Before she went solo, Kelly Rowland spent her career dressed in blingy, costumes designed to keep you entertained — shimmery, mermaid-like dresses with flesh revealing cut-outs or ripped, GI Jane-style army fatigues with camouflage Daisy Dukes or sexy versions of Cub Scout uniforms with tight, midriff baring tops.
“I’ve never been afraid to take any risks,” she admits over the phone from London, where she’s promoting her new album, Here I Am, and preparing to join the UK?X-Factor judging panel.
“My personal style has grown in a way where I know what works for me. You have to try different things out to get it right,” she says of her evolution from her days as one-third of Destiny’s Child.
“Before, I was about what’s ‘in’ right now. But now, I buy to collect pieces that will be with me forever.”
If the Texan’s old wardrobe was all about constantly changing kinds of splash, its new incarnation is much more refined and focused, thanks to her habit of reading Style.com each night (“it relaxes me”) and attending runway shows during the ready-to-wear collections.
She talks about the trends with the confidence of a seasoned market editor: “I love how everything is about opulence and decadence right now. I love how that has come back.
“And it’s great to see the bold colors that we saw for spring and summer carrying over into fall,” she adds.
Rowland’s been wearing Stella McCartney and Chloé the most, lately, and has a long-time obsession with Alexander McQueen — all brands with English creative directors. Perhaps, Britain is rubbing off on her?
“I love the UK period. But I’ve grown to appreciate the art and creativity of British fashion.”
