Fresh off the November 23rd launch of her brand new album THE BLACK BOOK,  Jully Black is on top of her game, infinitely happy with where she is at and, of course, wild about fashion!

I had the good fortune of starting my day speaking with her about this third album, that gorgeous cover photo, and a great many other things.

 

WOMAN.ca: Watching you on eTalk, you seem to be in a good place right now - very open and happy so congrats! 

 

JULLY BLACK: Thank you. I am feeling very comfortable and at peace. Being a woman there are so many aspects of our lives that can cause us to be emotional and I'm embracing that instead of suppressing it - just letting it flow. It feels good...it's cleansing.

 

W: Welcome to your 30s I guess.

JB: Seriously. It's a beautiful thing...I was watching an interview with Janet Jackson and she said the 40s are the bomb, and I was like, Wow, can't wait!

 

W: What role does fashion have to play in your artistic expression?

JB: Well, it's like playing dress-up every day. What [I put on] reflects my mood...rock it how you want to rock it. I'm tall and curvy so being able to tie in fashion that fits my body type has really allowed me to be more confident with what God gave me. There are so many options out there now, and they're options that are reasonable. Before H&M and Zara it wasn't necessarily cool to 'dress for less.' There has been a shift. When I was in high school, the pressure was on...it was hard because you could separate who had what. It's nice that everyone can kind of blend in...it's awesome, I just love what is going on!

W: The front cover of album is gorgeous. Who shot it? 

JB: Ivan Otis. He is a rockstar photographer and a friend. He trusts my vision. My whole styling team has been with me for thirteen years so when I said I wanted body paint, they [responded with] 'we don't need nipplegate, so let's figure out how we are gonna do this.' 

I went online and researched and found inspiration with various classy images of women wearing body paint. Thank you, I'm glad you admired it.

 

W: It seems you are working with some of the best that Canada has to offer, and I'm told your relationship with Izzy Camilleri  is quite important to you.

JB: It's extremely important to me. She's been one of my she-roes since early days. Before Izzy I did not have access, or the opportunity, to wear Canadian designer clothing that was cut to my curves. She was the one who let me be her doll...[the relationship] totally helped my confidence. I love that woman!

 

W: Does she act as your personal stylist, or do you have someone else that you work with on a regular basis?

JB: Yes, Peter Papapetrou is my personal stylist. We met many many years ago...he's part of the original glam squad.  He fell in love with my music before he even knew me. It was through Papa that I met Izzy.

 

 

W: Are there other musicians who have a fashion sense you admire?

JB: I love Gwen Stefani... That she is actually involved in creating her line [L.A.M.B.] is amazing. Also love what Rihanna is doing. 

 

W: In the ever-colliding world of fashion and music, do you have any a aspirations to design?

JB: I do, I really do. Not sure what direction that will take yet but probably something with a lot of Lycra (laughs). We'll see, right now I'm really focused on the music.

There are so many wonderful designers in Canada that have been a part of my journey, so I'm excited about those [future] collaborations.

[Above: Jully walks the LG Fashion Week runway for Izzy Camilleri]

 

W: So where do you like to shop?

JB: I'm going to keep it real. I love Zara. Zara's representing right about now!

W: What's your current most-worn accessory?

JB: Well there are these red lightning bolt earrings that Emma, my stylist's assistant, found for two dollars at a vintage store. I feel like I'm a bolt when I wear them..it's so interesting how the smallest thing can give you the warmest feeling. I can wear those earrings and just some gloss and I'm good.

We'd have no idea how to [replicate] them so Papa is always reminding me to leave them at home because if they break, that's it!

W:  What's the next big event, and what are you going to wear?

JB: Well, the next big event is going to be my tour and Izzy is designing those outfits. We're on this real Grace Jones meets Jully [inspiration]. I researched and found I loved Tina Turner's Mad Max...the costume element of the live show has almost gone away and I want to bring that back. The Black Book has a theme, and the pending tour name is Black Magic, so I'm looking forward to Izzy designing those corsets and various pieces that will be very funky and fun.

 

W: How do you stay in shape?

JB: I'm looking at it right now (laughs)...egg whites, spinach, smoked salmon. I work out and try to have fun doing it. I have to work out to keep my mind and spirit right. A lot of people say, I'll do two hours of cardio and I'm good. But if your mind isn't into it, you're going to dread those two hours.

 

W: It's so much more than a physical work out, I agree with you.

JB: Absolutely. I don't like the word diet either. You are what you eat, you really are...but have fun. I still love my Doritos and all that good salty stuff, but I always  find 30 minutes a day. That's my golden rule - find 30 minutes and do something. Find things that motivate you. For me it's [watching] The Biggest Loser and seeing people at 472 pounds that are working hard to get it off, and maybe you only have five pounds to go. C'mon.

 

W: Any fashion web sites you check out? You mentioned you were researching for the album cover look.

JB: Not really. This is where Papa comes in...I trust my stylist completely.

When I was researching, I took the icons that I admire and went back to their pivotal moments of change...like when Madonna put the braids in her hair and the gold tooth on. I even went back to the Beatles and looked at their black and white covers.

 

W: Who is in Jully’s fashion Black Book? 

Izzy, of course.

The boys at Greta Constantine.

Wayne Clark.

Evan Biddell - he designed and made a cloak for my video in one day!

Thien Le.

Andy The-Ahn.

Authur Mendonca - he's not designing anymore, but I have some pieces of his that are just so classic.

 

W: Favourite person to follow on Twitter?

JB: I'm gonna say Lainey. Love Lainey! She's good people. It's a blessing to know her as a person. She keeps it real, she's self-made, and she has built her brand. I admire that.

W: In the press release for your latest album you say, It’s Dance, it’s Urban, It’s Rock, it’s DURBAN ROCK! So what is the DURBAN look?

JB: The hair is a big part of the look. It's bold and I've gone back to black.  Jackets, tights,  boots, some leather...I may still rock a dress. The DURBAN look is really about how I'm feeling. It's in the eyes, in the poise and the confidence.

Shoulders back ladies! It's time to start being aware of our strengths. I try my best to lead by example.

 

And it's not a stretch to say her example is set in her music. Jully strongly feels that  THE BLACK BOOK is going to pleasantly  surprise her fans! Songs like "Running" will leave you feeling liberated. "The Plan" will mend your wounded heart. "Recalculate" will help you let it go, and "Glass Ceiling" will inspire you to accomplish whatever your aspirations may be. 

She's ready to expose the side you won’t see on TV, but rather the side of her that has overcome challenges  to expand as a writer, an artist, a producer and a performer. 

You can see Jully Black perform for free on Saturday, December 5th at Nathan Phillips Square at 7pm. The February 2010 tour dates will be announced in January. 

 

[Album art and other images courtesy of Universal Music]

 

By Sara Graham