned arched room where this exhibition took place, we realised that the historical space built in the ‘20s perfectly complemented the motionless frozen atmosphere of Lepage’s work.

‘Memories from the Future’, © Jean-François Lepage

At Topshop, we are lovers of extreme fashion and adored his bare photographic composition. From motionless models in a moon like landscape to frozen doll-like faces with pale complexions and bright wigs, we’ve not been able to stop thinking about Lepage’s flawless looking creatures since we laid eyes on them.

Everything is done so carefully in order to create the impression that the subjects of Lepage’s images are both static and breathing and that’s precisely their beauty. You know that the model is posing but you soon forget that! You see, Lepage’s vision is far from glamorous, his style uncanny, almost eerie but it is this, his perception of beauty that makes his work so breathtaking.

If you’ve never come across the work of Lepage within the fashion world (working for brands like Nina Ricci, Comme des Garçons and Dior over a 20 year career), try and head to the Villa of Noailles in this pretty French town before his exhibition ends at the end of May.

‘Memories from the Future’, © Jean-François Lepage

There are some bands that hold a special place in our heart and for a few of us here at Topshop HQ, Cold War Kids do just that. The band became an iPod, iTunes and general stereo regular for us when – to the joys of many an indie kid – they launched their debut album Robbers and Cowards in 2007. NME declared them the best new band in America and the rest of the presses heralded their sound as something completely new (which is pretty special in these days of mass music and shared sounds via the ever growing music blogosphere). Our personal penchant for dancing around our bedrooms to Hang Me Up To Dry aside, we’ve been keeping track of Cold War Kids’ movements since their early days. It’s been a bit of a ride for the band – founding member Jonnie Russell left to pursue his own projects and their second album was met with mixed reviews – but we’ve got a feeling 2013 can surely be all about their second coming. The foursome are back with the new album Dear Miss Lonelyhearts and once again embracing their melodious, blues-inspired, indie rock with the same sensitive lyrics and gorgeous vocals from Nathan Willett. This time around there’s just a little more energy, it’s vibrant and varied with Miracle Miles keeping us dancing at our desks and Louder Than Ever sending us back to 2007 with big smiles.

We chatted to the face behind the bass Matt Maust about their latest album, favourite gigs and Nick Cave.

How does this new album differ from your earlier stuff?

Oh, it’s got a great mixture of songs that were kind of “built in the studio”, and then songs like we had on our first record that are very much 4 people playing live in a room, and then a few songs that are kind of a mixture of both.

Did anything specifically inspire this new album?

Nathan read a book called Dear Miss Lonelyhearts, but I haven’t read it yet. I know some of the lyrics were kind of inspired by the book. I think our new guitar player Dann, (who also produced the record) inspired us some. Gaining a new member always makes you rethink your band and style. He brought ideas to the table that were new and refreshing.

How does your creation process begin? 

Very organic. For lack of a better word, I think we sometimes “jam” and ideas come that way usually. It’s a healthy mixture of spontaneity, and zeroing in on things with a microscope.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever played? 

At La Cigale in Paris. We’ve played a few times there and it’s the best crowd and room that I’ve ever been to.

What have you been listening to recently?

The new Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Grinderman, Roxy Music, Can b-sides and rarities and Richard Swift. Also this band We Barbarians.

What artist most excites you?

Dieter Roth for visuals, Nick Cave for music, Michael Winterbottom for film, and Wim Wenders for everything.

If you could collaborate with anyone who would it be?

Wim Wenders or PT Anderson.

Watch the video for their latest track Miracle Mile, below and catch them on tour here.

As the temperature creeps up us Topshop girls go on the hunt for for juicy, un-put-downable books to pore over and be swept away with whilst basking in the sun in our newest bikini. There’s a few that have peaked our interest this year – the much debated Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, the teenie-loving Hunger Games series– but it’s a very different sort of novel that has had us voraciously turning the pages this spring. Enter Laura Lamont: the country-bumpkin turned glamorous silent film star whose life unfolds amidst fame, fortune and the inevitable upsets on the way. It’s definitely not a fairy tale but it isn’t exactly tragedy either. (Our favourite character Ginger is as about as cheeky and goofy as they come!)

Emma Straub is the creator and pen behind Lamont and has proved herself a dab hand at spot-on, richly detailed storytelling. Carefully spanning decades of Lamont’s life, Straub muses on the complexities of fame through the eyes of someone who doesn’t feel quite worthy. There may be plenty of Fitzgerald style decadent misery here and a hint of quirky The Artist style fun but the novel and story still feels new. Whether you’re a fan of the Golden Age of Film or of really great new writing, we’re guessing you won’t regret picking up a copy.

We spoke to the Brooklyn based author, Emma Straub, about research, her favourite characters and not giving up on writing.

Where did you get the inspiration for Laura Lamont?

Not to sound too terribly morbid, but in the obituaries! I was working on something else at the time, and stumbled across an obit for the 1940s actress Jennifer Jones. It was a novel–it was that clear to me immediately. Dramatic, romantic, epic. I knew I wanted to write a book about a movie star starting right then.

Have you always been interested in Hollywood and it’s golden age?

I have always loved the movies, and was never prejudiced against black and white films in the way some children are. My parents and I once had a Hitchcock festival in our living room. So, yes! But I didn’t really know much about the studio system until I began to write Laura Lamont.

Where did you go to research and what resources did you use?

Why, to Hollywood, of course! I took a few short trips to Los Angeles and went on some studio tours, taking notes furiously, and then my husband and I did a a house-swap (itself a very cinematic idea!) for a whole month. That’s when I did the bulk of my research at the Margaret Herrick Library, which is run by the Academy of Motion Pictures, the body that gives out the Oscars.

Do you ever use real life people as inspiration for characters?

Yes, sometimes, when I truly couldn’t help myself. I was very careful not to read about Jennifer Jones in my research, because I didn’t want my main character to be modelled on a real person, but some of the ancillary characters are, absolutely. It was irresistible! Hollywood was full of very colorful people at the time.

We have a soft spot for the comedy actress Ginger in the book – do you have a favourite character in the book and why?

Oh, I have a soft spot for Ginger, too. Thank you for saying that. I’m also very partial to Irving. What can I say? I’m a bit smooshy about real love.

How long did the book take from start to finish?

I’m pretty quick, once I get rolling–it was about two years from idea to publication. Fast!

What tips would you give to young wannabe-writers?

Don’t give up. I wrote four novels that didn’t get published before this one. Don’t ever give up.

What’s next for Emma Straub?

Two things are happening in quick succession–I’m trying to finish my new novel before this summer, because I’m due to have a baby in August. So, sleepless nights?

The Life of Laura Lamont is out in paperback now.

If you’re anything like us Topshop girls we spend months of the year yearning for the next season to come around so we can finally buy the pieces we drooled over on all the catwalks. Well we have a treat for you directly from our designer line, Topshop Unique. This week we’re introducing our very first Unique Pre-Fall collection, perfectly timed for those shopping cravings that come inbetween the seasons! This is a grown up girl’s best friend – a slick 21-piece line that we’ve been poring over all day long. From leather panel trousers and silk panel t-shirts to cocktail organza dresses in lemon and vivid pink, this is a collection you won’t forget in a rush.

We spoke with one of the designer’s Holly Wright to talk inspirations, nightwear and the Unique girl.

What were the initial inspirations behind the pre-fall collection?

The collection was designed to be a timeless modern approach to evening wear. Designed within the same aesthetic as the Unique runway collections, it was crucial to stay true to the Unique Girl and explore how she would approach evening wear.

Did you do any specific inspiration or research for the line?

Having explored the ‘Unique Girl’ through the previous and current collections it made sense to pick up where we left off and expand into the Spring Summer design direction, complementing the runway collection with a more extensive move towards night time.

Can you talk us through the process from inspiration to final collection?

Playing on the sheer and opaque details of the main line SS collection, I was keen for the collection to be a tight mix of interchangeable items that would be modern and classic at the same time so that people can invest in pieces that we’re going to be able to be worn for many years to come without the fear of them looking dated. With this in mind I began looking at silhouettes and colour as the foundation to the collection and built up each piece from there.

What’s your favourite piece and what will you be buying?

I love the yellow embroidered dress and the black coat!

How would you wear the collection?

I think the collection is flexible and adaptable to being worn both day and night, there are pieces that you could dress down and stand out pieces that offer modern, chic alternative to your more traditional evening wear. All the pieces within the collection complement one another so its easy to pull pieces together into outfits. The clean, modern aesthetic of the garments means they’ll be an easy addition to any wardrobe.

Shop the collection or browse the feature, here.

When we were 15 we were having sleepovers, revising for exams, and eating a lot of junk food. Hayley Williams on the other hand was putting together a band and writing the music we’d be throwing our hands in the air to in just a few short years. Doesn’t it make you just the tiniest bit jealous?

Green eyes aside, the band Paramore have been somewhat of a phenomenon, speaking to teens, pop-lovers, alt-fans and wannabe-punks across the world since they exploded onto the scene with All We Know is Falling in 2004. They were the answer to many a youth’s yearning for something more than the bubble-gum, manufactured pop of the early noughties. For us, in leadsinger Hayley Williams, we found an alternative style icon we didn’t know we even needed.

From her metallic orange hair to fitted t-shirts and Dr Martens, us Topshop girls have a serious soft spot for Hayley Williams’ under-done punk-inspired look. (Did we mention she’s wearing a much-loved Dweeb t-shirt from Topshop in her video for Still Into You?) This lady’s locks alone have influenced millions of fluorescent tresses and even inspired a standout copper and coral make-up range for MAC.

Style aside, Hayley and the boys have championed their own brand of emo-pop perfectly. After three albums, a very public band shake-up and all still in their early 20s, Paramore are back with a record Hayley describes as, “needing to find whatever’s next.” Undoubtedly the pressure is on for their first foray as a threesome but we’re equally not surprised to find the album an all around good ‘un. Most surprisingly is how much brighter it is; brimming with energy, high-octane melodies and  a lot less of that teenage angst and a little more sweetness than what’s come before. Fear not, it’s a far cry from the saccharine teeny-boppers out there but some of our favourite moments have come from Hayley’s new opportunities to flex her vocal cords – an emotional Hate to See Your Heart Break and a very soulful Ain’t It Fun - are our top tracks to hear Hayley rock the mic.

We spoke to the  busiest women in the music biz — as she tours across the states – to get the low down on writing a new album in a very new way, what she’s listening to and being a t-shirt and jeans girl.

How did the band’s new make-up alter the album making experience?

Everything with us works differently now. The writing process was the most insane head trip. Taylor stepped up into a primary writing role and I’ve been wondering why we ever waited so long to start writing songs together. He is a mad scientist when it comes to composing music and experimenting with sounds. It was all very new and it made the writing and recording process the most fun we’ve ever had creating for Paramore.

Was there an element of catharsis in the album’s creation or a central inspiration behind the album as a whole?

I guess the main idea behind the whole thing is getting up in the morning and just putting one foot in front of the other. Growing up. Rising above your own past and people’s limited expectations of you.

Did living in LA rather than Tennessee influence your music?

Yeah, I feel like it totally did. For one, it’s constantly sunny there. Almost to the point of it being obnoxious! Haha. The vibe went along with most of the songs we were writing. On top of that, it was good to get away from familiar places and comforts and all that.

We’re big fans of your style here – do you work with a stylist to perfect it?

If we’re doing a video or a big performance, our friend Elizabeth Barrois styles us. Well, except for Taylor. He’s adopted the Johnny Cash uniform. All black everything. For the most part though I really just like to dress myself. I know I’m not great at it… I don’t even know anything about fashion but I think that’s why I can enjoy it.

What are some of your favourite designers or brands to wear?

J Brand, Rag and Bone, Tripp, Topshop, Jeremy Scott. Nothing too fancy. Well, some Miu Miu too. Really though, I’m a t-shirt and jeans girl at heart.

Do you have any style icons or women in music whose aesthetic you appreciate?

Siouxsie Sioux, Cyndi Lauper, Gwen in the ’90s, Missy Elliot in the ’90s —remember the trash bag?—, oh and Scary Spice.

What music are you currently listening to?

A little of everything… Purity Ring, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Iceage, my guy’s band (New Found Glory’s Chad Gilbert)  What’s Eating Gilbert, the new Tegan and Sara album.

What are your touring must-haves?

I like the bus to feel like home. Candles, aromatherapy oils, herbal teas… And then of course my computer and other technical crap, which is why the world needs candles and aromatherapy in the first place.

Do you have any shows you’re particularly excited about playing?

We’re playing my favorite ballroom theater type venue in NYC next month. The Hammerstein Ballroom. It’s completely gorgeous. The contrast between the whole place and our music and our fans and all the sweat is perfect to me.

If you could collaborate with any artist who would it be?

I never can decide who’d be the most interesting or the most fun. I’m also not great at co-writes. It makes me nervous. Writing lyrics and all that feels so personal. How do people sit down in the same room and do that with strangers? Maybe I’ll find out someday…

Watch the latest music video from Paramore, Still Into You, and get Hayley’s  Topshop t-shirt here.