Vuyokazi Mtukela. Photo Courtesy of Calvin Klein.
Blurring the boundaries between creative disciplines, Calvin Klein has collaborated with music journal Wax Poetics to create Plugged In, a project celebrating emerging writers in music journalism who are shaping the contemporary music landscape of today. Plugged In provided its winners with educational resources, expert mentorship and paid commissions in order to elevate the voices of the next generation of journalists. This collaboration portrays Calvin Klein’s continuous celebration and exploration of self-expression through means beyond clothing.
Amelia Fearon. Photo Courtesy of Calvin Klein.
Selected from over 100 applicants, Amelia Fearon, Vuyokazi Mtukela, Maeve Hannigan and Violeta Arango are the next generation of music writers who are bringing an individual and personal perspective to music journalism. Drawing upon their diverse backgrounds, each of these four women are shining a light upon the sounds of the future, through their own cultural identities and sense of self. Amelia chose to write about the rich and eclectic post-punk music scene of 1980s Manchester, the city in which she lives; Maeve offers an insight into the emerging jazz scene in Glasgow; Violeta, inspired by her Colombian heritage, explores the Latin influences that are infusing London’s music scene; Vuyokazi discusses the diaspora experience through the story of South African singer and civil rights activist Miriam Makeba, who was forced into exile for three decades.
Violeta Arango. Photo Courtesy of Calvin Klein.
On the partnership Brian DiGenti, Editor-in-Chief of Wax Poetics, said: “Since our relaunch we have set out to give as much support to younger writers and content creators as we can. Calvin Klein has been an amazing partner in helping bring this to life. We have been overwhelmed by the quality and energy that the applicants and winners have brought, and we can’t wait to see what the future brings for them.”
Maeve Hannigan. Photo Courtesy of Calvin Klein.
Each of the young writer’s stories, along with a video portrait, can be found on both Calvin Klein and Wax Poetics.