EXCLUSIVE: “This collection gives us every opportunity to be as powerful and sensual as we desire.” Shygirl on becoming Mugler H&M’s muse.

What do Casey Cadwallader and Shygirl have in common? They both share the same unstoppable passion for music, and the storytelling that comes along with it. When H&M announced their latest collaborator in the face of Mugler, the palpable excitement was met with hints of curiosity, as creative director Casey Cadwallader is known for creating music spectacles on his runways, alongside house codes that have become synonymous with performance, bringing the Mugler vision onto the stages of the biggest pop stars - think Dua Lipa, Beyonce, Miley Cyrus and his newest muse, Shygirl.

After a whirlwind beginning of 2023, Shygirl has become an enchantress of dance, hip-hop, bringing experimental elements of British grime, carving a sound that is instantly recognisable. Fresh from debuting her newest single Woe, brilliantly remixed with the help of none other than Björk, and in the middle of her North American tour, the British artist is one of the main faces behind the biggest collaboration of the year. Debuting in the music video for the Mugler H&M campaign in true Mugler fashion, Shygirl, EARTHEATER, Arca and Amaarae have come together to remake their own track, inspired by Stardust’s Music Sounds Better With You, and debut the collection in a seriously fierce and camp music video that makes you want to stomp the runway.

Chatting exclusively with Perfect, Issue Three cover star Shygirl divulges into her favourite parts of creating the campaign, and specifically how fashion connects her musical process of creation.

Angel: You have always expressed how close you see fashion to music, how did your relationship as an artist with fashion start?

Shygirl: Naturally when working in an industry with visual consumption, fashion becomes a part of that expression. I’ve always been drawn to other creatives who are able to world-build and transport me from my reality and I think there are elements in fashion that do that incredibly well. I use the clothes I wear to elevate the impression I’m trying to leave - whether that is amplifying the sentiment of my music or juxtaposing stereotypes. As a performer the costume we wear definitely affects the desired impression left with the audience.

Angel: You have a very defined sense of personal style, what would you say is the key component when picking out fashion for your performances?

Shygirl: Truly I’m driven by my mood, I like to be comfortable and sensual, tactile and effortless.

Angel: Being able to collaborate with Casey Cadwallader and Mugler on this campaign, what did you enjoy most with working with him?

Shygirl: I love Casey’s energy, his excitement bringing everything together and also just how daring his vision is. To some I think it seems Casey takes risks but I think they’re hardly risks to him as he seems so sure of his direction. I love working with people who truly see me or at least show me a version of myself I can enjoy, Casey never fails to do that.

Angel: How does fashion fit into the process of making music nowadays? How do you execute your creative vision for your musical direction?

Shygirl: I love having an idea and researching how i can connect my objective with others - finding designers and brands who already lend themselves to my perceived vision is thrilling, it feels affirming to find other people also seeking the same things as me and I love bringing them more into my world.

Angel: What are your favourite pieces from the Mugler H&M collection , how would you describe the collection in one sentence?

Shygirl: This collection gives us every opportunity to be as powerful and sensual as we desire. My favorite pieces are the lime skirt and electric blue mini dress; black tailored bustier and long sexy gloves, and I also love the black dress with exaggerated hips.