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‘When I Started In Music, It Was Designed To Pit Women Against Each Other': Kelly Rowland On Leveling Up Her Industry
'We have to be aware of how the patriarchy makes its way into our psyches,' says Kelly Rowland in her West London abode. 'When I started in the music industry, it was designed to pit women against each other.'
It's a sharp, clear-eyed reflection from an artist who has spent three decades learning how to resist the roles the world tries to write for her. With over 40 million solo and 60 million group records sold with Destiny's Child; 4 Grammys and multiple other awards, the Atlanta born musician is redefining what it means to be a woman in the industry. Joining the next series of The Voice UK later this year, Rowland is committed to paying it forward by coaching a whole new cohort of British musicians.
For ELLE UK and Fendi's Celebration Of Women In Music last night, Rowland looked every inch the icon in a deep chocolate, cinched waist skirt suit by Fendi.
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Ahead of the intimate dinner, she talked us through the look, as well as sharing her summer style staples and what it means to be 'forever fly'.
On her look for ELLE UK x Fendi celebration of women in music event...
'How do I feel in this look? Like a lady. I love the rich chocolate colour and the mix of textures. Fendi always play with texture, like with this silk on the skirt. I added a ring over the glove because I love touches of gold – the earrings too – they really pull the brown out. It's sexy and feminine, but with an edge. It's buttoned up, but the silhouette is so strong. To me, seeing a woman's silhouette is a kind of power. My glam team really helped pull it all together. Rio Sreedharan is so creative with hair, and my makeup artist tonight, Esther Edeme, has this way of making the skin look airbrushed. It's one of the things that drew me to her– we met in the DMs!'
On her summer of 'nautical dressing'...
'I'm leaning a little nautical this year. I love what Sofia Richie Grainge did with her Tommy Hilfiger capsule collection, these classic pieces and cute t-shirts. I'll be wearing a lot of button ups this summer, a lot of linens, because I can actually take those from beach to really chic. I do a lot of bell bottom jeans because I like the fact that you can get some air in them.'
On embracing vintage fashion…
'In my wardrobe I have an old pair of really messed up Dolce jeans, which came with matching boots. I can't fit into the jeans anymore, but the boots I still treasure. I have this really beautiful green Valentino kaftan, a Carolina Herrera blush dress and a vintage Versace bustier that I love. And, oh my God, this Alaïa bustier that made for me himself in his workshop. I also still have the dress from the Destiny's Child Independent Women video! I'm having so much fun vintage shopping at the moment. While I was shooting my upcoming film, Relationship Goals in Canada, I found this Toteme top that's almost see through. The fabric is so beautiful and light. I'm finding a lot of things that were really fly at the time, and making them circle back.'
…And stepping away from trends
'In my 20s I always followed trends, in my 30s I asked myself, who am I trying to keep up with? I wanted to wear pieces that are classic and timeless. I remember going through my closet going, 'this is too trendy, I hate this, I don't need this'. Remember f*cking low waisted jeans? It served its time, and now here I am, a mother of two, and I love high waisted jeans. I also want to responsible, I don't want to keep buying new. I love Margiela Tabis, they will always be fly. I recently found these white Phoebe Philo for Celine vintage kitten heels at the consignment store. Again I thought, these are fly, these will always be fly. It's forever, it's how you wear it.'
On her creativity and inspiration...
'I'm inspired by women every single day. Right now I'm reading Nikki Giovanni's Love Poems, and watching Forever on Netflix. Mara Brock Akil adapted the story from the Judy Blume book. It's about teenage love and it's so beautiful because it's done from the Black perspective. I watched an interview from Mara Brock Akil recently, she has two Black boys and she was talking about how she was inspired by her children. The whole series just blows your freaking mind. It gave me butterflies, it made me cry. I really saw myself in the mother and the young girl in love; all the characters just jump off the screen.'
On partnering with Birthfund, the Elaine Welteroth-founded organisation addressing the US maternal health crisis...
'With all the madness that's happening in the States right now, the last thing that's on anybody's mind is the safety of bringing a child into this world, especially as a woman, especially as a woman of colour. That often gets overlooked. I almost lost a girlfriend of mine a couple years ago because she was overlooked [by the healthcare system]. Birthfund provides grants for women so that they have the safest, most comfortable birth they possibly can, where they feel seen and heard. Elaine is full of love and greatness, and when she called me about this idea, I said, 'if this is on your heart, you're supposed to do it'. I'm really proud of her for trusting herself.'
On joining the Voice UK as a coach...
'There is something in the water over here! Everybody's voices have this beautiful grit. As a musician, I want to give back to all the artists that have given to me. The auditions really took me back to my beginnings. They have so much soul, honesty and authenticity. The stories from these contestants and the way they've evolved.. I can't wait for everyone to watch it.'
On her playlist this summer...
'Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Sade, Bob Marley. Repeat.'
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