Growing up on the small Pacific island of Guam, Pia Mia never imagined that she would one day become a budding style icon, let alone be handpicked by Madonna as the first-ever fashion director of Her Madgesty’s Material Girl clothing line for Macy’s.
“I died [when I got the call]! I’m in music, so I’ve been watching all of Madonna’s music videos my whole life. And I’ve seen her documentary Truth or Dare a million times,” the 19-year-old singer told Us Weekly exclusively during a run-through of an upcoming Material Girl collection on June 15. “Just being inspired by her musically and then having her pick me as her first-ever fashion director, it’s like blowing my mind right now.”
Pia, equally known for her unique image as she is for her powerhouse vocals, dished to Us about the responsibilities bestowed upon her by the Queen of Pop.
“As the first fashion director, I’m basically putting my personal stamp on the clothes and looking at the line sheets and making the changes to pieces that have already been created before I got involved with the brand,” the style-minded musician explained of her exciting new role. “I’m choosing the photographers, the locations for the shoots, putting outfits together. I’m basically touching everything.”
Asked why Madonna, 57, trusted her to hand over creative control of the brand (which the music magnate launched in August 2010 with daughter Lourdes, 19), Pia pointed out that she and the superstar share a similar sartorial savvy.
“I think [Madonna’s] influenced my style just in the perspective of not caring what anyone else thinks,” the “Do It Again” songstress — whose wardrobe staples include bandannas, thigh-high boots, checkered flannels and diamond grills — told Us, “and wearing whatever makes you feel comfortable. I think we’re alike in that way.”
Aside from emulating Madonna’s fearless approach to fashion, Pia has made a concerted effort to follow in the “Express Yourself” hitmaker’s footsteps when it comes to maintaining authenticity as an artist.
“One of the things that I love most about Madonna is that in the Truth or Dare movie, when the [Toronto] police come backstage and they’re like, ‘You have to perform your show a different way because we’re in this certain place,’ and she is like, ‘No, this me as a person. I’m an artist and this is what I want to do. I’m not changing my show,’” the pop ingénue recalled in awe. “I thought that was so cool because I feel the same way. Because people are constantly trying to change who other people are, and it’s just like you have to stick to who you are and just do you.”
Although Pia hasn’t met the Material Girl herself in person yet (“I honestly don’t know what I would do!”), she’s already dreaming about collaborating with her in the recording studio … well, maybe. “That would be just like — oh, I’d pass out,” she joked. “I’d pass out in the booth!”
Until then, Pia is fully focused on making Madonna proud from afar. “I think it’s dope, just because I’ve loved Material Girl for so long,” she raved to Us. “And just to be able to work with one of my idols and a brand that I love is so perfect. I’m giving this my all.”
