ELLE sat down with Faith as she readied herself to go on stage.
‘A lot of people who do what I do use hair and make-up artists but I really enjoy doing my own’, Faith tells ELLE, pinning her elaborate 'do in place. ‘I’ve had a lot of really amazing hair stylists do my hair, and I’ve picked up loads of tips.’
Faith’s glamorous image is as recognisable as her immense voice, which is at it’s most impressive later, when she sings her cover version of INXS’ 1988 hit Never Tear Us Apart to a crowd including Pixie Geldof and Nick Grimshaw. The song is currently the soundtrack to John Lewis’ sentimental Christmas advert and Faith’s live performance punctuated by brassy banter faultlessly demonstrates why big brands are so keen to be associated with her.
For tonight’s event she has teamed her favourite Steve Madden shoes - killer platform heels encrusted with mutlicoloured crystals –with a petrol blue dress by Suzannah. ‘I’m a massive shoe lover’ says Faith ‘I’ve got about 300 pairs.’
Of course, Faith’s look has not always been so refined. ‘I had so many different styles growing up, I tried every subculture imaginable.’ She swung from hippy to rude girl - ‘because I’m from Hackney and that was cool back then’ - before discovering her feminine side and now ‘staple icons, Marilyn Monroe and Marlene Dietreich.’
Firmly established in the UK with a tour kicking off in the new year, conquering America is in her sights ‘I love it over there’ she says. So are there plans to make a permanent move to the States? ‘I don't think so. It’s nice to visit but I’m a proper Londoner.’
Faith’s latest single Never Tear Us Apart will be included on a repackaged version of her album Fall to Grace, which will be released on the 22nd October.