May 16, 2025 |
Dressing the world’s biggest musicians is no small feat, yet the stylists featured inside 10 Magazine Issue 74 make crafting superstar fashion perfection look like light work.
Karen Binns, global fashion director at 10 and 10 Men
“I don’t chase money, I chase ideas,” says Karen Binns, a legendary stylist and original NYC B-girl. She counts Afrobeats superstar Wizkid and Tori Amos (whom she’s worked with for three decades and styles on page 364 of this issue) as clients and has also worked with jazz drummer Yussef Dayes as well as Bianca Saunders, Feben, Mac Cosmetics, Maharishi and Cutler and Gross.
How would you describe what you do?
A creative director and stylist, though I considered this title only after years of successful receipts. I’m a developer when I’m working with artists and celebrities. When working in fashion, I’m a reporter, a pusher – both titles cover many hats because my work always starts with a strategy in place. I am a conceptualist. Everything I work on or whomever I have worked with receives a solid reason for the idea or concept I’ve offered. Because I’m [from a] pre-internet [era], I have always had a passion for working on a fresh new interpretation of an idea with just enough depth to get a mega response. Whether that’s working with a recording artist on a campaign or a fashion designer or a fashion editorial, the excitement and challenge for me is to see real results. I’m from a time where authentic interpretation was mandatory.
What place does fashion have in music today?
A huge space. They support each other in order to achieve the best outreach and develop a brand.
How do you work with an artist to build their image?
Communication on what the record is trying to say and what their message is.
Karen wears jumper by JW ANDERSON
What’s been your proudest image-making moment with an artist?
It’s hard to say, as I’m proud of all of my work with all of the artists, from Estelle to So Solid and Wizkid. But working with Tori Amos for 30 years is next level! The cover of American Doll Posse [2007] was beyond intellectual as a project. It was the fifth out of maybe 15 campaigns I created for her to show the idea of Tori as a girl group of [five] different women with issues. [We] also created an interactive online project, which was rinsed as an idea by so many people [in which each doll had written a hidden blog]. Also, because she’s one of the deepest, smartest artists and poets I’ve ever known and worked with, it flooded throughout her tour with different characters [being] portrayed each night flawlessly!
What’s the most rewarding thing about your job?
Witnessing the successful effect of my work and ideas with the artist [where I can] show and push them to their highest form of themselves.
What’s the toughest thing about your job?
Convincing them that I’m there for their best interests and needs.
What’s your favourite getting-ready track?
I have two. When I need to feel like ‘that chick’ it’s 1991 by Azealia Banks. And Hot Music by Soho when I remind myself I’m from NYC.
How do you measure success?
When you are blessed to do what you love and make a living from it!
Tour looks or red carpet dressing – which do you prefer?
Tour looks have a huge impact on the artist’s ability to perform their best. This trickles down to the red carpet.
Tell us a tour bus anecdote.
Don’t! Get! Involved!
How do you deal with superstar demands?
I don’t deal with demands, I deal with real needs, not tantrums. They’re always forgotten in minutes and should be allowed. I don’t take them on, they’re usually from stress.
If you were in a band, how would you style yourself?
With strength, confidence and swag that allows me to feel like that chick!
Taken from 10 Magazine Issue 74 – MUSIC, TALENT, CREATIVE – on newsstands now. Order your copy here.
STYLE COUNCIL
Creative Editor GARTH ALLDAY SPENCER
Text CLAUDIA CROFT
Portrait HENRY BOADU
Fashion assistant GEORGIA EDWARDS
Production SONYA MAZURYK
