Somehow, we’re well into October. The days have grown shorter. The nights seem darker. The temperature has dropped. And with that, the need for a jacket to see us through winter has risen. But what approach do you take? Minimalistic and chic? Sporty and practical? Or go full glam? For Zara Larsson, the Swedish pop singer responsible for Lush Life, Ain’t My Fault and Clean Bandit collab Symphony, the answer is all of the above.
‘I’ve always been multi-dimensional in fashion’, she tells Grazia via video call. ‘I’m sporty, but I love a little glamour. My grandma has really small feet, so when I was young I could put in a little bit of paper in her heels and strut around in them. I love jewellery, anything that sparkles: I always want to mix athletic with a little glamour. I'm a show girl. If I had the time and energy I would seriously do drag and really bring it on. Even when I’m in sweats, I like it to be crispy.’
Her approach to her aesthetic, then, is well-matched by her latest project, a partnership with Superdry. Today, the brand unveils its Icons Of Style, a revisit of standout jackets from across their collections. ‘Jackets are the statement piece in any look you are pulling together, says Creative Director Phil Dickinson. ‘Superdry has been creating some of the best quality jackets for years. For me the coolest thing about the jackets beyond the quality, the premium materials, colour runs and detailing is that anyone can adapt these to suit their personal style.’
Zara, who is talking to us on a break from her shoot with Superdry, also cites the brand’s ethos as a huge part in her decision to work with them.
‘As an artist, you want to work with brands that you can stand for’, she explains. ‘Environmentally conscious brands, people who are trying to use the most the best, organic materials, people who are thinking about more than just producing nice clothes. It's a really good quality brand, but at an affordable price: my friends and family and fans will be able to afford it: it’s not unreachable.’ Sustainability in fashion is, for her, key - despite the uber glamorous behaviour of one of her style idols.
‘I watched the Paris Hilton documentary last night, and she said that she has never been photographed and the same thing twice’, she points out. ‘I was like “Iconic Bitch!” but we’re not all Paris Hilton, unfortunately! I rewear my clothes: I could wear these clothes every day. It’s durable.’
In the world of music, which has always seen artists change their appearance in line with new album campaigns and eras, there is always room for regret. It is easy, in hindsight, to cringe at old looks. ‘There are a lot of looks that I have looked back at and thought “how? Why did I think that was hot?”’ she laughs. ‘It’s embarrassing! But I think that’s fun, and I hope I will say the same thing in ten years, because it means I’ve gone full in. I’ve committed to a style. I’ve bleached my eyebrows recently, for example: it’s hot. Maybe I’ll laugh at that in ten years, but it has provoked a feeling in me, good or bad.’
She cites Rico Nasty, Madonna and, of course, Rihanna for walking the tightrope of fashion and music particularly impressively, but she also feels like she comes from a unique place of style, with her home country of Sweden’s association with clean lines and minimalism veiling an undeniable legacy.
‘I feel like I've had such great people who came before me and paved the way for what I'm doing today’, she points out. ‘Not only artists like ABBA, obviously, but Roxette, The Cardigans, Tove Lo. But also producers and writers and fashion designers: we have a lot of fun and creativity coming out of a country that is relatively small. I'm really lucky that I was able to grow up there. It’s chill.’
Like everyone, much of Zara’s life has been put on pause in the last year. ‘I can't lie: I get asked for tips but I need the tips’, she laughs. ‘To feel good, I need routine, I need purpose, and I haven’t had that this summer. It’s great to lay in bed til 3, but not every day.’ She seems thrilled, and visibly excited, to be on ser for a shoot. But she’s also excited for the release of her forthcoming album and, eventually, getting back onstage at real, public events. ‘Sometimes I tie my worth as a person so much to how many things I'm doing every day, my productivity’, she says. ‘Sometimes it’s fine to just lay in bed and watch TV shows. But I do just want the world to start spinning again.’
The Icons Of Style collection featuring Zara Larsson is available here
READ MORE: A Thank You To Keira Knightley, Britain's Most Honest Celebrity
READ MORE: No, Margot Robbie Isn't Going To Be In The Next Series Of Sex Education