Sehnsucht — Chanel Haute Joaillerie
Sehnsucht
A conversation
with Lary
Photography Juliette Abitbol & Edouard Sanville Styling Lune Kuipers
Make-up Marianne Agb Hair Chiao Shen
Art Direction Kevin Pfaff
Interview & Words Stefan Dotter
Music is a fundamental form of communication: it provides people with a channel through which they can share emotions, intentions and meanings even if their spoken and understood languages differ. It is increasingly used as a means to formulate and express our individual identities.
We had a conversation with Lary — musician and actress, or artist more generally — about the particularities of her process and journey through questions of identity. She shares her views on what makes an artist an artist, and the poetry she finds in contrast and opposition. Her soulful and melancholic works are a gateway to a personal space, lending insight to how she “decides to open the door to where it hurts”.
In close collaboration with our mutual partner and friend Chanel we explored their highly sought after Haute Joaillerie collection “1932” together.
Lune Talisman Bracelet
18k white gold, diamonds
Stefan Dotter: Lary — what did you eat for breakfast?
Lary: Black coffee and a croissant.
SD: I canʼt see you right now ... so describe to me your surroundings, what do you feel, what do you see, where are you?
L: Iʼm in Venice, Italy, in a little garden in front of my hotel; I can hear the voices of the people in the little square around the corner in the back, and the voice of my mom. I feel calm and feminine and thankful for Italian coffee.
SD: Was there a moment when you knew that art was going to play a major part in your life, could you tell me about it?
L: No, not really. I also really question the whole narrative of “the defining moment”. I think there is always a variety of little happenings, decisions and moments that lead to wherever you are in life. If we’re talking about art, it’s even easier. I believe, you either look at life as an artist or you don’t, and if you do, art is always gonna play a major part in your life — no matter if you are trying to make a living from it or not. I never questioned being an artist and just went with the flow.
SD: Who were your influences when you started, and who are they now? How has that changed?
L: I think what has changed is that I thought my influences were certain artists, writers or people in my life. But I’ve come to realise that it’s not people but a certain type of perspective that I relate to. And that can be communicated through language or music or through something someone says at the table next to me in a restaurant. It’s that mix — like melancholy that doesn’t take itself too serious, or love that feels so good that it feels bad, or strength that comes from vulnerability. I am always drawn to, and inspired by, the poetry I find in contrast and opposition.
Lune Talisman Buttons Earrings
18k white gold, diamonds
Soleil Dore Necklace
18k white gold, 18k yellow gold, diamonds, yellow diamonds
Soleil Ganse Necklace
18k white gold, diamonds
SD: Music is a key component to identifying with other people because it offers a sense of both self and the collective. Are you acutely aware of that when creating new music?
L: Yes and no, the process of creating is a very private and subjective one to me, so when I do, I am trying to be as unaware of everything and anyone as possible. A bit like Gollum (from The Lord of the Rings), I find it hard to share that little, treasured place inside myself.
SD: What role does fashion play in terms of how you create your persona?
L: If we look at fashion as a line of communication, then it would be an accurate reflection of how I feel, what I’m into, what inspires me, and sometimes who I would like to be. Some layers of my personality can probably be decoded through the layers of my clothing.
SD: For this story, we decided to work with a mutual collaborator of ours: Chanel. How did you start working with the brand?
L: Hmm, I am not sure. I think I was introduced to Chanel through a friend who knew that there was mutual respect and some type of fandom and appreciation, and that lead into a very respectful friendship and work relationship. Apart from it being a dream to work with a fashion house like Chanel, they have been so supportive and trusting. Every time we cross paths it’s been a beautiful and wholesome experience — I love those women.
SD: Chanel is a fashion house with a rich history and a very distinctive identity. How do you integrate such a strong brand into your own universe?
L: Well, it’s perfect actually. My own universe is very much a mix of contrasting identities. To me, it never feels quite right to be or to look like just one thing — I always have to add a piece of the Other, some kind of opposite, to make something feel true to myself. Having a brand with such a strong and iconic identity as part of my universe makes it all much clearer, because the contrasting ideas are not coded and very visible. No blurred lines, just simultaneities, in a new context.
SD: You’re acting more now. How does branching out into different mediums transform your body of work?
L: I feel like it helps to create distance between my art and me. It feels very healthy to be able to separate myself from my art and see it as something I do, not something I am. I find myself putting less pressure on myself, and have more fun creating and asking myself: “Okaaaay so what else is there?”
Soleil Dore Bracelet
18k white gold, 18k yellow gold, diamonds, yellow diamonds
Soleil Dore Earrings
18k white gold, 18k yellow gold, diamonds, yellow diamonds
Soleil Ganse Ring
18k white gold, diamonds
SD: Is there a method to how you set up the space where you create, in order to be completely vulnerable during the process of creation?
L: I think it’s more of an inner set up, like some headspace to ready myself to open that door that leads to where it hurts, and reassure myself that I can close it again if I wish to. Once I know where I am headed creatively, it doesn’t really matter. I really like opening up and being vulnerable, but it doesn’t come naturally to me. I am very proud and controlled so I have to bring my attention to it, if that makes sense.
SD: When people tell you that your music has affected or even changed them — how does that make you feel?
L: It humbles me a lot. I usually get really shy and don’t know what to say. To be able to touch someone else’s life is a beautiful gift, but as soon as I start thinking about it, it also feels like a big responsibility. The things I write and how I sing or dress are so personal that, even if I share them, I instinctively deny all responsibility.
SD: What is the most useless talent you have?
L: I don’t think there are any useless talents. What does useless even mean? What are people supposed to use talents for?
SD: What is your favourite word?
L: Sehnsucht (longing).
SD: Are you ever scared of your own fantasies?
L: All the time.
SD: What’s next?
L: I’m gonna take some time to finish a new album, and travel and be with myself. All of those things are long overdue.
Soleil Dore Necklace
18k white gold, 18k yellow gold, diamonds, yellow diamonds
Fashion credits
Image 1
Short coat in black woollen felt embellished with a belt and jewelled buttons
Turtleneck sweater in white viscose
Image 2
Short dress in black cashmere embellished with jewelled buttons
Heeled loafers in shiny black leather
Image 3, 4, 9
Trench-coat in dark beige leather embellished with a belt and jewelled buttons
Image 5
Short coat in black woollen felt embellished with a belt and jewelled buttons
Image 6
Jacket and jeans in dark blue quilted-effect printed denim embellished with jewelled buttons
Image 7
High-neck top in white cotton embellished with jewelled buttons