You live in Antwerp. What brought you here?

When I joined Hooverphonic, I moved from Ghent to Antwerp. It was easier to rehearse. I’d always wanted to buy my own place, and my father found this apartment online. I only had to look at it once, just for ten minutes, and I was immediately sold. I didn’t actually plan to live in Antwerp, but then I saw this house and thought, ‘that’s where I want to live’. I didn’t even stop to consider the location, street, or the fact that there is never any parking around here.

Your interior has an authentic Fifties look. Why the passion?

I think the Mid-Century style is cool, and its something that I love to immerse myself in. When I studied in Ghent, my digs were very Sixties. Almost everything was plastic, with a few dark cupboards. Many 1950s designs sit on legs, which looks so much lighter. Our music studio, Studio Jos (named after Noémie’s dog), is also decorated in the Fifties style throughout. Is

I’d always wanted to buy my own place, and
my father found this apartment online — I only
had to look at it once, just for ten minutes, and
I was immediately sold

Is the style reflected in your clothes?

I went through a phase when I wore pencil skirts and all different kinds of patterns. Fortunately, I soon realized that it wasn’t for me. Actually, I like fairly classic things. I wear a lot of dark blue and black because it’s easy. I don’t have much time when choosing an outfit, and I always wear high heels. Furthermore, I’d much rather invest in something expensive, and in high-quality pieces, than spend my money on passing trends and disposable fashion. I like to buy a skirt that I know I can wear in ten years time.

You often wear Ginger in your free time. How did you discover the brand?

My stylist introduced me to the collection. On our first visit to the store, I immediately said, ‘this is a perfect match!’ It looks fashionable, but is also very practical. Easy, high-quality pieces that you don’t need to think too much about. You never have to worry about how to stand or sit. It just always looks good. These kinds of brands, I love.

I wear a lot of dark blue and black because it’s easy

I don’t have much time when choosing an outfit, and I always wear high heels

Is it important to work with a stylist when determining your look?

Yes, absolutely. We also worked with a stylist in Hooverphonic. There are always aspects of yourself that you don’t like, while others you can relativize. I see myself very differently to the way my stylist does. She also knows what I think is cool, and what I don’t like. So if I have a photo shoot and don’t have time to select the outfits with her, then she can go in search of the best outfits for me. And I know that it will work.

How different are your stage outfits from your everyday clothes?

There’s something of an overlap. On stage, you can wear pieces that have a more ‘showy’ feel. For the guys, jeans and a t-shirt suffice. But for girls… there is so much more that you can do, so why not? I often go for an open back, or shorts. A short skirt is also an option, but in combination with a long-sleeved T-shirt. My favourite designer is Veronique Branquinho. Her clothes are always stylish without being flashy or bling-bling. I love low-key glamour.

I’d much rather invest in high-quality pieces
than spend my money on passing trends and
disposable fashion

You release your first solo album at the end of April. How does it feel to stand on stage in your own right?

Very exciting. In recent weeks, however, it’s been very stressful. My solo debut has to find its own way in the world. Because I was part of a large group like Hooverphonic, I don’t think that the public, or the fans, have ever seen ‘the real me’. It was then a question of fitting into the overall picture. But with the music I make now, and the debut album, I think people will begin to say to themselves, ‘Ah, yes, so that’s Noémie’.