THE BAG
“I love the bag! It’s so huge I could fit myself in it, but still it doesn’t have the look of a big bag.” says British rapper/singer/producer Estelle about the Belvie bag designed by shoe designer Jonathan Kelsey for Belvedere Vodka’s new flavor Black Raspberry. Now the new face, Estelle adds “I would match it with really slim gold bracelets, simple gold accessories and a single colored outfit so the bag can speak for itself”. The award-winning artist was already familiar with Jonathan Kelsey’s shoes when approached with the opportunity on the launch of The Belvie. “He’s such a nice person, so cool and calm and not at all up tight like other designers can be. It’s nice to work with people like that.”
THE PARTIES
The girl who goes straight from work to the nightclub, and then to work again in the morning, that’s who The Belvie Bag is designed for. A profile Estelle says she fits right into “A typical day I wake up, go to the venue, do the show, the after party and then get back on the bus and roll to a new city and do it all over again”. Even though she tries not to party too hard, Estelle loves to have a night out with her pals “I enjoy going out, I mean I’m in my twenties, what else is there to do? Sit home and watch TV?” And what’s a good night out for Estelle? “If I have a good group of people, I can have fun in the most random places.” Favorite drink is of course Belvedere vodka topped off with club soda. “That’s the only way to drink it.”
THE STYLE
Having rocked her short front combed shaved on one side hairstyle for six years now, there is no doubt Estelle is a trendsetter with a style that inspires. “A cross between Audrey Hepburn, Grace Jones and Edie Sedgwick ” is how she herself describes her style. “I love having the freedom to dress classic and simple one day like this (when we meet Estelle is wearing black skinny jeans, a black top, stud earrings, a chunky gold bracelet, vintage Dior shades and green Kelsey heels) and go crazy the next day. And heels, I love heels. The higher the better! I think it just makes you look and walk better.” Eventually, the huge interest in fashion will probably result in a line of her own.
Jonathan Kelsey (with bag) and Estelle
THE CITY
While Estelle technically has been living in New York City for two years, she hasn’t spent more than a month total in her home, which is a good thing because it means she is working. Yet, she still found the time to find her favorite spots in the city. Gold Bar, Eldridge, SOB’s and Santos are some of the places she’ll go for a party night with pals. Even though she misses the shopping in her hometown of London, a NYC shopping spree for Estelle would include INA vintage store on Prince Street, Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys and Intermix.
THE BEATS
Getting seriously tired of performing hit song American Boy Estelle is now working on her next album that releases in September. Although she has big shoes to fill after the success of her 2008 album Shine, she feels no stress about it. “God blessed me with two things: I don’t get star struck and I never feel pressure. I just do my thing and make music that makes people feel good, it’s really not that hard”.
As told to Hannah Arnhog
