With her outrageously bright flame-red hair, voluptuous figure and cheeky smile, Cherri V is one lady you can’t help but remember. “I didn’t actually tell anyone I was dyeing my hair. I just sent a picture to my label and said, ‘Look what I’ve done.’ They thought it was Photoshopped,” she giggles when asked about her eye-catching tresses. Yet the songstress is more than just a mane of vibrant hair; she is a singer destined to make her mark on the UK music scene, having already collaborated with Gnarls Barkley and toured with Ms Dynamite – and she is the niece of Mica Paris. She’s also a big champion of the high street and highlighting her womanly shape. “It’s nice to see women proud to show off their curves in the industry,” she says, and that’s just what Cherri V plans on doing. You go, girl!
Describe your style.
My style is quite sexy and form-fitting, with a little edge.
Where do you shop?
I don’t think there is a designer I can’t live without. However, I do love the high street and am a huge fan of H&M and TopShop. Saying that, for my video for “The Show” I wore a big ra-ra ballet skirt by an amazing designer called Zuhair Murad. I really liked his stuff.
What has been your most extravagant buy?
Three months ago I bought my MacBook Pro, and it was bucks! I remember when I bought it, I was stroking it for a while and thinking, “It’s my little baby.” I’d wanted one for ages.
What is your hair regime?
I dyed my hair back in June, and it’s a look I’d wanted to try for a long time. As my name suggests, I always wore my hair a darker shade of red, but I just wanted to go crazy after the release of my new single. I wanted something that said, “I’ve arrived, I’m here and my name is Cherri.” I have natural hair and because I have dyed it, I have to treat it every two weeks with Dr Miracle. It is a lot of work to look after, and sometimes I put some extensions in the back. I think the next look I might try is an Afro vibe, but I’m slightly scared as I don’t want to look like Ronald McDonald!
Any fashion tips?
A lot of people want to wear what is cool, but I think it’s important to dress for comfort and your size, since that’s the only way to look and feel your best.
What inspires your look?
I am a person who likes to embrace her curves, and a lot of people I look up to also embrace this. I am a huge fan of Marilyn Monroe – I think she was flawless. Beyoncé is a curvy woman, too, and is not afraid to dress to accentuate her shape. I also love Gwen Stefani, because she is so free with her fashion.
What is your shopping weakness?
I have a thing for accessories. I buy loads of jewellery, but there are only a few key pieces that I actually wear. In my jewellery box I have chains, bracelets, studs and earrings in funky colours, golds and silvers – I love the options. A lot are from H&M; Warehouse has some cool statement rings; and for my last shoot I received a bag of goodies from TopShop.
Follow Cherri V on Twitter @CherriV
