To celebrate #LCFClassOf2020 and the UAL Showcase, youth marketing agency, Livity, have joined us to present how music and fashion go hand in hand. Livity joined us for Streetstyle: From Teddy Boys to Grime Kids in November 2019, to celebrate subcultures then and now, in an exhibition celebrating grime culture, curated by Amy De La Haye. Today, we enjoy 'Livity Presents...' with 5 up and coming artists who are keen to share their creative vision through the medium of music, poetry and spoken word.
"I believe music is fashion and fashion is music, they are essentially the same thing. Art; a medium for self expression. Even looking through history we can see they heavily influence each other. They are personal and powerful in people’s lives; you can get the basic idea of someone by scanning through their favourite playlist and in most cases the same thing by looking through their closet." - T.O.N.I
T.O.N.I
Performs: 'Happy birthday to me'
How do the themes of #LCFClassOf2020 translate into your music/poetry/work and why?
Connection and discovery especially, play a big part in my music. As someone who isn’t the best at verbal communication, my music is literally a saving grace, a way for me to discover my feelings and understand them. Not being able to express yourself can often leave you feeling suffocated and gagging for release and my music is that for me; it’s my identity and keeps me sane.
Can you tell us why you think the connection is between fashion and music/performance is important?
I believe music is fashion and fashion is music, they are essentially the same thing. Art; a medium for self expression. Even looking through history we can see they heavily influence each other. The way an amazing performance/song can make you feel is the same way an outfit can do the same. For example; I can put on a meg the stallion track and feel like the baddest to ever do it, which is literally the same way I feel when I put on an outfit that’s to die for.
They are personal and powerful in people’s lives; you can get the basic idea of someone by scanning through their favourite playlist and in most cases the same thing by looking through their closet.
How have you been keeping creative during these challenging times?
To be honest I’ve been able to see these times as the glass being half full; it’s like I’ve been given the opportunity to really disconnect, find peace and evaluate what I really want in life. It’s really help me creatively, giving me a few months with no disturbance or external pressures, allowing ideas to just flow through naturally.
Katie
Performs: 1. Menkind, 2. Yours Truly, 3. Situationship.
How do the themes of #LCFClassOf2020 translate into your music/poetry/work and why?
These concepts are woven into my spoken word, due to me covering self image, bodily movement, depth of thought and wider perception of current affairs, furthermore life and relationships with others. Fashion is often a bold expression of performing arts and vibrant reflection of society. I have been trying to keep productive and optimistic by doing baking, embroidery, painting, writing poetry/ lyrics, calligraphy and nature walks!
Peaky Saku
Performs: I need' and 'Active'.
How do the themes of #LCFClassOf2020 translate into your music/poetry/work and why?
All of these themes tie into my musical work because my lyrics are literally my way of reflecting on significant events in my life. Identity and discovery are probably the most relevant themes in my work as I tend to be in a constant state of self discovery. However, it is my connection with others that informs my growth.
"As we shed old habits and pick up new ones through learning, we renew ourselves again and again, no? And finally I think the body is the medium through which I communicate how I feel about the messages I am expressing."
Can you tell us why you think the connection is between fashion and music/performance is important?
Fashion is the primary medium through which we communicate our identity and what we stand for to others, before we even open our mouths and introduce ourselves. It tells people about how we see ourselves, and sets the tone for what we are about to express.
How have you been keeping creative during these challenging times?
I have been writing a lot of music, but also designing clothes and producing them. To be honest one of the main ways I’ve stayed ‘creative’ is by exploring and listening to genres of music that I used to ignore; it’s broadened my pallet and given me a wider lens through which to appreciate music.
Keaton Dekker
Performs: 'Makeup' and 'ITYK'.
Can you tell us why you think the connection is between fashion and music/performance is important?
It's so important! I love creating a whole world around the art I make and fashion is a huge element of how that's possible for me. It's this visual opportunity to display even more and say more too.
Annie Rockson
Performs: 'Express Yourself', 'My Application' and 'Mask'.
How do the themes of #LCFClassOf2020 translate into your music/poetry/work and why?
Identity is a key theme that runs throughout my poetry pieces sometimes this sense of identity is strong other times it is an exploration. My poetry is a constant discovery of self expression and it is through discovering your expression, you can empower others to discover theirs. In my poem 'Express yourself' the body can be a vessel to express yourself. A lot of the times we do not focus on how our body feels and what is going on inside different parts of this. There may be a space where you are experiencing distress and another space where there is a feeling of peace and serenity. It shows the complexities of the body and shows how our space of healing and distress can exist in us at the same time and we can focus on discovering this by being more present to what's going on in the body.
How have you been keeping creative during these challenging times?
I have been creative during these challenging times by focusing on my mental health and self care, I recognise my ability to create powerfully is dependent on having a strong foundation and for me this is cultivated by looking after myself mentally.
- Follow the #LCFClassOf2020 campaign on Social Media
- Keep up to date with the UAL Coronavirus page.
- What’s on at LCF: open days and events