“On the outside, I’ve probably lost control of my life.”

2023-11-05 18:23:29

Chanel, Mugler, Dior, Versace, Gucci, Balenciaga: The video for Balbina’s song “Hello” resembles a moving photo series from a fashion magazine in which anything is allowed. The Berlin singer dances in radically thrown together designer outfits like a super stylish Snow White.

First and foremost, Balbina has been convincing for many years with her songs, the extraordinary timbre of her voice and the top-class collaborations with Herbert Grönemeyer and the Babelsberg Film Orchestra. Nevertheless, the looks have to be right for the Warsaw native. For her, word, sound and image form a unity that she translates into audiovisual worlds of sung poetry.

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Balbina is currently finalizing her fifth album and working creatively for Polyton, a newly founded forum by music creators for music creators in Berlin. In our interview series, the Berlin pop star gives answers to “10 questions about fashion”.

1. How many times do you change clothes per day?

On in the morning, off in the evening.

2. What is your favorite piece of clothing at the moment?

Since I’m currently in a creative phase, I live in jogging suits. So on the outside, I’ve probably lost control of my life. However, there are actually parameters that the jogging suit has to meet so that I can work in it: it has to be oversized and both pieces have to be the same color. Maybe the uniform choice of colors will give me some of the feeling of structure back.

3. What criteria do you use to choose your stage outfits?

Over the last ten years, I’ve learned that I intuitively always reach for clothing that creates edges. It’s extremely rare that I wear tight-fitting or playful fabric creations. If a skirt is tight-fitting, the upper silhouette must be voluminous and geometric. If the lower part is boxy and huge, it can be a little narrower at the top. I always view my stage persona as a superlative of my self-image; I dress as if I were my own Barbie doll.

The typical Balbina look is characterized by well-chosen designer pieces, avant-garde accessories and on-point make-up.Dam Daan

4. You once said that you go through stylistic phases when it comes to your looks. Which one are you in right now?

As soon as I emerge from obscurity, I also communicate through my look; for me, clothing is a language, an attitude in public. At the moment, however, I don’t speak any public language as I devote all my energy to creation.

5. Where do you buy your clothes?

Second hand is my great love because I love cuts and materials from the 90s. Back then, fast fashion had a different definition and was not as unsustainable as it is today. I own silk blazers from KaDeWe, which are gems in terms of shape, quality and production and cost me 25 euros at Humana. I also have an unquenchable thirst for shoes with the Swoosh. Anyone who knows me knows you won’t see me running around in anything else.

6. Do you have any favorite brands?

Of course it often depends on the current designer of the brands, at the moment I like Jacquemus and finally Acne Studios again. Long Term I’m a fan of Jil Sander, but only of her own designs. My aesthetic is heavily influenced by her.

7. What trend do you dislike at the moment?

I find elements of Y2K like the Balenciaga Cagole revival quite funny, it’s certainly fun for a while, but it would be too expensive fun for me personally. I have less understanding of the tribal patterns. Guys, do as you think, but don’t get that tattooed on you. Trust me, we have done that there.

8. How often do you sort out your closet and where do the things end up?

Unfortunately, I have extreme problems getting rid of things. I have a storage room where all the costumes marinate.

9. At the restaurant, the waiter accidentally spilled red wine on your super expensive white T-shirt. What do you do?

Freak out, whine – freak out again. Be mad! But: I don’t have any super expensive white t-shirts, so this was just a bad dream.

10. What is your price threshold for a piece of clothing?

It’s difficult to say, I only buy designer clothing second hand. I have the most wonderful Balenciaga shoes in my closet that I got for only 100 instead of 1200 euros! I certainly wouldn’t buy a luxury item new at the original price. Without me! You can shoot a whole music video for this!