Ciara Made Gap x LoveShackFancy, the coolest collaboration of the summer

Like countless moms at the start of summer vacation, Ciara got her kids into the car in search of a fun outdoor activity. The difference is that when you're a megastar, you don't always run to the nearest swing. Instead, your playground is a photo shoot for Gap. "You know what to say, 'You plan and God laughs? ' she asks when we connect over the phone. 'It was literally that photo shoot...I'm so proud of their quality and loved being able to share the campaign with them. But children will be children! You have a whole vision of how it's going to go...and then you get, to put it politely, a remix."

Appropriately, the collection itself is also a remix, one between Gap and LoveShackFancy, the all-floral brand that mixes Hamptons chintz and Versailles vibrations. As a muse for Tom Ford and Dundas and a designer herself, the pair seemed fun, if unlikely. "That's why I liked it!" says the 37-year-old. “I'm definitely a tomboy, but I really love how this collection sits at the intersection of culture and romance, and also, it merges iconic Gap styles. It can still have that advantage, if you style it your way."

For Ciara, that includes mixing Kate Moss-style rubber boots with Gap's latest floral hoodies and maxi dresses. "You could do it with sandals instead and it would be a whole other thing," she said, "But for me, I wanted it to be rock 'n' roll...you know, I won't be in a campaign and have to become someone else. I'm at the point [in my life] where I'm only going to wear something if I can really own it."

ZOEY GROSSMAN

I'm at the point [in my life] where I'm only going to wear something if I can really make it my own."

Those looking to follow his lead and create their own clothes can now shop the range of basics for adults and children, including sweaters sweatshirts, t-shirts and dresses, and even a pair of Miu Miu-style ballet flats that are very convincing. For best results, Ciara recommends taking photos of your appearance before stepping out à la Cher Horowitz from Clueless—though she admits she might be the only person in the world who hasn't memorized the movie.

"I actually don't remember the part where she says always take Polaroids," she laughs. "I'm not sure I've heard this quote before. But I agree The golden rule before doing any red carpet - and I learned this obviously the hard way - is you have to take a shot. Get the wide shot. Get all the angles. Things translate differently on camera, so if you need to, step into that Gap box and do it! sure it's photographic...