India, June 19 -- In March, English singer-songwriter Lily Allen opened the tour for her album, West End Girl, in an unusual gown created by designer Anna Fleischle. Printed on her flowy green fabric were texts and handwritten notes that her ex-husband, David Harbour, had sent to other women while he was married to her, and receipts from Chanel, Nobu and NYC's The Plaza Hotel, where he had spent money on them. It seemed more apt than something off the runway - many songs on West End Girl reference Harbour's infidelity. Allen literally zipped herself in and took control of her story.

All spring, she's been a viral example of how power dressing has levelled up in showbiz today. The "Who Are You Wearing?" question no longer cuts it on the r...