Yuna going places
Yuna tells Dennis Chua about her plans to visit and perform in Europe, to sing in Spanish and also, to design more!
POPULAR singer-songwriter Yuna is all about “girl power”, not only through her music and lyrics but also her fashion statements.
To mark the New Year, she has just come up with a special treat for her female fans worldwide, a personalised collection of handbags and shoes, known as the Yuna X Christy Ng Collection.
This limited edition collection was launched at Bukit Bintang City Centre Sales Gallery recently, and consists of staple accessories for the modern woman’s wardrobe — a pair of pointed shoes in five colours and a saddle handbag that comes in seven shades.
Yuna, who conceptualised the collection with designer Ng last year, said each piece was designed with practicality and simplicity for women on-the-go.
FASHION FOR ALL
“We wanted to make something that everyone — from an 18-year-old to someone like our mums — can wear. It is practical yet stylish, something we can wear from day to night.”
The heels of the shoes are less than 5cm high, which add height without sacrificing comfort. The pointed toes also help create the illusion of longer legs.
The bags come with interchangeable straps and are perfect for daily essentials from smartphones to wallets.
Yuna said she and Ng first met online through Instagram last year and conceived ideas for the collection through private messages.
“I purchased my first pair of Christy Ng shoes early last year. I fell in love with them due to their beautiful colours.
“One night, I called her and said ‘Hey, do you want to work together?’”
Six months later, the Yuna X Christy Ng collection was born.
Ng said the entire collection was handmade in Malaysia and is available on the Christy Ng website.
“We want to make sure our local heritage of footwear and handbag-making is showcased to the world,” she said.
All the pieces in the collection retail for RM189 and can be found on www. christyng.com.
MUSICAL JAUNT IN EUROPE
Meanwhile, Yuna will take a week-long tour of western Europe in March.
The award-winning star will perform at popular nightspots in the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and France from March 26 to April 1.
Yuna will be performing at Electric Brixton in London (March 26), Paradiso in Amsterdam (March 27), Botanique in Brussels (March 28), Bellevilloise in Paris (March 29), Les Docks in Lausanne (March 30), and Privatclub in Berlin (April 1). Further details of her European tour can be found at https://www.facebook. com/yunamusic/
Below is a recent interview with Yuna.
YOUR NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS?
To be more productive, to take care of my health and also organise my life. I know it’s going to be a crazy year as I am releasing my album soon so it’s important for me to stay healthy, exercise, and make good financial decisions this year.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PREPARATIONS FOR THE TOUR?
I’m very excited to go to Europe. This time, I will be going to Lausanne for the very first time, so I’m eager to see what it’s like out there. As for the rest of the cities, I guess I’m excited to go on this tour with my husband Adam Sinclair.
WHAT OTHER PROJECTS HAVE YOU PLANNED THIS YEAR?
I have an album coming out soon. Before that, my single will be out next month, hopefully together with a music video that Adam and I shot together.
ANY COLLABORATION WITH NEW ARTISTES?
Yes, I’m collaborating with a few but it’s a surprise!
IT’S THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF YOUR MARRIAGE. ARE YOU AND ADAM PLANNING ANYTHING SPECIAL?
We would love to. Our schedule is packed but I think we might do something special for our anniversary — maybe a quick trip somewhere near Los Angeles. We love driving so we may do a little road trip somewhere.
YOU EXCEL IN SEVERAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. DO YOU PLAN TO MASTER ANY NEW MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS?
I would love to learn how to use an electronic trigger device called the Maschine. That would be a very cool element to add to my live performances. Of course, I would love to play the bass at some point.
YOU WERE KNOWN AS ALIS IN THE ONE IN A MILLION SHOW BACK IN 2006. TELL US ABOUT YOUR ALIS RANGE OF HANDBAGS.
My family members and close friends have always called me Alis. As the handbag collection is very special to me, I decided to use this name.
YOU SING BEAUTIFULLY IN MALAY AND ENGLISH. ANY PLANS TO SING IN ANOTHER LANGUAGE?
That is one of my resolutions this year. I really want to learn how to speak and sing in Spanish. It’s a beautiful language. Considering that I live in Los Angeles, it’s ridiculous that I haven’t tried learning to speak in Spanish.
ANY DREAM PERFORMANCE VENUE? DEWAN FILHARMONIK PETRONAS PERHAPS?
Hopefully soon. I miss having a big show in KL. Just organising a show back home is pretty tricky and expensive. We will see.
YOUR DREAM CITY TO VISIT AND PERFORM IN?
I’ve always wanted to perform in Italy. I used to go to school in Torino and it would be cool to have a show in near Milan so my former classmates can come. I’ve never had the opportunity to do a show there. Maybe one day. Italy is romantic!