For obvious reasons, this holiday season will be different to any we’ve experienced before. At a time where there are very few chances to truly celebrate, it’s important to take any opportunity we can to indulge in having a good time. This is what led YOOX, the world’s leading online store for fashion, design and art, to launch ‘HOLIDAY BEATS — NOT UR CONVENTIONAL MUSIC SHOW’, a project that champions innovation and inclusivity, bringing together three leading artists from Italy and the UK, between 3-15 December.
So who are they? There’s MTV European Music Award winner Mahmood, the brightest star of the Italian pop scene; Nico Vascellari, a globally celebrated visual artist admired by the likes of Marina Abramovic; and Stefflon Don, a staple presence on the charts worldwide, who’s collaborated with Future, Skepta and Halsey.
YOOX presents three exclusive videos of these artists in conversation with i-D Italy’s Editor at Large and Creative Director, Gloria Maria Cappelletti. Together, they’ll discuss their shared passion for creativity and community — conversations which will be expanded on in features with each artist on i-D.
Stefflon Don, Mahmood and Nico Vascellari have also created exclusive artworks to be included in a limited edition capsule collection for the holiday season, which will be available exclusively through YOOX. These artworks will be unveiled by the artists during their talks, and then screen-printed onto organic cotton hoodies and long-sleeve T-shirts.
Each artist has also chosen a charity to which a percentage of the profits from their artworks will be donated to. Mahmood has chosen to support Moige, the Italian Parents Movement; Nico has opted for Fondo Forestale Italiano, a charity supporting the protection of biodiversity, and Stefflon Don has selected I Heart Africa, a holistic self-sustainable development charity, that aims to support men, women and children across the continent.
Mahmood underlined the importance of his involvement in the project, saying: “Anything that allows me to share myself beyond music becomes another way of expressing myself, even more if done for a charity.”
Vascellari views his participation from another perspective; one which encompasses his entire creative history: “My work as an artist has always been inspired by collaborations that aim to make direct contact with a wider and more diverse audience than the one who generally visits museums," he said. In that respect, his link-up with YOOX is a perfect fit.
Stay tuned to i-D for updates on the HOLIDAY BEATS project, which will be featured on YOOX from 3 December.
- Views expressed are those of the featured artists and not of i-D Magazine.