PERFECT HARMONY
Five musicians, five fabulous looks and a whole slew of hope. By Alison Veness and Alice Birrell. Styled by Kate Darvill. Photographed by Jake Terrey.
Five musicians, five fabulous Gucci looks.
Everything is possible, no rules.” These are Gucci’s Alessandro Michele’s words and his philosophy and it is as time honoured as every rebel with music in their heart, every rip in every pair of jeans, every sequinned love heart and inked tattoo, every A minor chord to every E major chord. Fashion, music and art are all part of one creative world that is being explored so fabulously right now. We are in the midst of a creative explosion, a new era rich with possibilities. And so Vogue invited five Australian musicians to tune into the Gucci vibe that is running red hot, five women who sing and play as passionately and steadily from the heart as the man of the hour, Michele. Rock’n’roll, hell, yeah. His happy discord of Renaissance and street, which has become so much part of his design signature at Gucci, is as tangible and immersive as the sound of Asta, Banoffee, Sophie Lowe, Vera Blue and Jess Kent. Five musicians Michele loved as we worked on this showcase with Gucci. Each artist says something undeniably unique, and collectively they have a gritty, sweet and deep harmony and discord. They play it hard and strong, something memorable. If it’s all about a celebration of individuality right now, then each of them deserves a Grammy as they work towards singular yet common goals of engaging us in their conversations. They are all part of the new musical movement of women breaking through. Florence Welch (the perfect Gucci watches and jewellery ambassador) paved the way and so they have a shadow land, a mystery and bravery. They are Gucci girls in essence. Resonant and resplendent. Part of the unofficial extended family he is ceaselessly creating. Michele is totally inclusive; he has invited people into his world and imbued Gucci with a wonderful energy and the notion that anything is possible.
ASTA
The combination of fine features and slate-blue eyes, arresting as they are, gives away none of the power that musician Asta projects through her songs. The depth of vocals, which bolster singles like Dynamite and My Heart is on Fire, live up to their punchy names and signpost the career trajectory of Asta Evelyn Binnie-Ireland from Tasmania, who was able to fuse her brand of acoustic pop with contemporary electronica. It all gave way to radio time while the young singer-songwriter was still studying at school and has earnt her a spot on playlists in pockets around the country.