flo fashion stylist : Rita Ora - Fashion icon or fashion disaster?

Rita Ora has been on everyone’s lips since her booming debut last year and has impressed us with her music and her fashion choices. I personally don’t like her music much but I must say the artist has caught my attention with the shocking wardrobe statements she has been making. She has a very eclectic dressing style, with street, tom-boyish influences and streaks of grunge and punk and it is clear she’s embracing a 1990's East 17 movement when it comes to her wardrobe. That means tie-waist flannel shirts, precariously placed beanie hats, sneakers and baggy layers. Mr. Kyle De’volle who is behind the image that we are all so familiar with is a Brit stylist and image consultant, who has been friends with Rita for the past seven years.

Rita and Kyle on a shoot

In an interview Kyle gave recently for a famous magazine he characterized her style as original, quirky and refreshing and admitted to drawing his inspiration from the classic Gwen Stefani style to which he added a mix of street.

Rita is definitely working a really interesting mix, bringing out a lot of street essentials - hoodies, trackies, beanies but turning them into something really glamorous. And somehow they all just seem to work in perfect harmony to give her the edgy- glam, street look. Could it be the fact that she still keeps strong feminine accents, like glamorous make up, hair and nails that gives her that finishing touch and helps her pull it all off? Perhaps..

Personally I feel some of her looks are taken to extreme. The fine line between quirky, original and complete fashion disaster is blurred and we are left with yet another fashion faux-pas. They weren't few the times when we all felt that Rita’s wardrobe choices made her look clownish or did not suit her body shape (OR SIZE!!!) or that the make-up that she was wearing made her look ten years older than she was. The following outfits are an explicit reason why Rita triggered so much attention from the Fashion Police.

This ensemble does nothing for petite Rita who looks like she has been swallowed by her leather trousers. The length and shape of the trousers are completely wrong for Rita s tiny figure. This look could have been saved by a pair of more fitted, skinny leather trousers which would have showed off Rita s toned legs and balanced her great figure. I love the heels J ….although the ankle strap is not a great choice if you want to create length.

One doesn't even know where to start to describe the image above. I’ll just call it the ‘how to look like a Christmas Tree’ outfit and I will let the image speak for itself.

OMG! Here Rita looks like she wanted to go skiing …but then changed her mind and grabbed her Birkin to go out for a walk. We all like to keep cozy and warm when the temperature outside drops…but those tracksuit bottoms are definitely not the way! A pair of jeans could have been a happier choice. This outfit makes Rita look at least 2 sizes bigger!

We could probably forgive Rita for her fashion sins if it wasn't for those ‘special occasions’: red carpet events, galas or dinner dates where Rita proves how classy and elegant she can be – all groomed and effortless chic.

Rita Ora looks fab out in New York Summer 2013 in a Versace gown. Her staple red lips have been finally teamed up with something as worthy as this dress. I love this ensemble, especially the red Leboutins but the hair is what actually does it for me. I think this sleek bob cut is the hairstyle that suits her the best! Don't wear you hair messy, Rita, ever again! ;)

Rita wore this casual Stella McCartney ensemble in 2012 for the British Fashion Awards which were held at the luxurious Savoy Hotel in London. She added a rainbow envelope for utter perfection. I love the way her bag matches the reflections of the crystal encrusted collar. (I can't help it - I love bling :)

Rita Ora sizzled at the Mobo awards last year, looking fierce in a white bodycon peplum dress from Mugler's autumn 2012 collection. The singer showed off her tiny waist in the sleek dress and accessorised with gold bangles and Dsquared2 gold strappy heels. On this occasion she ditched her usual red lipstick and went a few shades darker, surprising us all with this lovely mocha pout which she matched with her clutch bag. I love the way her lips stand out against the white dress. Well done, Rita!

Another event where Rita shone was her appearance at the London Fashion Week for the Burberry Porsum Show on Monday the 16^th of September. Rita wore a Vivienne Westwood two piece suit in grey teamed with a Queen Delavigne white T-shirt and a pair of white peep-toe wedges. Although her accessories were very 90’s street: chunky gold chain and watch – Rita’s obsession with watches is evident -the songstress looked stylish and grown up due to the classic cut of the suit. The clean, discreet make-up: light smoky eye and muted lips enhanced Rita’s great complexion and she looked young and fresh faced. The swept back bob hairstyle only came to complete the look. Rita looked effortlessly elegant – simply amazing!