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Joss Stone leapt back into the public spotlight this year with all the energy and charm that greeted her arrival on the music scene back in 2003.
A staunch Devonian – despite spending her early years in Dover, Kent – she carries with her a laid-back and effortless approach to fashion, just as she does to music, whether she’s decorated in one of her trademark floral maxi dresses or something a little more revealing.
The secret, it seems, for the 25-year-old, is to try her hardest at whatever she does.
“Like everything in life, it’s important to try,” she begins. “I care about what I wear, in the same way I care about my music, or my charity projects, but in everything the aim is always to make myself feel as if I’ve invested everything I can in it. And that doesn’t always come easily – sure, it is hard to change things, but to not try is worse.”
Never has that been truer than in relation to the singer’s current music project – a re-recording of ‘Take Good Care’, co-written by Sunday Times war photographer Paul Conroy, and performed with former Eurythmics star Dave Stewart. The collaboration was in support of the Amnesty International Campaign on the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty.
“This is a subject that has always been important to me,” Joss continues. “If I can add something to the campaign that makes people sit up and take note, then that’s good enough for me.”
And when you’re talking about someone who perfects the idea of looking good without appearing to have tried too hard, it’s clear the multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning performer can turn heads.
“Fashion changes quickly but there will always be constants. I love floral stuff, love dresses that glide you along – I think there will always be a style in that. And, after all, what we wear has always been the best way of reflecting our moods.”
That said, Stone admits that, whilst she’s a fan of floral maxi dresses, she’s also keen to push the boundaries in terms of fashion…
“Flowing fabrics and great colours are great, but for me there must always be an ambitious edge. That’s a different thing for different people, but usually with me it means being colourful and happy.
“And I always say you must use clothes as a therapeutic way of lifting your mood. Clothes can definitely make you feel a bit happier. If you feel sad, put on pink. I swear it works! And if you’re really in a hump, dye your whole head pink. That’ll make you giggle.
“But most of all, my message is to wear what you want and have a lovely time doing it. How can that not be right?”
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