Interview / brie ng schwartz
Photos / Andrew and Sam @indiestudios.nyc
Stylist / Phil Gomez
beauty / Rory Alvarez
Hair / isaac davidson
set decorator/ alex murphy
photo assistant Jordan “JP” Price, Rachel Cara
Stylist Assistant / Marianogarcia
New York Nuyorican It Girl and Versatility leaf Shining in all its glory in lieu of its most recent EP release, In your dreams. LEAF continues to bring the heat with jazzy tunes, rap tracks and R&B bops with their signature regal confidence. Thematically, the album explores themes of ambition, financial abundance, and romantic pursuits in the hustle and bustle of the city. Her home of New York City has always been the backdrop for her creative DNA, she came from a family of New York musicians and artists and spent her teenage years at LaGuardia High School.
As a performing arts high school alumnus, I was thrilled to spend a warm morning getting to know that dreamy girl in Bushwick. LEAF was a trusty ray of sunshine joining us at the beginning of our day as we chatted in the makeup chair. She was ready to contribute to her look by being a fashion girl in addition to being a songwriter. After attending Fashion Week last February, we discussed her roots in fashion and how her style is reflected in all aspects of her career, from her visuals to other creative aspects.
You were at New York Fashion Week last month. What were some of the memorable parts of it and what inspired you during that time?
was my favorite show kim shui And Area. Kim is absolutely amazing. I’ve been following her work for years because she’s my friend, and being a New York girl, I’m very proud of her. AREA’s silhouettes were stunning this season. This is a higher height than what I have seen in previous shows.
I’d love to hear more about your own style and fashion history.
I grew up in New York, so fashion has always been a part of my life. My father collected sneakers, my mother loved fashion. When I was about 16 I discovered that fashion was an industry and that’s when my style changed.
Is there an aesthetic or movement that inspires your style?
A lot of my style, which I’ve talked about throughout my career, is related to pinup culture. I’ve always been a great admirer of the glitz and glamor of Hollywood. I have always been attracted towards it. Especially because I always loved bike culture and tattoos on pinup girls.
What or who have been some of your sonic inspirations?
When I first started in 2016 to 2018, the internet was just taking off, and a lot of my music was based on underground rap songs of that time. I was in this and listening. Now I’m interested in different things, and in your dreams Was inspired by my jazz influences. My great-grandfather was a jazz musician and it’s always been a big part of my life.
You are LaGuardia’s child! I’m interested in hearing more about your influences from that time in your life that you still carry with you in your art-making today?
I’m very fortunate to become a singer because of LaGuardia, and speaking of jazz, I came to LaGuardia singing jazz songs like “My Funny Valentine” and “Valerie.” I like texture. I like tunes. At LaGuardia, I sang a lot of opera and Broadway, which also gave me the vocals I needed.
You are loud and proud of your Puerto Rican heritage. How do you feel your culture is reflected in your work?
SSpending a lot of time in Puerto Rico with my cousins has helped me come up with ideas for making things in the future. A lot of my friends are Dominican, and I think the Dominican culture is beautiful too. I consider myself lucky to have grown up in a place where there are so many stories.
“Nobody” is the first single in your dreams, And you released some visuals along with the song. What can you share about the creative choices behind them?
I told my team I wanted it to feel a bit like Janet Jackson’s “Any Time, Any Place” where she’s sneaking out with her neighbor. He was the strongest reference we had.
where was that concept for in your dreams come from?
in your dreams Part of a trilogy and if you know me, you know I love three. Dream girl i was my first project Dream girl Era. in your dreams This is my second project. This has a double meaning. It’s like “You can only see me in your dreams” and then there’s also “in your dreams” as an expression. I think that’s why the music is so playful, and the message so convincing.
Jacket + Hat, ESQUE/BY. Skirt, Vintage. Jewelry, stylist own. Shoes, TAO TAO.
Apart from sound and style, you are also an actress! Tell me about your “Dreamgirl Diaries” Instagram series from your last album and how it came to be.
i always wanted to live in sex and the City. I think we need a show, so we have to make our own show. My girls are always into some crazy, dramatic, psychotic relationships, so I wanted to reflect that.
Do you identify with any of these? sex and the City girls?
I identify with each girl a little bit because they all have such strong personalities that it leaves room for strong conflict between them. This was a little before my time, but I think it’s even worse now when it comes to dating in New York. I feel like nothing has changed that’s fun and interesting.
All of those girls are also ambitious in their own right, which is one of the themes in your dreams. What is your current relationship with ambition, and how has it evolved since you first started making music?
I realized that you can have ambition, but also need self-care. The first song on the album is “Revenge” which is definitely a more mature approach that I’ve taken in terms of ambition. The best revenge, and I will continue to say this, is to be your best. Revenge is a moment. Self-revenge is forever.
in your dreams This is the soundtrack for any New York girl walking down the city streets in all the glory of its main character. LEAF’s immaculately balanced presence reminds us all of the power of using one art form to inform another. Lyrically, sonically and visually, she brings the heat to this next stage Dream girl Yug, leaving us to dream about what she will do next.
Top, Melke. Necklace + Earring, Susana Avega. Bracelets, Alexis Bittar. Tights, stylist own. Yellow diamond bracelet, Viviana Halil. Shoes, Benedetta Boroli.
Corset, Sahar Jaberian. Gloves, ESQUE/BY. Hat, Dolce Gabbana. Shoes, Benedetta Boroli.
