It's sort of funny that the words "personal" and "style" get banded around so much these days, when what that actually factually means is becoming more and more nebulous. Are the jaunty haircuts and S&M-goes-to-Hollywood outfits some indicator of Rihanna's fashion savvy? Or is someone in her glam squad referencing discarded Kelis promo on the low? Definitely confusing stuff, which makes us wonder if Grace Jones could maybe make some sense of it all.


Ebony Bones on the other hand definitely doesn't need a stylist. We bumped into her last weekend at McCarren Pool looking perfectly relaxed in a gorgeous post-performance number she picked out herself. Ebony almost single-handedly orchestrates the look of her entire band, designing costumes and then distributing her accessories amongst both boys and girls as a stylistic finishing touch. She quite modestly puts the whole no-stylist policy down to economics, or "saving a few pennies" as she puts it, when really the truth is a stylist could hardly top what she already does all by herself. What's even more special about it all, is that her fans become part of the process too. As she explains, a lot of fashion students are inspired by her music and style and end up designing one-of-a-kinds just for her. That red dress for example, came courtesy of a fashion grad from Kingston University in London—the shoes some architectural pieces she picked up in Japan. Those signature spongy chain necklaces she often wears are all bits and bobs she makes herself too. They've started being knocked off here and there, but Ebony doesn't seemed too fussed—at the end of the day I'm pretty sure she knows nobody can replicate her look quite the way she can.