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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.