On the Fashion Edge with Leather, Fishnet Stockings, and Three-Piece Suits

Well… the answer is yes. And you know what? I’m perfectly fine with that. The image, that is. Surely, that’s all it is, an image, because we all know that to make it in this industry - if only to manage to stick your head out from above the crowd - you need more than a pretty face.

Usually.

Sometimes.

Well, ok, you at least need some good backing and outrageous marketing.

This is where the Darling Stilettos differentiate themselves from the rest: they’re actually good. In fact, they flat out rock. For those of you old enough to remember, they remind me of a time when rock n’ roll was pure, honest, and raw, when rocker chicks did more than mimic the boys, when true glamsters wore their colours proudly.

The Darling Stilettos are, to me, Cycle Sluts from Hell meets Brigitte Bardot, or Joan Jett meets the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. Oh sure, they have as much – if not more – talent as any of the punk legends they name as their influence, but they’re more than that: they’re also fashionable, sexual, and, well let’s be honest, with the combination of both, extremely marketable.

Fronted by founder Ace Harper, the band has already conquered Hollywood and several cities across the U.S., much thanks to their attention-grabbing, attitudinal moves, and a little help from good friend, former GNR and current Velvet Revolver drummer Matt Sorum. Despite their tough attitude, the members of the group are thoroughly trained artists who have been dancers and singers all their lives. “We’re not just random celebrities trying to drop an album and tour. This is what we do, and we do it very well,” said the Hell-raised (that’s Hell, Michigan) vixen bandmate Gina.

“Assured and sultry, headstrong and hardcore, they’re the hottest, sassiest women you’ve ever seen swagger in stilettos,” or so says the website but go on, check them out for yourself, you’ll most likely agree. They’re the perfect soundtrack to your red carpet walk in those scandalous heels you’ve been hiding in your closet.

For readers still looking for the fashion lien to this article, if you haven’t yet figured out that rock and roll and fashion are a match made in heaven, here’s something else to sink your teeth into: the girls are dressed in original, steamy, punk rock outfits made by Corey Parks, legendary fire-breathing bass player in the Grammy-nominated Southern rock-n-roll band Nashville Pussy. Corey is also known for designing out-of-this-world clothes for rock-n-roll royalties like Steven Tyler, Bono, Lenny Kravitz, and Sheryl Crow, as well as pop star Britney Spears. She has dressed fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld, and has designed Rhianna's jaw-dropping and awe-inspiring costume for 2008's Video Music Awards.

What’s more, fronter Ace’s boyfriend Matt Sorum and friend Max Noce have been promoting their own line of elegant, rock apparel, Sorum Noce, for several years now. While the rockers admit to drawing influence from trendsetter David Bowie and master-of-style Tony Curtis, they take pleasure in showing off their chic and stylish gentlemen's couture line on models such as Velvet Revolver bandmates Duff McKagan and Slash, and other stylish celebs such as Dave Navarro and Jerry Cantrell.

How’s that for a melting pot of individuality? And to think you were wondering where I was going with that…