Us Weekly (Sept. 17th 2001)

Gwen Stefani: Fashion beyond rock

Musicians are cut a lot of slack when it comes to fashion - outrageous (and often X-rated) style is part of their hard-living image. While No Doubt’s Gwen Stefani is sure to elicit stares on the red carpet, it is more likely to be for her funky, fresh and innovative looks than for exposed body parts or unruly behavior. "Being in a band, you can wear whatever you want - it's like an excuse for Halloween every day," she says. "But I don't take clothes too seriously, they're just a part of my job that's really fun." Whether she's wearing a bikini cum tuxedo, customized Fruit of the Looms or a one-of-a-kind John Galliano gown, she is redefining rockstar cool and setting trends along the way. (Teen-pop singer Mandy Moore calls Stefani her "style idol.") Stefani's eclectic taste developed at an early age. While growing up in California, she sewed her own clothes and continued to do so until recently (she even made the dress she wore to the 1997 Grammys). Now, with her group's fifth album, Rock Steady, on the way, and her chart-topping collaborations with both Eve and Moby keeping her busy, she has called in the help of stylist Jessica Poster, and together they have pulled off some of the year's most creative outfits. "Gwen is a designer-slash-stylist at heart," says Paster. "She's a maverick, a daredevil, and best of all, she enjoys clothing." How does Stefani define her fashion philosophy? "I just wake up in the morning and try to wear something that puts me in a good mood."

Retro from Queen

Behind the look: Stefani wore a custom-made John Galliam for Christian Dior lace dress to the Grammy Awards. "I wanted to look like I was going to the prom in the '50s. I told him what I wanted, and the next thing I knew I received this hand-drawn image of me wearing this gown in the mail - I couldn't believe it," she says. The next thing he sent was the day of the show; he sent the gown over, and all these people came along with it to help me get ready. It was a Cinderella moment." She accessorized with a Christian Dior bag and fishnet stockings and wore rhinestoned silver stilettos.

Glam girl: "I usually give Gwen a red mouth and simple eyes, because she's really into old-movie-- star glamour," says her makeup artist Mathu Andersen.

Hair story: "Gwen's hair responds best to classic looks made with hot rollers or a curling iron," says her hairstylist Danilo.

Black-Tie Sexy

Behind the look: Poster convinced Stefani that this Jean Paul Gaultier tuxedo with a cutout back was the way to go for the BET Awards. "I had never worn a suit before, and I'm into men's clothing, but it seemed too mature," says Stefani. "But when I realized I could bring a cane, I decided to do it." To wear under the jacket, Poster made a bikini out of a white cotton tuxedo shirt and a bow tie. She split the seams up the trousers to reveal a little leg and Stefani's red patent-leather pumps from Frederick's of Hollywood. "I felt hot as hell," Stefani says.

Au naturel: Stefani went for a simple, basic face. "People perceive Gwen as being extremely made-up, and I don't think that she's comfortable with that all of the time," says Andersen. "She's wearing less makeup these days - she's getting back to her roots."

Dressed-up do: "I pulled Gwen's hair in a ponytail and smoothed it with conditioner for a slick look," says Danilo. "Then I attached the Quick fall hairpiece from Celebrity Signature's Raquel Welch line at about her ear line and covered it up with a Swarovski-- crystal headband made by Paster. She was wearing a tux; we wanted it to look fancy."

Urban Tomboy

Behind the look: "It's something I'd wear every day," says Stefani, who worked with Paster on this outfit for the Teen Choice Awards. She wore a striped top by Kom Bread with vintage Levi's and accessorized with a truck-driver hat, a nameplate belt by Noir, ROCK STEADY knuckle rings by White Trash Charms, an exposed, bejeweled bra and Fruit of the Loom men's briefs. "They’re comfortable, but to wear under pants, I have them cut into a G-string."

Up shtick: "We went for a gang-girl look with dark lip liner and lighter lips," says Andersen. "I used M-A-C's Coffee brown eyeliner to outline the lips and then used M-A-C's Oh Baby, gloss for shine. I gave her really defined eyebrows and put black liner and mascara on her eyes."

Hair apparent: "I waved her hair with a curling iron, spiraling her locks for a youthful effect," says Danilo. "I sprayed John Frieda Shine on the ends for added glitz."

Surfer Chick

Behind the look: Stefani wore a bikini top made by Paster with a T-shirt pulled over her neck like a shrug to perform at the Teen Choice Awards. "I love the surfer thing. All the boys wear their shirts like that and I always thought it was cute -- so I wanted to do it, too," Stefani says. Her vintage Levi's were customized by Andersen, who painted ROCK STEADY on one leg to promote her upcoming album. "The stylist had some paint, so I drew it on her jeans while she was getting her hair done," he says. She wore Marc Jacobs sneaker-heels and a star-printed cotton belt.

Gone platinum: "Gwen wanted a surfer Barbie-- doll look," says Danilo. "I put in temporary extensions, colored the hair with Goldwell's Ten P platinum rinse and added some low-- lights with Goldwell's Pure P. The colors play with the lighting onstage to give it depth and make it look like a ton of hair."

SoCal Cool

Behind the look: "I didn't know I was going to the Madonna concert until the night before, so my outfit wasn't planned out at all. I had about half an hour to get ready for it. But because it wasn't my concert, I didn't dress to impress anyone - I was just going out to see a show," she says. "I bought the red REAL bikini in London. I thought it was hilarious, being the natural girl that I am." Stefani wore the bathing-suit top over a cotton tank. "If you just wear a bikini by itself when you are going out, it is too revealing, and I really wanted to wear that top, so I just wore a shirt under it. I like the idea of layering; I think it looks pretty cool. A lot of people were talking about this outfit - I love that."

Self-made: "Gwen did her own hair," says Danilo. "Until about two years ago, Gwen did all of her own styling, hair and makeup, which is something that most stars are able to do. But this industry gets so overwhelming that they don't have the time to be artistic. She needs to be honored for her contribution."