Mirror Mirror: Shingai Shoniwa

Noisettes frontwoman Shingai Shoniwa is a musical force to be reckoned with, her rock n roll spirit and experimental personal style is hard to ignore. From the festival circuit to the most fashionable of FROWs Shingai has been making a name for herself, and her band, since their first EP Three Moods of the Noisettes was released in 2005.

shingai shoniwa interview

When I look in the mirror I see... a smiling happy person who is grateful to be here another day and living a dream. I see lots of potential and chances to explore.

If I was stranded on a desert island with one dress it would be... the white Laura Ashley dress I’m wearing right now. It’s from the late Seventies and my mum had a printed one when I was a little girl and I managed to find this white one which I love. It’s so comfy and suits me so well, its definitely the dress I’d pack for a desert island.

When I was at school I wanted to be... a lawyer when I was growing up. I wanted to fix things for people and bring justice to the world. I was such an optimistic child - I wanted to make the world a better place. I refused to eat meat and everyone used to say, ‘What’s this? An African who doesn’t eat meat!’

My biggest style triumph was... I can’t pick one because my red carpet and on-stage outfits just keep getting better. I love having fun and playing around with a look. The best outfits are the ones where a posh designer piece is mixed up, accessorised and personalised. One of my favourite looks is a dress that my friend and I designed for my tour – it’s black and gold and came out just the way I wanted it to.

If I could be any character from film or literature I'd be... a warrior princess. All the traditional fairytales don’t often feature princesses from far-away lands. I would want to be a brave, fearless and just amazing warrior who conquers adversity while having fun – she’d also be stunning with great outfits.

Noisettes are the official performers for Disaronno at the BAFTA Film Awards After-Party. Updates here: www.facebook.com/Disaronno

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Temperley London - Mayfair Flagship Store Launch
Alice Temperley (L) and Shingai Shoniwa attend the launch of Temperley London's Mayfair flagship store on December 6, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images)
The Noisettes' Single Launch
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 15: (EXCLUSIVE CONTENT) Shingai Shoniwa launches her new single in Raffles Club called 'That Girl'' on August 15, 2012 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
The Noisettes' Single Launch
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 15: (EXCLUSIVE CONTENT) Shingai Shoniwa launches her new single in Raffles Club called 'That Girl'' on August 15, 2012 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Spirit Of London Awards
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 10: Shingai Shoniwa attends the Spirit of London Awards at the O2 Arena on December 10, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images)
Esprit Store - Relaunch Party
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 13: Shingai Shoniwa arrives for the relaunch of Esprit flagship store on June 13, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images)
Jeremy Hunt Launches The Programme for The London 2012 Festival
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: (L-R) Actor Julie Walters, DJ Gilles Peterson, comedians Meera Syal and Eddie Nestor and Shingai Shoniwa and Dan Smith from The Noisettes attend the announcement of the London 2012 Festival, on April 26, 2012 in London, England. More than 25,000 artists from all 204 competing Olympic nations will be taking part in the festival which begins on June 21. (Photo by Rosie Hallam/Getty Images)
The Sunday Times Magazine 50th Anniversary Party
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - FEBRUARY 02: Shingai Shoniwa (L) attends the Sunday Times Magazine 50th Anniversary Party at Saatchi Gallery on February 2, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart Wilson/Getty Images)
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 - UK Premiere
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 16: Shingai Shoniwa attends the UK premiere of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 at Westfield Stratford City on November 16, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)
Cosmopolitan Ultimate Women Of The Year Awards 2011 - Outside
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 03: Shingai Shoniwa attends the 2011 Cosmopolitan Ultimate Women Of The Year Awards at Banqueting House on November 3, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images)
IZMAYLOVA: Runway - LFW Spring/Summer 2012
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: Shingai Shoniwa attends the IZMAYLOVA: Runway show at London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2012 on September 18, 2011 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images for IZMAYLOVA)
AllSaints Not For Sale - Launch Party
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Shingai Shoniwa attends the AllSaints 'Not For Sale' Launch Party at One Marylebone on September 17, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn McCormack/Getty Images)
Rimmel Hosts Party For Original London Girl Kate Moss To Celebrate Their 10 Year Partnership - Inside
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Shingai Shoniwa of The Noisettes performs at the Rimmel & Kate Moss Party to celebrate their 10 year partnership at Battersea Power station on September 15, 2011 in London, England. On the eve of London Fashion Week, Rimmel launches the 'Kate Moss Lasting Finish Lipstick Collection' designed by the supermodel herself to celebrate her 10 year collaboration with the brand. (Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images for Rimmel)
V Festival 2011 Chelmsford - Day 2
CHELMSFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: Shingai Shoniwa of the noisettes performs live on the V stage during day 2 of the V Festival in Hylands Park on August 21, 2011 in Chelmsford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)
Red Bull Hip Hop: A Cultural Odyssey Book Launch
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 28: Jamal Edwards and Shingai Shoniwa attend the Red Bull Hip Hop A Cultural Odyssey Book Launch on July 28, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole for Red Bull)
Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef Awards
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 01: Shingai Shoniwa of the Noisettes attends the Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef Awards at London Hilton on July 1, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn McCormack/Getty Images)
The Glastonbury Festival 2011 - Day Four
GLASTONBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 26: Shingai Shoniwa of The Noisettes perform on the other stage at the Glastonbury Festival site at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 26, 2011. This year's festival features headline acts U2, Coldplay and Beyonce. The festival, which started in 1970 when several hundred hippies paid 1 GBP to watch Marc Bolan, has grown into Europe's largest music festival attracting more than 175,000 people over five days. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
WTA Tour Pre-Wimbledon Party - Arrivals
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 16: Singer Shingai Shoniwa arrives at the WTA Tour Pre-Wimbledon Party at The Roof Gardens, Kensington on June 16, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for WTA)
Young People And The Performing Arts - reception
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 09: Shingai Shoniwa attends a Performing Arts reception at Buckingham Palace on May 9, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
South Bank Sky Arts Awards - Arrivals
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: Singer Shingai Shoniwa of the Noisettes attends the South Bank Sky Arts Awards at The Dorchester on January 25, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)
South Bank Sky Arts Awards - Winners Boards
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: Singer Shingai Shoniwa of the Noisettes poses in the press room at the South Bank Sky Arts Awards at The Dorchester on January 25, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)
South Bank Sky Arts Awards - Winners Boards
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: Singer Shingai Shoniwa of the Noisettes poses in the press room at the South Bank Sky Arts Awards at The Dorchester on January 25, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)
Cosmopolitan Ultimate Women Of The Year Awards - Arrivals
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 02: Singer Shingai Shoniwa arrives for the 'Cosmopolitan Ultimate Women Of The Year Awards 2010' at Banqueting House on November 2, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Naomi Campbell Celebrates 25 Year Career With Dolce And Gabbana
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Shingai Shoniwa attends as Naomi Campbell celebrates 25 year career with Dolce and Gabbana on September 21, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Celebrities On The Front Row: Day Three - LFW Spring/Summer 2011
LONDON - SEPTEMBER 19: Shingai Shoniwa attends the Julien Macdonald s/s 2011 fashion show during London Fashion Week on September 19, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Getty Images)
Celebrities On The Front Row: Day One - LFW Spring/Summer 2011
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Musicians Shingai Shoniwa (L) and Paloma Faith attend the Felder Felder and Hannah Marshall Spring/Summer 2011 fashion shows during LFW at the Somerset House on September 17, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Vintage At Goodwood Festival - Day 2
CHICHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14: Singer Shingai Shoniwa of the Noisettes performs on stage during Day 2 of the Vintage at Goodwood Festival on August 14, 2010 in Chichester, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Vintage at Goodwood)
Sony Radio Academy Awards - Arrivals
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 10: Shingai Shoniwa attends the Sony Radio Academy Awards at The Grosvenor House Hotel on May 10, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Celebrity Front Row Day 3 - LFW Autumn/Winter 2010
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Shingai Shoniwa attends the Matthew Williamson fashion show during London Fashion Week on February 21, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
St Trinian's 2: The Legend Of Fritton's Gold - World Premiere Arrivals
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: Jamie Morrison, Shingai Shoniwa and Dan Smith of the Noisettes attend the World premiere of 'St Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold' at the Empire Leicester Square on December 9, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)
Nine - World Premiere - Red Carpet Arrivals
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 03: Shingai Shoniwa of The Noisette attends the World Premiere of 'Nine' at Odeon Leicester Square on December 3, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
From Time To Time - Red Carpet: The Times BFI London Film Festival
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Shingai Shoniwa, lead singer of The Noisettes arrives for the premiere of 'From Time To Time' during the Times BFI 53rd London Film Festival at the Vue West End on October 18, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Getty Images)
T4 On The Beach
WESTON-SUPER-MARE, UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 19: Shingai Shoniwai of The Noisettes poses backstage at T4 on the Beach on July 19, 2009 in Weston-Super-Mare, England. (Photo by Jo Hale/Getty Images)
Teenage Cancer Trust 2009 - Press Room Day 3
LONDON - MARCH 26: Shingai Shoniwa of the Noisettes poses backstage during the third night of a series of concerts and events in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust organised by charity Patron Roger Daltrey at The Royal Albert Hall on March 26, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Jo Hale/Getty Images)

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