For Swedish pop-star Zara Larsson, 2020 has been filled with life lessons. The 22-year-old star has been performing since her early teens and was used to working 24/7. But Larsson’s schedule—and nearly everyone else’s—ground to a halt once lockdown began. The change meant more time to spend with friends and family while at home but it also allowed Larsson the space to evaluate what it means to be busy. “I always want something stimulating, and I feel my best when I’m busy and have a purpose [so] it’s been hard during these times,” she shared via Zoom from Stockholm. “This year has taught me a little about myself. I understand now that my worth isn’t tied to how productive I am.”
Things may have slowed down, but when it’s time to put on a show, Larsson goes all out. Last month for MTV’s European Music Awards in London, Larsson brought the house down with an epic performance of her single “Wow” complete with choreography by JaQuel Knight. While in town, Larsson settled back into a busier schedule. She had a few recording sessions, put the finishing touches on a forthcoming music video, and enjoyed a little downtime in her artsy Airbnb. Documenting each moment with photographer Michaela Quan, Larsson threw herself into a special diary for Vogue.
Though it’s clear she’s found ways to stay stimulated, Larsson is eager to get back to doing what she loves. “As an artist, you have an existential crisis when you aren’t working,” she says. “But I think that hopefully next year, we’re going to get back to some form of normalcy. I’ve learned that I need routines, I need people around me who ground me, and [to be] doing what I love. 2020 has been tricky, but I know I’m not the only one who feels that.”
Below, she takes Replica Handbag Store along for her London trip.
Photo: Michaela Quan1/16I’ve been working with JaQuel since 2016, and he’s such a force of energy. He’s such a fun guy, and we always have a good laugh together. But you also know not to mess around when you’re working with him because he demands your very best. When we’re working, I feel safe because I know it’s going to turn out great, no matter what. The production might not be there, the outfit could be trash, but I know that when we walk out on that stage as a group, we’re going to shine as dancers and performers.
Photo: Michaela Quan2/16So, some of these girls I’ve been working with for years. I have four dancers that I always have with me, and the rest are there whenever we need a bigger effect for the background. It’s the more, the merrier. The zebra print is for Little Mix’s TV show, The Search, that we shot in London.
Photo: Michaela Quan3/16Here, we are rehearsing the EMAs. Initially, we had a different costume in mind, but when it arrived, I hated it. So this is me calling my manager and saying ‘we’ve got to fix this.’ Our stylist had to run to Selfridges and snatch everything because I wasn’t walking out on stage looking like I’m headed to a Halloween party. Maybe you can see the sadness in my eyes here—I’m stressed but still trying to smile.
Photo: Michaela Quan4/16I’m working with this makeup girl, Sophia Sinot, right now, and she’s so fun. She’s only 22 and so creative. I met her on a shoot with my friend, Paul Edwards, in Stockholm. Paul was like, “I know this girl from Amsterdam, let’s fly her over this is going to be fun” so we did, and I fell in love with her energy and talent.
I don’t always know what to do with makeup. I’ll be sitting in the chair, and a makeup artist will ask my opinion, and I’ll say, “just do something nice.” Sophia always has ideas. Some of the people I’ve worked with before would go, “let’s do a no-makeup makeup look” which is cute, but I think when you do a show, everything should be showy. The fact that Sophia isn’t afraid to take me out of my comfort zone is remarkable. I was not sure about that eyeliner when she told me about it. Even when she drew it on me I felt like I was in a manga, but she knew it looked great and it added something to the entire look.
Photo: Michaela Quan5/16My stylist Dogukan Nesanir was so excited about these because they don’t normally make them in purple. In this photo, you can see the rich deep shade. He was like, “they’re custom, your whole look is custom” and that does feel special. Obviously, these went perfectly with the dress, which was the point, but they were super comfortable too. I love the square toe, there’s something so modern about it.
Photo: Michaela Quan6/16I’m always a little scared when I’m wearing jewelry because I’m wearing [the cost of] a house, you know what I mean? It’s so strange. These came with a guard who watched me the whole time, but they looked so beautiful. I love Bulgari’s entire Serpenti collectsion. It’s iconic. I was wearing the snake earrings, which were fun, and the bracelet and rings too. Sometimes it can get princess-y when you’re wearing a lot of jewelry, but these added something extra fancy for a special day. Bulgari has been so supportive and generous with lending me pieces if I have somewhere to go, and everything is nicer with a little bling!
Photo: Michaela Quan7/16Before the EMA’s I’d been wearing Versace for smaller performances and events. I think they’re such a fun brand—they’re so colorful and youthful. Just seeing the runway shows, and how everything moves, how it all feels so fresh.
I love purple, it’s a little statement. This was one of their iconic Versace pieces, and everything about it—the chainmail, the low-cut back—was sexy. I wanted to do a real red carpet look for the EMAs, but it’s MTV, so we’re not talking about a ballgown down to the floor. I wanted something that I could move in and still feel comfortable and sexy.
Photo: Michaela Quan8/16This was me after a very, very early morning. I don’t do coffee. Tea is the maximum amount of caffeine that I’ll have, too much and I get anxious. I had just performed a morning show, and that’s why I’m a little glammed up.
Photo: Michaela Quan9/16I don’t know if you can see it, but this shirt is made of hundreds of tiny beads. I absolutely love beading and pearls.
Photo: Michaela Quan10/16We’re at Sainsbury’s supermarket, and it’s so wild to me because I’m from Sweden, where the government controls liquor stores. They close at 6 p.m. and aren’t open on the weekends at all. Here you can walk into any supermarket and get alcohol! It’s wild. We wanted to celebrate after we got the news that Joe Biden won the presidential election in America. We had a little celebration in honor of that: a glass of champagne and a chill night.
This black Prada bag is one of my favorites. I know you’ve seen everyone wearing this bag, but it’s for a reason. It goes with everything, and I love the little chain. The whole outfit is quite simple. I’m just wearing jeans and a small white top, but the jacket makes it unique. I live in a freezing country so you wear jackets so often. I’m obsessed with them, and usually, they’re the statement piece in my outfits.
Photo: Michaela Quan11/16We stayed in an Airbnb, and it seems like the woman who lives there is very well-traveled! She had all kinds of sculptures, artifacts, and paintings from all over the world. This was her little shelf of objects. You can’t even see like a third of it in the picture but it, but it was nice to pose by. I love it when you visit a space that has a warmth or energy to it. It’s not just not four white walls and a bed in the middle. It feels lived in.
Photo: Michaela Quan12/16We booked our taxi specifically for Vogue! Usually, we’re going around in an Uber, but we wanted the classic London black cab because there is something special about them. Those drivers are just so lovely. They know every single little street and path. Their knowledge is insane!
Photo: Michaela Quan13/16There are so many parks and gardens here in London, which I love because even though it is a very dense city, they make sure that you’re always close to greenery. This is a big street that leads from the park to the place I was staying; it looks like I’m in the country here.
If you zoom in, you can see that the shoes are just comically long, and I love that.
Photo: Michaela Quan14/16Outside, this lovely turquoise wall with a few green things might be dying, but add to the photo. It was such a beautiful sunny day. I think Michaela shot these on film!
Photo: Michaela Quan15/16This is me on the last day of shooting all these pictures, and I’m saying goodbye. I’m in a rehearsal studio, we were rehearsing for a little performance of my new single which is going to be released later. This is usually what I wear on a chill off day. I love fun patterns. This Online Ceramics shirt is so cool and a little trippy; I love the brand.
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Photo: Michaela Quan16/16We’re on the plane and going back to Sweden, so these are the clouds from London to Stockholm.
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