Lorde opens up in special edition of Viva magazine
Singer on the front cover and inside
In an unprecedented move, New Zealand’s biggest pop star has turned magazine editor for the autumn issue of award-winning Viva magazine. Over the past three months, Lorde, Ella Yelich-O’Connor, has been working closely with the Viva editorial team to create a magazine based on the theme ‘Designing A Better Future’, explains editor Amanda Linnell.
“As our special guest editor, Lorde’s key focus right from the start was to shine the light on Aotearoa’s rising fashion designers, artists, creatives and forward-thinking voices.
“Through a series of interviews and commissioned stories she has ensured the magazine is full of stimulating reads and thought-provoking topics.”
The Grammy Award-winning pop star features on the cover and in a fashion shoot inside the magazine, in a series of striking portraits shot by rising creative, photographer Ho¯hua Ropate Kurene. Lorde worked with
Viva’s fashion and creative director, Dan Ahwa, to ensure the shoot focused on sustainable and indigenous designers.
“We spent a lot of time discussing the brands, the inspiration behind the garments and the materials used — from Maungarongo Ron Te Kawa’s handwoven quilt to an embroidered skirt from Dunedin-based label Sleeping Profit,” says Ahwa.
“The shoot took place at Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery, among works by artists such as artist Salome Tanuvasa, Teuane Tibbo, and Dunedin-based ceramic artist Blue Black. Lorde was an extremely generous collaborator who wanted everyone’s work to shine.”
“Shooting the cover story with Ho¯ hua Ropate Kurene at the beautiful Te Uru Gallery in Titirangi was one of the most special days I’ve ever had on set,” the star writes in her editor’s letter. “Ho¯ hua blew me away with his world-class skill and gorgeous energy . . . I went home that evening buzzing.”
While Lorde spends much of her
time abroad, she calls Ta¯maki Makaurau home and in another unprecedented move the star, who fiercely guards her privacy, invited New Zealand writer Megan Dunn — author of What I Learned at Art School — to her home. The result is a fascinating insight into the world of the 25-year-old star. She opens up about
the backlash she received around the release of Te Ao Ma¯rama, her companion album to Solar Power, which features five songs translated into te reo, the weight of expectation and responsibility as an artist, before roping Dunn in on a hilarious driving lesson.
“As our inaugural guest editor Ella has set a very high standard,” says Linnell. “From global Zoom meetings, to the people she interviewed, to coming into the office to discuss layouts, and signing off final proofs, she has been involved in every page. As a result, this is a very special magazine.” Viva magazine — Volume 7 is on sale from Monday 28 Feb.