Why 'Fearless' Hits Different in 2021

Summer Color Trends That Double as Mood Boosters

Pre-Order These Highly-Anticipated 2021 Books

24 Hours With Hailey Bieber

Editors handpick every product that we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page.

They've Got the Beat

Brash, bold, and totally badass: Meet pop music's next wave of chartbusters.

By Sergio Kletnoy

Jan 12, 2012

David Schulze

Brash, bold, and totally badass: Meet pop music's next wave of chartbusters.

David Schulze

Ellie Goulding

Age: 25. Real name: Elena Jane Goulding. Hometown: Hereford, England. Career highlight: Singing a cover of Elton John's "Your Song" at the wedding reception of Prince William and Kate Middleton, at Buckingham Palace. ("I didn't meet Pippa, but I hear she's awesome.") On her style: "I think about my figure a lot when it comes to fashion. I like being cute. I don't have the boobs to be a blonde bombshell, so I can be quite androgynous and just wear, like, a T-shirt with no bra. I have two sides of me — grungy meets Barbie." Best part about being a pop star: "It took a long time to get used to it, but all I want to do is tour. It's escapism because you're away from the real world and get to do your favorite thing every night." Must Download Now: Ellie Goulding, "Lights" Dress & briefs (worn underneath), price upon request, clutch, $1,880, Louis Vuitton; gloves, $60, LaCrasia Gloves; earrings, $544, Mawi; bracelet, $810, Dior.

David Schulze

Ellie Goulding

Dress & briefs (worn underneath), price upon request, clutch, $1,880, Louis Vuitton; gloves, $60, LaCrasia Gloves; earrings, $544, Mawi; bracelet, $810, Dior.

Richard Majchrzak/Studio D

And the Beat Goes On

Blazer, $34.95, H&M; hm.com for stores. Top, $245, Jonathan Simkhai at Barneys New York; (212)883-7604.

Richard Majchrzak/Studio D

And the Beat Goes On

Bustier $345, Jonathan Simkhai; jonathansimkhai.com.

Richard Majchrzak/Studio D

And the Beat Goes On

Skirt, $417, Jonathan Simkhai at Post 26; (310) 451-0950.

David Schulze

VV Brown

Age: 28 Real name: Vanessa Brown. Hometown: Northampton, England. How she got the name: "I love hip-hop. In school, on the playground, we would beat-box. V V became my emcee name." When she knew she wanted to be a star: "I was 8, and sang 'Consider Yourself' from Oliver! in a talent contest. My mom still has it on video." Most-prized possession: "An Aztec hat with two horns and Mexican beads. I found it in a vintage shop and paid around 800 pounds [$1,500] for it. I was told it belonged to Boy George. It's my little charm." Lesson learned: "I was ambitious when I was young. I was going to win a Grammy and sell a million records. But now it's more, Do I like what I've made? If I'm proud of it, then I'm happy." Must Download Now: V V Brown, "Children" Jacket, $1,880, Salvatore Ferragamo; top, $995, Calvin Klein Collection. On hair: Nexxus ProMend Split End Binding Straightening Lotion.

David Schulze

VV Brown

Jacket, price upon request, Alexander Wang; dress, $4,345, Blumarine; hat, $285, Ellen Christine Couture; gloves, $200, LaCrasia Gloves.

Richard Majchrzak/Studio D

And the Beat Goes On

Blazer, price upon request, Faith Connexion;net-a-porter.com. Shirt, $430, Araks; shop.araks.com.

Richard Majchrzak/Studio D

And the Beat Goes On

Necklaces, $148 & $78, Ann Taylor; anntaylor.com.

Courtesy of Designer

And the Beat Goes On

Shoes, $250, Charles David; charlesdavid.com.

David Schulze

Natalia Kills

Age: 25 Real name: Natalia Keery-Fisher. Hometown: Bradford, England. How she got the name: "Someone once asked me, 'How would you describe yourself?' I just thought, Kills — when you want to do something right, you kill it." On her dark style: "I wear black all the time like I'm in mourning. I think I dress to my music without even realizing it. I don't really follow fashion. If I see something that I like, I take it, wear it, and it's glorious." On-the-road essentials: "Lipstick and Oscar Wilde." Romancing a pop star: "My Chihuahua, Dracula, was a gift from a lover. I always have someone. I'm a serial dater. I haven't been single since I was 14. I just refuse." Must Download Now: Natalia Kills, "Kill My Boyfriend" Jacket, price upon request, shirt with tie (worn underneath top), $560, hat, $695, Moschino; top, $2,695, Calvin Klein Collection; pants, $395, Max Mara; ring, $165, CBD by Charlotte Bjorlin Delia.

David Schulze

Natalia Kills

Tuxedo blazer, $2,550, shoes, $1,350, clutch, price upon request, Gucci; embroidered jacket, price upon request, Balmain; white shirt, $560, Moschino; pants, $395, Emporio Armani; ring, $420, Links of London.

Richard Majchrzak/Studio D

And the Beat Goes On

Pouches $95 each, Misela; miselaistanbul.com.

Richard Majchrzak/Studio D

And the Beat Goes On

Top, $250, Sandro; (212)510-8390.

Richard Majchrzak/Studio D

And the Beat Goes On

Pants, $320, Maje; (212) 775-8330.

David Schulze

Kreayshawn

Age: 22 Real name: Natassia Gail Zolot. Hometown: San Francisco, California. How she got the name: "My name came from the word creation. I'm a creative person. It's what makes me who I am, not just the music I make." Breakout song: "Gucci Gucci" (more than 26 million hits on YouTube). On overnight success: "One minute I'm staying in my dingy little apartment, and the next minute I'm being flown to New York to take a huge meeting with the record label. It's definitely going to be an exciting story for my grandkids. I'm going to be like, 'Your grandma used to have a record deal! I used to be the finest thing!' And they're not going to give a shit. They'll be like, 'Grandma, your tattoos are wrinkly. You suck!'" Must Download Now: Kreayshawn, "Gucci Gucci" Jacket, $1,675, shirt, $1,390, pants, $990, Thakoon; earrings, $1,295, Jessica Winzelberg; necklace, $1,450, Dior; gold bracelet, $1,295, Gucci; crystal bracelet, $670, Mawi; nose ring & stud, Kreayshawn's own. On eyes: MAC Penultimate Eye Liner in Rapidblack.

David Schulze

Kreayshawn

Jacket, price upon request, Roberto Cavalli; bustier, price upon request, Dolce & Gabbana; pants, $398, Tommy Hilfiger; headpiece, $150, Jessica Wright Design; ring, $312, crystal bracelet, $670, Mawi; gold bracelet, $1,295, Gucci. Hair: Keith Carpenter at The Wall Group. Makeup: Devra Kinery for Christian Dior at Art Department. Manicure: Michina Koide for Nars at Art Department. Prop stylist: Daryl McGregor at The Wall Group.