Kate Nash in a British music phenomenon and has worked with some of the UK’s finest fashion talent. During a recent event which took place on 27th of July at the swank Swarovski Crystallized outlet at Great Marlborough Street, London, the award winning British singer and songwriter talked about how she got into the music industry. She also talked about the effects fashion has on the music industry and in her own music and image, her opinions on being a role model and how this effects her wardrobe decisions.

After a welcome-reception during which industry representatives had opportunity to meet, the discussion with Kate was conducted by fashion stylist and editor Rebekah Roy. During the talk, Kate explained how being part of the independent music scene has helped her to develop her own unique style of fashion, which doesn’t always follow current trends. Clearly, Kate loves vintage and is particularly inspired by 1950’s glamour, but equally loves the fun and colourful 60’s. She loved music from an early age but admits that she has a terrible memory for names. The guests also had opportunity to throw some questions. So when I asked her about idols that had a profound influence on her fashion sense and musical attitude, Kate revealed that foremost she adores Joan Jett (of The Runaways and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts) for her wild n tough rock chick image on the one hand, while on the other she can also look real cute. Another of Kate’s musical heroines is the late UK punk icon Poly Styrene, who passed away in April.

However, Kate also expressed her concerns regarding women in the music biz in general and particularly that they are still ‘sexualised’ but often give out that image themselves (I’m keeping my mouth gag’ed..) She clearly despises the ‘groupie attitude’ and feels that aspiring songstresses etc shouldn’t have to prove themselves by sleeping around but believe in their own talent and above all, confidence. The media is a lot to blame for it too, Kate suggested, because in a world in which everyone is put under constant pressure to be perfect and look perfect, values that matter – not to mention talent – often come secondary. “It makes me so angry”, said Kate, “because magazines and the general media send out the wrong signals to all these girls out there. I remember how once a magazine scrutinized me by pointing out a spot I had in one of the photos they had published. Now that’s just completely ridiculous! We all have flaws, none of us are perfect – it’s human to be imperfect! So if a young and not so confident girl who might have real talent for music reads articles like that, she might feel she’s not good enough to enter ‘showbiz’ if she has spots on her face, too!”

Let’s hope the next generation of female artists are as nice and down-to-earth as Kate Nash.