Partyhopper

Imagine a blind date with a celebrity. OK, not necessarily a household name but rather a talented newcomer who is on the path to fame. One of the best parts of working at In Style is getting to hobnob with huge Hollywood stars. But I also love getting to know young actors and musicians—"meet and greets," as we like to call them. And not just because they provide welcome relief from my carpal-tunnel syndrome. I inevitably find myself falling into romance mode—innocently flirting, sprinkling compliments into the conversation, and then, of course, there's the always awkward goodbye: air kiss, hug or handshake?

Ayo
Photos by Jean Marc Lubrano

Recently we welcomed—and fell in love with—a singer-songwriter whose name will be new to you but is worth remembering: Ayo. Our fashion editors probably assumed she was a model. Stunning? Check. Statuesque? Check. Stylish? Big check! Her debut album, Joyful, is already a hit throughout France and Italy, which is somewhat surprising given the fact that she sings in English. She was in town to play a showcase for influential critics and tastemakers; then she was off to L.A. for a West Coast performance and after that back home to Paris, where her upcoming gig is already sold out. As we all know, the Parisians have great taste.

The rest of America will get to hear Ayo in January, when her CD comes out on Interscope. She's being represented by my friend Yvette Gayle, who also works with the likes of Mary J. Blige and 50 Cent, which bodes well for Ayo's future in the music biz. As does her collection of self-penned songs, which don't sound like anything else on the radio these days (click on either of the links above for a taste).

We joked about some of the gushy comparisons critics have already made—to everyone from Lauryn Hill to Tracy Chapman—and I told her that to my ears she sounded like Sade gone reggae, resulting in the kind of album I imagine the melancholy singer might make if she got her groove back after a holiday in Jamaica. But a description like that doesn't really do justice to Ayo's unique sound and global appeal (she was born in Germany; her mother was a gypsy, and her father, a part-time DJ, is originally from Nigeria). All you really need to know is that her music will instantly transport you to a warmer, better place, as it did for me and my co-workers, Alysia Poe and Suzanne Zuckerman. Think of it as a sonic piña colada.

Ayo's personal style—sort of a très chic interpretation of the Euro-boho vibe—is similarly refreshing. I told her that she's bound to make many new fans in the fashion world, not only because her music will serve as a cool soundtrack to their shows but also because she'll look so great in their clothes. As it turns out, Ayo already has a friend at Chanel who sends her goodies. Wow, she's already won over Italy, France and now Chanel. Can the rest of the world (and the fashion industry) be far behind?

-- James Patrick Herman