Alicia Keys stylist for Moncler. The inspiration? Hers Hers New York

__This article is published in the 13th issue of __Vanity Fair on newsstands until March 28, 2023**

It seems to see her walking down the street on one of those freezing New York days, her petite physique, her arms clasped on her sides in the illusion of giving herself some warmth. “I walked around in a leather jacket that was too short and too light,” he says Alicia Keys, with a touch of sweetness when she conjures up the image of herself as a girl. “Soon I was going to sign my first record deal. I think I braved the cold because I felt like I looked my best in that jacket.” Over twenty years later, at 42, Keys is one of the best-known musicians in the world: over 65 million records sold and 15 Grammy wins. And if she succeeded, she must also thank New York, «which made me understand what dreams are made of».

It is therefore not surprising that for his first capsule collection for Moncler Genius – the Moncler co-creation platform – Alicia Keys was inspired by the New York streetwear of the late 90s, when she, as a teenager, had already written some of the songs that would lead her to success. A collaboration that «in some ways it is as if it had begun even before we met. Everyone in New York in those years loved Moncler. I myself have been a fan of the brand since I was a child. Back then, wearing their jackets was my aspiration, but I couldn’t afford them. We finally met.” And so, now, the lyrics of some of her songs appear on the back of the garments of the collection, together with the exclusive logo with the crown of the Statue of Liberty. «We wanted to create something that represented New York, that was instantly recognizable, and a reference to Empire State of Mind (the 2009 rap track in which he sings with Jay-Z, ed.). And then, the crown also alludes to the pursuit of excellence. The symbol of the maximum of possibilities that we promise to achieve».

How has your city influenced you?
«It made me who I am, it strengthened me, because in that city you must have thick skin, and it made me dream. We lived in Hell’s Kitchen which, at the time, was not an easy area, there was a lot of desolation but also a lot of opportunities».

His mother also played a big part in his upbringing, right?
«Yes. When I was 6 years old she introduced me to the “golden rule”: “Behave with others as you would like others to behave with you”. But her example would have been enough: she was the first to wake up in the morning, to go out to go to work and the last to come back. She taught me a sense of discipline, responsibility and she kept me on the straight line, even though she was always at work and she raised me mostly on the phone ».

Is the record industry still harder for women today?
«If you are a man, more doors open to you. For this we must continue to make our way and help each other. Which is what I’m doing with my organization She Is the Music. Sexism also affects work relationships.

In 2016, he launched a campaign against make-up.
«I wouldn’t call it a campaign, if anything it was a way to express myself. I was in a phase of reflection on my image and on the fact that we women feel we must always be perfect even if we are dealing with irrational and unreal ideals».

She and her husband, record producer Swizz Beatz, have two children: Egypt, 12, and Genesis, 8. Are you raising them as feminists?
“I think the fact that the woman who wrote Girl on Fire being a mom of two boys makes perfect sense. Genesis was two, three years old and was already singing it. I found it incredible that at that age he could remember words. That song contains a powerful message that reaches out to everyone, even very young children. And even the boys feel the energy of this girl on fire and respect her.

To subscribe to Vanity Fair click here.