Gianluca Gibbons and Hannah Eggen make up the fashion and music duo
HEЯITAGE, who believe fashion and music are quite alike; they allow for self and artistic expression, with creative freedom. Their new single for “Fashion Slayer” is an ode to some of their favorite fashion brands, and has quite the funky groove.
“Fashion Slayer” is the lead single from the duo’s full-length, The Color Blue. Heavily influenced by the fashion trends in their native home of Bermuda, the duo expresses this with each of their own unique sense of style. The music video for “Fashion Sayer” was filmed by Allison A. Waite (Princess Grace HBO Film Award), and feature’s Eggen in a leopard-print top and a cream-colored sport jacket for Gibbons. Stylists for the shoot were Los Angeles-based Jerris Madison and Phillip Keophaphone.
Fashion is very important to you both; can you relay to us your earliest memories of fashion and it’s accessories?
Hannah Eggen: Well, I grew up in when crop tops and baggy pants were the thing to do. That sense of fashion has never really left me, even though I’m not into baggy pants, I love a crop top. Even earlier than that, I remember my sisters mixing prints and bold colors.
Gianluca Gibbons: I grew up as a missionary kid, and didn’t move back to Bermuda till I was in 5th grade. Up until then, I had no real concept of fashion or what was “in-style”, but I quickly caught on. Soon I had my own pair of oversized red Dickie shorts, white chucks and my nick-name “Luca” airbrushed on fresh white t-shirt, and lets not forget the diamond studded “Luca” belt buckle from the mall kiosk.
“Fashion Slayer” is your new single; how do you think fashion and music go hand in hand?
HEЯITAGE: We believe that fashion is music you can wear. Music and fashion are similar, everyone has their own taste and preference, and we usually choose what makes us feel good. Everyday can feel like a runway show when you have on that dope outfit and the right song in your headphones. “Fashion Slayer” is a song about being confident in whatever you wear. We wrote the song when the struggle was real! But you’d never know, because our fashion and music kept us feeling good.
Your latest full-length, The Color Blue, features your new single “Fashion Slayer.” How do you both work through your creative similarities and differences?
HEЯITAGE: Coming from the same island, Bermuda, and having a similar upbringing has been a major blessing because it gives us a natural chemistry. Early on in our writing sessions we learned to humble our egos so there could be free-flow in communication and creativity. Thankfully we both create from a place of love, so getting to the beauty of the music was a natural progression. There’s a time to work together in the same room, and there’s a time to create in our separate spaces. The trick is finding the right balance, and we’ve done that, but the journey never stops!
Who do you think are some of the most iconic fashionistas in or outside of music, and who have had a major impact on your music and fashion sense?
HEЯITAGE: Our band name is HEЯITAGE, because we’re a composition of the culture and upbringing that has impacted our fashion and music sense. There is no one person who we could point out because it’s truly the people that inspire what we create. Both of us have traveled around the world and there’s nothing more inspiring than seeing the cultural differences that make each person beautifully different. The true icons of inspiration live down the street from the corner store.
The music video for “Fashion Slayer” looks like you guys had so much fun! Can you share with us that experience and working with director Allison A. Waite?
HEЯITAGE:Creating “Fashion Slayer” was one of those, ‘this feels like a movie’ experiences. By far one of the most exciting productions we’ve done to date. The key to pulling it all off was working with like-minded people who love what they do, and work hard at it! We had a whole family of creatives including, dancers, stylists, production, graphic design, who made it all possible. Working with Allison A. Waite, and the Royal Jelly Collective was an experience you don’t find very often in this industry. We didn’t have to worry about our vision coming to life, Allison has vision, paired with an eye for detail that effortlessly captured our personalities within fashion. Her direction was clear and kept the team on the same page. It was an intense sequence of shooting, but we can all enjoy the fruits of our labor with the “Fashion Slayer” music video. The hard work paid off!
Fun Questions
Who do you think in music, besides both of you, wear fashion very well and are paving a way?
Hannah: Sade has always set the tone for the ladies in my opinion. Classic and feminine. As far as men, I like Jimi Hendrix inspirations. I see his essence in clothing all the time, prints on prints and cold beautiful colors. Love them both.
Gianluca: Lenny Kravitz and Prince are two artists whose fashion sense continues to pave inspiration. Their mix of classy gentleman and extentric artist cause their look to speak just as strongly as their craft.
Who was your first concert, and do you have a favorite so far?
Hannah: My first concert was the Stylistics, I was so inspired. My favorite concert I have attended was Carlos Santana. He completely changed the environment with his presence, and I love how he made the stage his home with his incense and candles, it set the tone for his passion in performance.
Gianluca: My first memorable concert was when ‘The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir’ came to Bermuda and my church youth choir was invited to sing on stage with them. That was a moment I will never forget. It was as if I fell into their album, their music is so majestic.
What was your first album on CD and/or vinyl?
Hannah: My first album I owned was Kanye West “The College Dropout.”
Gianluca: The first album I owned back in early 2000’s was the Life album by Tye Tribbett.
Do you have a guilty music and/or entertainment pleasure?
Hannah: Okay, I have a thing for Ip Man, and any Martial Arts movies. Back to Ip Man though, he is dreamy.
Gianluca: When I was in 3rd grade I had a little green radio and would fall asleep to the country station every night. In fact, my mom bought me a country music cassette tape that taught me my times table. I still use a calculator to this day.
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