Ascending the Fashion Throne
By Brianna Melanson
Poland native, Marta Olejarz, is a young rising pop country singer with an eye for fashion. Her first album, “The Story” (2017), was recorded at Blackbird Studios in Nashville where all your favorite country artists from Carrie Underwood to Taylor Swift have been recorded. Both songs “I Need a Love Story” and her debut single “All About Us” have millions of views on YouTube and are used in levels of the popular mobile game Dancing Line where you tap to the lyrics of the songs. In Marta’s music writing process, the photoshoots and music video ideas are already dancing in her head. In the music videos of those two songs, you can witness Marta’s flawless 90s-meets-bohemian style. This album has been the gateway she needed to use her fashion skills in distinguished and professional circumstances.
Anna Wintour's unapologetic style, Audrey Hepburn’s class, and Karl Lagerfeld’s trendy innovativeness helped devise Marta’s personal fashion style. She’ll extract ideas from celebrity performance outfits as well. However, her mother’s Coco Chanel inspired wardrobe impacted her most. Shopping with her mom was always a special occasion and even though they couldn’t afford designer brands, they found elegant pieces that could pass as designer. She felt her mother’s strength and positive energy when she saw her wear black and white “Chanel” ensembles for work. Thanks to Marta’s parents giving her the encouragement and freedom to experiment with her garments as she was growing up, she’s established a style that makes her confident to perform.
To this day she finds herself bedazzling outfits or find new ways to arrange the clothing to make different looks. In concerts, Marta will be wearing her own designs that will move with her to enhance her performance. Knowing that she built both the music and her clothing makes her believe that she is capable of anything and heightens her enthusiasm on stage. Furry jackets are her favorite statement piece and she rocks a pink one in a scene in “All About Us.” For fall, she’ll pair an oversized sweater with biker shorts, tights, and Frye boots. She is loving mustard yellow, burgundy, and navy hues, but wears grey and purple the most often.
Marta styled the intricate “I Need a Love Story” video from start to finish and hand picked all of the costumes. One of the beautiful dresses in the video was an old prom gown that she repurposed. This project had been really close to Marta’s heart and was chosen to be presented at the renowned Berlin Fashion Film Festival in July. Marta explains, “It took about four months of pure research, pulling inspiration from different pop culture elements, history, reading up and digging deeper into medieval and renaissance fashions, contacting designers, searching couture options, getting orders from India, and sewing and tweaking the clothes.”
The hit TV shows “Game of Thrones” and “Reign” were a huge inspiration for the costumes in this video. She wanted to “build a universe” where the video would match the shows’ vibes and lighting. For instance, in “Game of Thrones,” members of the House Mertyns have an owl on their coat of arms. Marta stands like royalty in an embroidered forest green cape dress, much like Daenery would wear, with a majestic owl perched on her arm.
This video incorporates symbolism and gorgeous artistry that sets it apart from other country music videos of today. The majority of the video is set in a sophisticated, elegant cathedral. The song is about love and cathedrals are a traditional place to be wed. The cathedral is also very reminiscent of a castle much like you would see in “Reign.” In comparison to the fun “All About Us” video, there is a serious tone. The pace of the filming reflects her soothing voice and the calming surroundings. It allows you to take in all the breathtaking details of the costumes and architecture.
Marta also makes an unique appearance with a reindeer in the video as she wears her white lace gown. Reindeer are her favorite animal in which she wishes she could own. The reindeer, Oscar, was suggested by the cathedral who knew a reindeer farmer, so she knew it was meant to be. Reindeer can endure harsh and cold surroundings making them a strong and brave animal much like a person surviving through a tough breakup. The phrase “everything happens for a reason” is projected at the end of the video signifying that she accepts the heartbreak and knows she will be okay. This phrase was also verbalized by her in the beginning of the “All About Us” video, so we know it’s something she truly believes in that may be repeated in future videos. Strength is a common theme for Marta in her music and fashion work, passed down from her mother and the other fashion inspirations.
Marta in constantly researching and brainstorming for her next fashion projects that complement her music. The world will get to see more of Marta’s designs in her next music video “New Heroes” as well as her own merchandise line. This young fashionista deserves all the praise she has been receiving in as little as a year. Marta is a star that young country music fans will look to for fashion advice. She prompts, “Keep in mind when you are getting dressed in the morning that fashion is a form of art. Whatever your shape, size, age or anything else, it should be a fun way to express yourself.”
