Tru Pierone On Shooting her ‘Cousins’ Campaign in Vintage
Photographed by Sivan Bogan
The Narrative Vintage: Tell us about your EP & what inspired you to create this project.
Tru Pierone: My EP ‘Cousins’ is a collection of four songs that explore identity. I was inspired to create this work because I am in a constant pattern of questioning who I am to the world, in relationships, with my friends, with my family, and so on. I wanted to explore those multifaceted “identities” through music. Musically, the songs exist in very different universes, and I did this very intentionally. In my view, the instrumental music responds to the lyrical storytelling, creating a sound world that matches the mood of my lyrics. I chose to title the EP ‘Cousins’ to convey the idea of being “related but different,” with my voice functioning as the musical matriarch tying these four songs together.
TNV: When creating ‘Cousins’ did you have a sense of the aesthetics and garments that could visually translate this body of work?
TP: When working with The Narrative, I remember emphasizing that I cared a lot about color and wanted pieces that made a statement. I think, because this was my debut EP, I wanted to wear something that caught the eye and took a risk. In my daily life, I love color, and I wanted it to be part of the visual for the EP. I also felt really drawn to a 1920s/1980s styling aesthetic. There is a certain amount of sophistication and fearlessness that those eras embody, which I really wanted to be part of the visual storytelling for the EP.
TNV: What do you want the visuals you created for this EP to represent for you in 20 years?
TP: These visuals will represent something very meaningful to me, as this project is the first concrete investment I’ve made in myself as an artist. Twenty years from now, I think I’ll look back and think: “Wow, you were living in New York, being creative with your friends, and you are sharing your art shamelessly. How fucking cool, Tru.”
TNV: What drew you to the vintage pieces you selected in this shoot? Did they evoke certain emotions for you and/or emotions you wanted to portray to your audience?
TP: I was drawn to movement and color when selecting the vintage pieces for the shoot. There was the most amazing red coat that immediately caught my eye when I was looking at The Narrative archive, and I thought: “I neeeeeed that.” I was also drawn to the pieces that felt like they had a personality of their own and were slightly atypical. The “atypical” thing really weaves back into my whole “related, but different” idea that is integral to the EP’s messaging.
TNV: Can you tell us about the most treasured vintage pieces in your wardrobe? Is there a story there? How and where did the stars align?
TP: My most cherished vintage pieces come from my great-grandmother. Most of what I have from her dates to the 60s, and of course, those pieces are all the more important to me because they come from her. Growing up, I would always wander through her closets, hunting for something new to try on. While I have some of her fur-collared coats, vintage luggage, and beautiful sundresses, I think the item I cherish most is the gold ring she would wear every day. In my eyes, this ring was such a fixture to her identity. When I wear it, I feel like I can see her hands in mine, her red painted nails, and feel her warmth and wisdom. Another treasured piece is my vintage pleated mohair coat from Sears. I found it at the General Store in Dumbo during the first few months of living here in 2022. The coat symbolizes a new chapter beginning, moving to a new place, and embracing my independence.
Want to create your own visual story with pieces rich in history? Drop us a line and inquire about rental program.