Glad Rags: BEKA on Authenticity

Get your glad rags on gang! Glad Rags is a column where we chat to some of our favourite musician's about their best garms. This week we’re joined by BEKA!

How important is clothing to you for a stage presence? 

I absolutely love clothing but don’t think I’d truly understood the empowerment it gives me until Jan 2022, where I had a show wearing a white REVELIGION dress and was completely taken by how my body responded to wearing something huge and wonderful. I felt empowered in a way I hadn’t before, and it was a wonderful moment for me to see this ‘batman putting on his mask’ response my body has to being able to step into something that feels like a facet of me, that I get to bring out on stage. So put simply, it feels like a game changer because it tells my body what to do, what we’re feeling and that I’ve got this.

Do you have a different style on stage compared to off stage? 

My stage wear feels like an extension of my day wear, but with more volume, bigger sleeves, wilder textures… it’s a flamboyant version of my everyday. I love to be comfortable and often dress to talk to my body for that day and stage wear is the same for me.

___STEADY_PAYWALL___

Do you think image is important for musicians wanting to be successful? 

I think being yourself and being able to express that authentically is important through whatever medium you enjoy, so if that means the iconic jeans and white tee of Sigrid or the fabulous oversized fringe of Sia then do it and be it, but the idea of having to ‘do something specific’ to be successful, is something I don’t buy. It’s an age old idea but, being you… however that comes out, is what I think people are drawn to.

Who are some of your style inspirations as an artist? 

I remember seeing Iris Apfel for the first time and her glorious print, silhouettes and unapologetic flamboyance really inspired me! I feel most inspired by the iconic vogue-esque old lady who has got to the point in her life where she dresses unapologetically for herself - it’s the liberation of those women that inspire me I think! I’m also a magpie and love glittery, feathery, huge, wondrous everything!

What is your favourite piece of clothing to wear on stage and why? 

I recently wore a Kevin Germanier long sleeved, backless iridescent sequinned mini dress with blue and green feathers on the arms and honestly, I don’t know if it was because I felt like a bird, or it had all my favourite elements (texture, strong silhouette, colour and structure) but it was hands down the most incredible outfit I’ve ever worn, EVER. Closely followed by the glorious Reveligion who sent a pink, tulle dress for my first LA show that, after a few weeks of feeling a little unsure of myself on stage and not quite connecting with me, it was like a rocket ship of empowerment! Shout out to tulle.

What is your favourite piece of clothing to wear offstage and why? 

I bought a grass green with yellow flecks GANNI blazer that has a very pinched in waist and oversided shoulders with chrome hammered buttons and I am addicted to it. It’s great for a day where you can’t quite think about what to wear but want to feel fabulous and then it comes with a matching skirt and I’ll often wear it if I’m feeling a little flat and admin is knocking at my door, to channel some ‘we got this’ energy to myself!

How has your style evolved alongside your journey as an artist? 

I feel like I’m finally able to want to wear something and not care about whether I'll look ‘too extra’, but more celebrate the love of clothes and art. Be that an oversized Lazy oaf tee or a tulle skirt on a rainy Monday, I think my style has become more refined in what I like and in that, more varied. I think the change has been more internal, to stop comparing myself and caring about external perception and just dress for me and for joy.
 

What advice would you give someone struggling to find their image as an artist? 

I feel like our bodies really do tell us a lot and equally they can hold habits within them - we can get so use to telling ourselves ‘I can’t wear that’ and so our bodies reject things but I think retraining your mind to tap into your imagination and ask ‘what would I wear, how would have my hair etc…’ if others weren’t going to comment. So I feel like stage one is liberation and stage two is not comparing...

Do you think there is too much emphasis placed on artists’ personal style in the age of social media?

I think there’s too much emphasis on caring about other’s perceptions and less about working out what we want. Once you start tailoring your expression for the ‘like’ you’re trapped in the fickle, false world of social media where we roll out our highlights reel. At home I am in a grey tracksuit, or a snuggly pair of fleece trousers because I want to feel cosy. When I leave I want to feel whatever I need for the day and I know my body reponds to that but for others, removing the choice and going ‘Steve Jobs' on it may be their genuine style and I think thats magic. ‘I could never wear that’ should always be ‘I chose not to wear that, but I hella could if I wanted’ (less catchy but you get the idea!)