Diane Birch went through a pretty heavy Goth phase as a teenager, which really didn’t sit well with her conservative pastor father. Having such faithful parents did allow a young Diane to travel all over, from Zimbabwe to Australia. Her unusual upbringing is part of what shapes her music, often described as soul, with elements of Karen Carpenter and Carly Simon mixed in for good measure.
Just check out her stellar second album, The Velveteen Age. Her style even reflects some of those 70s influences along with an appreciation for vintage, designer, and urban pieces as well as that sincere dedication to black.
Diane came onto the scene back in 2009, promoting her debut LP, aptly titled, Bible Belt. She was caught in her favored black hat, shrunken white lace tank, mini skirt, and strappy platform shoes, outside the Ed Sullivan Theater before her David Letterman appearance that year. Those structured shoes were repeat performers; she wore them again at her September show at Irving Plaza in New York. This time, the footwear worked in conjunction with ripped leggings, a white shirtdress, and a black floral headpiece.
The colorfully embellished jacket the singer songwriter donned for her January 2010 performance at the Eagles Ballroom in Milwaukee had a band uniform feel. When Diane attended CARE and NCM Fathom’s Half the Sky Event at the NYU Skirball Center in February 2010, she was once again in a black skirt and those wrapped shoes – this time, paired with a blazer and ruffled-front white shirt.
The fingerless gloves were an interesting and over-the-top addition. Diane was still sporting those gloves and go-to platforms the next day during Mercedes-Benz IMG New York Fall 2010 Fashion Week along with a grey cape. She was back in all black for an engagement at a party set up in D&G headquarters at the end of the month.
Expanding on the definition of festival chic, Diane selected a glittery silver top and pea green skirt after popping by the alice + olivia Airstream trailer during the first day of Bonnaroo last summer. Her street style is fantastically haphazard, though. The tie-dye leggings are a surprising complement to the layered top and accessories, from the hat to the funky shades, down to the light brown booties; we think it works wonders!
Diane channeled Stevie Nicks for her performance on The Tonight Show in January thanks to a flowing red Asian-style gypsy wrap over her traditional black ensemble. Diane’s throwback vibe manifests in both her music and her style making her one to watch.
