"Throughout her artistic journey, musician Shazza found herself progressively uncovering her true self"
Hey there! I'm Shazza, a musical maverick on a mission. The past year, especially during my sophomore album grind, was an whirlwind of creativity and self-discovery - all while pondering fashion's intricate role in my life, particularly modest fashion and how it echoes my identity and artistic expression.
Fashion, such a captivating tongue, started painting my life around the age of 17 when I finally tasted that sweet, liberating 'fashion freedom' offered during my polytechnic education. Boom! My need for self-expression skyrocketed, and the way I dressed became a significant part of figuring out who I was. It's no secret that fashion acts as a silent messenger, conveying who you are at first sight. The more I played with my look, the more I felt like I was uncovering the real me. Fast-forward to now, and I'm still chasing that delightful thrill. Fashion in this ever-changing world remains a comforting outlet that gives me control.
Diving headfirst into modest fashion has been a transformative ride. My faith is a vital pillar in my life, and honoring it through my clothing is essential to me. This commitment demands a higher level of mindfulness when it comes to choosing what I wear, fostering a more intentional and purposeful approach to my style. I seek to demonstrate that modesty isn't restrictive but rather an open canvas that allows for bold, expressive style. Sometimes it requires a creative twist, especially when styling pieces that aren't designed for modest wear, but that challenge keeps me sharp and helps me appreciate the fluidity of fashion.
There's nothing like that incredible feeling of discovering or slipping into an outfit that fits like it was tailored just for you, that profound sense of intentionality that's cultivated a reassuring bond with my personal style. I feel most empowered when my clothes are a genuine expression of me.
"Fashion, such a captivating tongue, started painting my life around the age of 17"
My single, 'Medieval,' unlocked a path to weave my culture into my art, intentionally. The track features Indian percussion we recorded live, and for the visuals, I donned a lehenga and gold jewelry, making it a special experience. Gold elements symbolize boldness and excellence, while the entire outfit—actually bridal wear—represents the struggles women face in this industry and the fight against limiting societal expectations. My stylist and I aimed to create a visual narrative of reclaiming power and challenging those expectations in a unique way.
Stepping back from my work, I dream of a fashion industry that offers more diverse and intentional ways to represent modest fashion. Brands could make a more concentrated effort to embrace diversity, showing customers that various items can be styled in various ways. Fashion, in my humble opinion, is meant to be a universal language that transcends borders and cultures.
"My single, 'Medieval,' unlocked a path to weave my culture into my art, intentionally."
Navigating the expectations surrounding modest dressing can be tricky, including a sense of perfection or unspoken "gold standard" that I always try to embrace while still making room for my authentic self-expression. It's crucial to remember that fashion is a deeply personal thing. My advice to someone crafting their style, specifically within modest wear, is to embrace the process with joy and creativity. Fashion is an amazing, fluid medium with no hard-and-fast rules. What really matters is that the way you dress reflects your values and beliefs.
Slipping on my clothes each day feels deeply purposeful and liberating because it's an act of intention, and that's what makes it so meaningful to me.
Oh, and don't forget to snag our magazine's June 'Gold' issue when it hits newsstands on the 13th or preorder it online if you can't wait that long!
- I first embraced fashion's captivating influence at the age of 17 during my polytechnic education.
- The way I dressed became a significant aspect of self-discovery, as fashion acts as a silent messenger of one's identity.
- Diving into modest fashion has been a transformative journey, fostering a more intentional and purposeful approach to my style.
- The single 'Medieval' allowed me to intentionally weave my culture into my art, using gold elements and bridal wear to symbolize boldness, excellence, and the reclaiming of power.
- I aspire for the fashion industry to offer more diverse representations of modest fashion, emphasizing creativity and the universality of fashion as a language.
- daily act of getting dressed feels deeply purposeful and liberating, as it showcases my authentic self-expression and values, making fashion a profound medium for personal growth.
