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Laufey on jazz, Chanel and her roots: the Grammy-winning artist discusses her genre-bending music, the iconic fashion house's enduring influence, and her multicultural upbringing

Laufey on jazz, Chanel and her roots: the Grammy-winning artist discusses her genre-bending music, the iconic fashion house's enduring influence, and her multicultural upbringing

Icelandic-Chinese singer Laufey Lín Jónsdóttir, known as just Laufey, has built a loyal following thanks to her genre-bending music, which combines her first love, jazz, with pop and influences from classical music.
The 26-year-old's first album, 'Bewitched', broke the all-time record for the biggest debut for a jazz album on Spotify and won a Grammy in 2024 in the Traditional Pop Vocal Album category.
We caught up with the singer at the
Chanel haute couture autumn/winter 2025-26 show, which she attended with her twin sister.
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Laufey (left) with her twin sister Junia at the 18th annual Tribeca Artists Dinner hosted by Chanel in New York. Photo: AP
What's your first memory of Chanel?
Well, my mum and my popo (grandma) both love Chanel. So my first memory is probably when my mum got a black flap bag. And my popo had one as well. And I remember my mum and my grandma were like, 'one day these will be yours'. I have a twin sister, so they were like, 'you get one and the other gets the other'.
How has it been to work with the house?
It's so amazing. I really can't believe it. I still am very star-struck every time I get to come here. I remember the first time they reached out and I got to wear Chanel for a concert. I was so excited. I couldn't believe it. I kind of felt like I'd made it. It was really up there with the Grammy. And then I got to win a Grammy in Chanel. So it was all very perfect.
Laufey at the 66th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. She wore a Chanel dress for the event.
Is there anything you discovered about the maison that really surprised you?
I feel like I've learned so much about how much Chanel always goes back to the symbolism of the founder. I went and looked at the apartment and there were so many things to learn. Even down to the wheat [a Chanel symbol], the sofa and everything. And now I see it in everything. I think, as an artist, I so value and so respect how they stay true to their core values but still continue to innovate. That's exactly what I want to be as a musician as well – stay true to my root values, but innovate every time.
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