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"My good friend Chris Benz is no stranger to finding inspiration in the women around him, from elegant Hollywood scions like Elettra Wiedemann and Eva Amurri Martino to indie actresses like Alison Pill to quirky ladies old and new (think Carol Burnett and Kelly Osbourne). \"I'm drawn to girls with a certain self-effacing, humorous quality and an innate independence and point of view,\" says the fuchsiacoiffed designer. \"I love the notion of never taking yourself too seriously or being too put together.\"\n\nSo it's no wonder he's set his sights on the music world's spellbinding wunderkind Grimes (aka Claire Boucher), whom he met at his fall 2012 presentation, to edge up his harem. \"I was immediately fascinated by her carefully constructed style and effortless attitude, not to mention her unmistakable sound!\" exclaims Benz.\n\nWhile stranded in New York City postHurricane Sandy, Grimes meets me at Benz's studio to check out his latest duds, including his buoyant debut denim line. \"The idea of having muses is very romanticit's very nineteenth century,\" remarks the 24-year-old songstress, who's inspired by Marilyn Manson and artist Marina Abramovi. \"I'm constantly encountering people I want to use in my videos.\"\n\nThe ultracool Grimes makes herself at home amid a sea of the brightly printed pieces, adding instant edge to Benz's ladylike collection. \"Fashion is art; I don't see it as a means of looking hot,\" says the self-proclaimed tomboy. \"I've always had strong ideas about the way I look, but it was reactionary: I wanted to upset my parents, and I hated Catholic school uniforms and needed to be different. I'm perpetually into dark, heavy music and imagery. I've never been concerned with being feminine. But I'm hitting a middle ground now. I like exploring that side of myself, especially musically.\"\n\nBenz's ageless, neoGrey Gardens meets grunge ensembles (which he calls \"the confluence of ugly and pretty\") and youthful jeans, with styles named after his female friends and relatives, are the perfect pit stop on Grimes' ever-changing sartorial road trip. \"Designers and musicians are primed to keep thinking forward,\" he explains. \"Once an album or collection launches, you can only think about doing the next one.\" Adds Grimes: \"It's about chasing a particular kind of feeling or satisfaction. When music gives me shivers, I know I've achieved what I was trying to do. It's very primal.\" True animal instinct!"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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