Founded in 2004 by Emmanuel de Buretel, former CEO of Virgin and EMI Europe, Because brings together talents from around the world wherever good music is found. Artists including Diplo, Jorja Smith, and Calypso Rose set off to conquer the globe.
Let's get loud! Fall 2019 marked a colorful era for Kenzo, paying homage to creative director Humberto Leon's Chinese-Peruvian background with bright knits and textiles that call to mind the Andean highlands. The neon reptile handbag—complete with an all-seeing eye—adds an Amazonian twist to the South American palette, complementing the psychedelic, fleecy prints. With pieces that seem to purr and crawl all on their own, the striking collection takes a new life on these featured artists, including Diplo, Jorja Smith, and Calypso Rose.
The collab between the fashion house and the playmaking artists occurred thanks to Because Music, one of Europe's leading indie music groups. Founded in 2004 by Emmanuel de Buretel, former CEO of Virgin and EMI Europe, Because brings together talents from around the world, wherever good music is found.
JORJA SMITH
Neo-Soul Singer
Who is she?
British, 21 years old.
What should you listen to?
Her break-out song, "Blue Lights" which sampled Amour, Émoi...et Vous" the music of which was composed in 1981 by Roland Romanell who accompanied the iconic French singer Barbara for 20 years. Her most recent full-length album is Lost & Found (Because).
Have you seen her at Coachella?
She sang at the 2018 festival.
Photography: Maria Anderadaki
Fashion: Leah Abbot
DIPLO
Producer Extraordinare
Who is he?
Thomas Wesley Pentz Jr. AKA Diplo, American, 40 years old.
What should you listen to?
The prolific producer has too many projects to count. There are his solo records, not to mention his work with Major Lazer, Jack Ü (with Skrillex) and LSD with Sia and Labrinth. He's won three Grammy Awards. His most recent release is the EP Europa (Because).
Have you seen him at Coachella?
He's performed there six times.
Photography: Scott Leon
Fashion: Gabriela Cambero
LOLO ZOUAAÏ
R&B Revelation
Who is she?
American, 23 years old.
What should you listen to?
In March 2019, her single "High Highs to Low Lows" reached more than 6.5 million listeners on Spotify. She's already won an award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame for her song "Still Down", which was written for H.E.R, and has collaborated with the much-beloved Blood Orange (who played the last Louis Vuitton show, invited by Virgil Abloh). Her discography is available on streaming sites.
Have you seen her at Coachella?
We're betting on her presence at the 2020 festival.
Photography: Manuel Obadia-Wills
Fashion: Gabriela Cambero
TA-RA
Cosmic Sensation
Who is she?
French, 26 years old.
What you should listen to?
She started out under the name Ta-Ha. She's lived in Tokyo and releasd an EP, Liquidcrystal, as Senshi 1992 in 2014. Distinguished by the joyfully handcrafted style of her videos, she's also generous: "Please do not pay for my EP, it is free, here is the link," she has said on a Facebook page (which since disappeared). Her most recent release is Rare1 (Because).
Have you seen her at Coachella?
We're also betting on her presence at the 2020 festival.
Photography: Manuel Obadia-Wills
Fashion: Gabriela Cambero
CALYPSO ROSE
Diva from the Caribbean
Who is she?
Trinidadian, 78 years old.
What should you listen to?
She has released 21 albums and won a Victoire de la Musique (French Grammy) in 2017. Manu Chao has worked with her as a collaborator and producer. Her most recent release is So Calypso! (Because)
Have you seen her at Coachella?
She'll be performing at the festival for the first time in 2019.
Photography: Evan Browning
Fashion: Roberto Johnson