Muni Long Is an R&B-Pop Singer—and Fashion Plate—to Watch

Photo: Orin Fleurmont

Long and Rembert actually met 10 years ago, when she was still signed to Capitol and he styled her. She was instantly drawn to his perspective on fashion. “I loved the fact that he’s a Black man that’s working with Black artists [and designers],” she says. “I’m really big on giving opportunities to people who might not necessarily get them.” Rembert, meanwhile, was instantly on board with his challenge to create a fashion identity for Muni Long that reflects her strong personality. “Muni Long is badass and fearless” he says. “It’s been amazing watching her blossom and become this boss, this Superwoman.” Together, they shot two music videos together over the course of two days this summer, one called “Midnight Snack” and the other “Breakin Up.” Both videos feature fabulous fashion that celebrates her newfound confidence as an artist. 

Long’s first video, “Midnight Snack,” was released at the beginning of October. Rembert dressed in her striking pieces from Versace, Area, and Mugler, as well as pieces from emerging labels, such as a shapely white Robert Wun jacket with ruffles and puffed sleeves. A pair of Galliano boots were another favorite piece of Long’s from the video. “Those boots were actually on my wish list,” says Long. “I searched everywhere for them, but can’t buy them.” (Fun fact: the shoes were actually too small and Long had to be sewn into them. “That’s the commitment you want [as a stylist],” says Rembert.) Wearing and supporting smaller, niche brands is a big focus for Long. “I started making money off music when I was 22, so for the first five years, I was really into the things that I could never afford before—the Gucci, that Louis, the Chanel,” says Long. “Now, I’m like, ‘what’s the new shit that no one knows about?’” 

Her newer music video, titled “Breaking Up,” was released today, and goes even heavier on the statement fashion moments. In it, Long wears a ruffled, sequined dress from Rodarte’s recent spring 2020 collection, as well as silver bodysuit by Ritual Projects and pieces from Aliétte, Rembert’s own line. “We wanted to go a little more whimsical, and a little more aspirational,” says Rembert. The Rodarte, notably, is something that actually took a little bit of convincing. “I did not like it at first,” she says. “I was like, ‘I don’t know, Jason.’ I couldn’t even fit the shoes! They were like, three sizes too small. But it ended up being the best look.” Rembert adds of the spotlight-stealing look, “The Rodarte was very fashion-forward, with the [hair] braids, we brought it back to her culture and what she stands for. She’s very in-tune with that.”

In addition to the two new music videos, Long will be releasing some new “visuals,” also styled by Rembert, to go with each song off the EP. A title track from it, called “Black Like This,” celebrates Blackness. “People try to make you feel bad for being black, but being Black is awesome, actually,” says Long. Rembert says the fashion details in the visuals will echo the sentiment. For one look, Rembert traded in a pair of diamond chandelier earrings for a pair of bamboo door-knocker styles. “That’s a part of our culture,” says Rembert. “That’s something that a young, Black girl who’s 10-years-old in Florida can see themselves in. They can’t afford the diamond chandelier earrings—but they could afford the $2 doorknocker earrings from the beauty supply store.” Long’s fashion choices are not the only thing she hopes young, Black girls can relate to; her music in general is focused on uplifting and creating a community among young, Black creatives. And she’s excited for them all to meet her. “How you’re introduced to someone is the way they will remember you, unless you are re-introduced,” she says. “I’m in the re-introduction process.”