At 20, Leanne Harte might be a young singer, but don’t lump her in with Britney Spears or Jessica Simpson. She’s more likely to cite Led Zeppelin, Neil Young or Joni Mitchell as influences.
The singer-songwriter and guitarist doesn’t care whether her bag is Gucci or her dress is Prada. So long as her clothes feel good, are comfortable and don’t make her feel self-conscious, then she’s happy.
“I really don’t think it would be a good idea for people to get fashion advice from me,” she laughs. “I don’t really know what I look like usually, I probably look terrible and wouldn’t know it. I usually ask my friends for fashion advice.”
That said, Leanne’s stage outfits tend toward the girly end of the fashion spectrum, with frilly skirts, make-up and a black top made by a friend. Her offstage outfits consist of jeans or cords, runners and concert t-shirts.
“I literally buy a t-shirt every time I see a band I love,” she admits. “I’ve got Pearl Jam, Robert Plant, Martha Wainwright and a few Tori Amos ones, because I’m a huge fan of hers. I also have quite a few Led Zeppelin t-shirts, which I love.”
Don’t expect to hear Leanne banging on about her favourite lipstick any time in the near future – the only colouring she worries about is the six-day Umbertones hair dye she's been using lately.
Clothes-wise she is prone to wearing dark purple, red (like her hair at the moment) and black tones, simply because they suit her.
“From a young age I was always kinda the tomboy,” Leanne admits, “so I wasn’t really interested in dolls or fashion or anything like that. Then when I was a teenager, music kinda took priority over everything, so I never really took the time to think about what I was wearing. While all the other girls were doing their hair and make-up, I was in Tower buying CDs and reading music magazines.”
But Leanne does of course shop for clothes, and like any bargain-hunter she adores Pennys. She's also drawn to the allure of H&M and Urban Outfitters.
“I have a necklace my friend Ruth made for me for Christmas,” she adds. “There’s also a top my friend Lisa made for me. I wouldn’t part with either of them. They mean so much to me because my friends put work into them. It kinda makes it more personal.”
Any fashion disasters she’d rather forget about?
“Some terrible jumpers, which I do regret. But now I feel I’m getting much more aware of what suits me and what doesn’t, so I guess that’s a good thing. I won’t wear leopardskin just because I don’t like it on me. I love wearing boots, but I steer clear of heels because I’d fall, and I’m way too tall as it is. I avoid what my mother would call 'grace of God dresses', those strapless ones – I don’t think I’d be able to pull those off! I generally don’t like it when people cross a certain line and look tacky, both clothes and make-up wise. I think there’s a happy medium – looking nice and putting some effort in, but not caking on the make-up or wearing practically nothing.”
How does Leanne see her style evolving?
“I think it’d be just to have more control and be more confident in my own opinions. I’d like to be able to mess with my hair a little, try new styles, and clothing wise I think I’d just like to be a little dressier, but still comfortable. Wear more skirts and dresses rather than just jeans all the time.”