My Stylish Life: Sophie Ellis-Bextor

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://www.mydaily.co.uk/2011/05/07/my-stylish-life-sophie-ellis-bextor/

Sophie Ellis-Bextor will be back on our summer playlists this year, with the release of her fourth album in June. MyDaily caught up with the singer at the launch of Evian's viral ad campaign to talk music, fashion and an unexpected style inspiration.

Your latest album is due to be released soon, what can we expect to hear this time?
It's my fourth record and it's been a long time coming, the last one came out about four years ago, so I'm very excited that people are finally going to hear it! It's a very dancey record, which I've always focused on with my solo work, but in the past I've diversified a little bit so I've done a bit of indie and a bit of pop, but this time it's definitely more dance. I worked with Metronomy, Freemasons and Calvin Harris; it's the most genre specific I've ever been.

What inspires you creatively?
Lyrically, it's the things that happen in my life, particularly with dance music. I think affairs of the heart work well as dance music has that immediacy to it. Sonically, my husband and I have been djing for a little while now and that has really influenced my sound. It's made me want to go down the dance route.

Who is your style icon?
It's a combined answer: I've recently worked out that my style influence comes from Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music and my Sindy doll. I had a Sindy when she had a big head, black eyeliner, red lips, dark hair, white skin with a little blush and a curvy figure. That, mixed with the tailoring of Julie Andrews when she made those dresses out of curtains, is an amalgamation of what I think I look like most of the time.

Do you have any favourite designers?
For a stage performance, I think D&G is great. Their designs have this wonderful silhouette with amazing sparkle and detailing, it's beautiful stuff. The dream of effortless chic is Chanel, but in reality, the high street is brilliant!

Is there a look that you love that can't pull off?
Trousers; trouser suits, jeans and heels. I think they look great on other people but they never suit me. I predominately wear dresses and skirts.

What's your most treasured item in your wardrobe?
I travel a lot so things get left behind, but I've never managed to shed tears over a piece of clothing. I tried once when a coat got taken but coundn't cry about it. I loved it but it was just a coat.

What has been your most extravagant purchase to date?
A dress that I bought seven years ago but I never wore it. It was an £1000 dress, but I never took the tags off, it just sat there. I think I was freaked out by how much it was but I just wanted to know what it felt like to own it.

Which is the most stylish city in the world?
Probably London, I love London. There are definitely places you go to to get inspired, Parisian chic or Italy and there's a real look in California, but London is so diverse and so eclectic.

What's your best piece of fashion advice?
I'd rather take risks and get it wrong than play it safe all the time. Sometimes people aren't bold enough; I don't feel defined by what I wore yesterday, it's just what I wore yesterday.