& Other Stories - Lady is a Champ

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Our soundtrack for autumn consists of covers with a conscience, all courtesy of Sandra Andreis. For her debut EP Raising My Standards, Sandra has rewritten lines in five classic songs, including The Lady is a Tramp, with the intent to change their context and make these jazz standards empowering for women of today.

Together we’ve created a fashion story that revolves around Sandra’s message and how to take something you love and make it your own.

READ THE INTERVIEW

Tell us about yourself.
I’m a Swedish-born nomad, artist, actor and activist with a passion for equality. I try to stay true to myself and not play a part that society or someone else has given me according to my sex or any other reductive definition. Music has always played a parallel role in my life. My musical journey is a personal showdown against the repressive gender norms pervading so much of music.

For your debut EP Raising My Standards, you’ve picked five classic songs and transformed them into a modern-day context. What’s the message you want to convey with these new versions?
I hope my new recorded versions will make people more attentive to song lyrics and how they affect how we think and feel about ourselves. A lot of music reflects the norms of the era from when they were written. That doesn’t mean that you have to keep repeating the same old values when you sing and interpret them. It’s not about throwing these songs out. It’s about updating them and making them your own. No old school gender roles on repeat!

Lady is a Champ (your updated version of The Lady is a Tramp) makes such a strong impact. How would you describe a champ?
For me, a champ is someone who dares to be herself, who supports other women and stands up for what she loves.”

What role does fashion play in your life?
A major role. I dress according to mood, experiment with contrasts and have fun with it. To mix feminine and masculine elements is something I’ve always done. It goes along with the fact that gender norms are not relevant to me – being truthful to myself is.

Our new capsule collection is about contrasts and combining them in your own way, relating to your message of claiming space. Tell us more about how you found the power to do just that.
It happened over time because I’m curious. I’ve always gone my own way, but it wasn’t until I started observing myself more closely that I saw how often I made myself smaller to fit in. I didn’t think I did, but as a woman, you are conditioned to do it way more than what’s comfortable to admit. Every time I claim my own space, I step into my power. I highly recommend it.