Esperanza Spalding Talks Jazz, Hair & Eco-Fashion in S Moda Magazine

Esperanza Spalding S Moda Magazine Cover

Esperanza Spalding on the cover of S Moda Magazine November 2012

Not only is Esperanza Spalding incredibly talented, but those who have followed the Grammy award-winning jazz musician for many years admire her natural beauty as well.

We get to see her in all of her aesthetic glory in the November 2012 issue of Spain’s S Moda Magazine , where she talks about her music, growing up in Portland, Oregon’s ghetto, her powerful image, loving eco-friendly fashion and much more.

Esperanza Spalding S Moda Magazine by Álvaro Beamud Cortés

Esperanza Spalding in Juan Vidal dress and Lanvin elephant necklace S Moda Magazine by Álvaro Beamud Cortés

For the cover shoot, photographed by Álvaro Cortés Beamud , Esperanza her flaunts her gorgeous afro and admits, “I do not comb my hair in a special way; it’s in its natural state.”

At her request, she’s styled in sustainable pieces from Juan Vidal, Nacho Aguayo, Lanvin, Marni , and Isabel Marant — to name a few.

“We live in a visual world. A dictatorship of attraction… My intention is to create art. But my image helps.”

Famously snatching the Best New Artist Grammy from Justin Bieber in 2011, Esperanza went on to release her fourth studio album, Radio Music Society on March 20, 2012. The album peaked at #10 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, #1 on the Top Jazz Albums chart, #4 on the Tastemakers chart and #9 on Digital Albums .

We’re definitely looking forward to what she has in store for 2013. Read the full S Moda interview here and enjoy photos from the photoshoot below.

Esperanza Spalding S Moda Magazine by Álvaro Beamud Cortés

Esperanza Spalding in Juan Vidal dress and Hélène Zubeldia earrings for S Moda Magazine by Álvaro Beamud Cortés

Esperanza Spalding S Moda Magazine by Álvaro Beamud Cortés

Esperanza Spalding in Nacho Aguayo dress, Lanvin necklace and Isabel Marant ring for S Moda Magazine by Álvaro Beamud Cortés

Esperanza Spalding S Moda Magazine by Álvaro Beamud Cortés

Esperanza Spalding in cotton Ana Locking dress and belt for S Moda Magazine by Álvaro Beamud Cortés

Esperanza Spalding S Moda Magazine by Álvaro Beamud Cortés

Esperanza Spalding in silk L.J. Lambillott dress, recycled PVC Marni necklace, and bracelets by Isabelle Michel and Hélène Zubeldia for S Moda Magazine by Álvaro Beamud Cortés

Esperanza Spalding S Moda Magazine by Álvaro Beamud Cortés

Esperanza Spalding in Miguel Palacio dress, Salvatore Ferragamo sandals, and Hélène Zubeldia earrings for S Moda Magazine by Álvaro Beamud Cortés

Watch: Esperanza Spalding – “Black Gold” Official Video

About the author  ⁄ theComplex

Editor-in-Chief at Sinuous Magazine, designer, and founder of NYC-based boutique design firm theComplex Media & Design. I've been designing for 13 years, writing on the internet for about the same, and I appear on radio and podcasts under the name "Lanae Mc'Levans." Photographer and overall geek who is passionate about art, music, politics, technology, fashion, and women's issues. A serial day-dreamer. Foul-mouthed. Opinionated.