THE MASKED JOURNEY OF M¥SS KETA | l VIAGGIO MASCHERATO DI M¥SS KETABy: Maryam Ashmawy From the heart of Milan, let us take you deep down into a world of glamour and vibrancy… the world of the legendary queer singer, The M¥SS KETA. She took the Italian music scene by storm, serving it all as the book says, Charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent! But behind the iconic masks and captivating style, lies a tale of an untamed spirit. That’s what Iconiqa is here to serve you! M¥SS KETA invites you to an exclusive sneak peek into her early days in the music industry, childhood memories, and how did she make her way to becoming the influential queer figure that she is today. Total look: Lorenzo Seghezzi MILANO: A Creatives Battlefield Growing amidst creatives, in the fashion capital of Italy, Milano, the dynamic of this city was like a fertile soil to a seed of a destined star and an inimitable persona, this’s where M¥SS KETA was born and this’s where she came to blossom. “MILAN WAS FUNDAMENTAL IN M¥SS KETA’S FIRST STEPS IN THE MUSIC SCENE. IN 2013 MILAN WAS ABOUT TO START A BIG TRANSFORMATION DUE TO EXPO2015 AND THE UNDERGROUND ART SCENE WAS ELECTRICAL. PEOPLE WAS WILLING TO CREATE IN AN ATMOSPHERE THAT MIXED THE OLD STYLE MILAN WITH THE FEELING OF A NEW COMING METROPOLIS. IT WAS THE PERFECT PLACE FOR A PROJECT LIKE M¥SS, VERY ITALIAN BUT WITH A STRONG INTERNATIONAL VIBE.” EXTRAVAGANZA, MASKS AND SUNGLASSES More than a mere fabrics manipulation to impress, Fashion is the most powerful tool to sculpt a unique identity; it’s a form of a fearless individuality and self-expression. Indeed, the Italian icon understood that power, therefore, Fashion played a BIG role in the development of M¥SS KETA, her artistic freedom and self-expression. She came to be much known for her extravagant style and more over her iconic Masks. But behind that there’s significance… we asked her, and she uncovered, harnessing the words of Oscar Wilde “GIVE HIM A MASK, AND HE WILL TELL YOU THE TRUTH.” SAID OSCAR WILDE. "THE MASK I USE ON STAGE IS AN EMPOWERING TOOL FOR ME - IT PUTS ME IN AN INSTINCTIVE MOOD, IN A WAY THAT IS NOT MEDIATED BY THE CONSCIOUS: THAT’S WHAT I LOVE ABOUT WEARING MY MASK. MOREOVER, NOT HAVING A ‘FACE’ PERMITS YOU TO PLAY A LOT WITH FASHION, ALSO BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO TRANSMIT EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO TELL WITH YOUR BODY LANGUAGE AND CLOTHES.” THE MEMORIES : The Future What we spend our most times doing goes directly to rest in our heads, and as time passes, it turns into memories… and memories, influence and shape our future more than we tend to think! “I REMEMBER WATCHING ALL THESE ITALIAN TV SHOWS FOR DAYS WITHOUT SLEEPING:RAFFAELLA CARRÀ, “NON È LA RAI”, DRIVE IN. ITALIAN TV AESTHETIC HAS BEEN VERYINSPIRATIONAL FOR ME.” Said M¥SS KETA when she was asked about her childhood. She also mentioned to us some …