Florence & The Machine Recommends

After her hugely successful debut album ‘Lungs’, the flame-haired Florence Welch returns with her equally emotive follow-up album, Ceremonials. The first single taken from the LP by Florence & The Machine, ‘What The Water Gave Me’ was performed at Chanel's S/S12 show by the singer busting out of a divine shell surrounded by glittering pearls and harps. Out now on Island Records, the epic album also features ‘Shake It Out’, as produced in full by the reputable sonic magician, Paul Epworth. Here Welch gives us her pick of places to go and things to see...

Can you recommend…
… a city?
Rome

… a place to eat?
Al Moro

… a place to shop back home?
Rellik

… some old artists?
Zelda, Love, The Incredible String Band

… new artists?
The Alpines, Azealia Banks

… a film?
Drive. Sick film. Or The Cockettes documentary

…a book?
'Reality Hunger' by David Shields

… a fashion label?
Vilshenko

… something to do on a day off?
Swimming in the Hampstead Heath ponds, if it's sunny. Or a visit to the V&A Museum if not.

… a song everyone should hear?
Otis Redding - Try a Little Tenderness

How would you describe your own style?
Romantic, I think and I often look like I'm in costume, I don't dress casually like, ever.

Who are your fashion icons, if any?
I guess it'd be a mix of Theodora Duncan and Patti Smith.

Is fashion a big part of your life?
It's a massive part of my life, it's such a tool for performing. It really affects the way you feel and the way you move... it can really dictate your whole presence on stage.