You heard it here first, folks! The Salt Ashes Too Many Times outfit is by LULA LAORA. It’s our Mademoiselle top and Tourterelle Skirt, both in pink from our Opium & Turtledoves collection for SS21. The pieces can be worn as separates - or together as a statement look. We love that Salt Ashes wore the two together, dressed up like a doll in the opening sequence mimicking a play-toy. The instrumentation draws inspiration from music jewellery boxes with a ballerina spinning inside. 

Let’s learn more about salt ashes! 

WHO IS SALT ASHES? 

Singer Veiga Sanchez is a London-based alt-pop artist who goes by Salt Ashes on stage. Half-Spanish, half-Mauritian and rumoured to live off peanut butter. The singer-songwriter has been creating a name for herself in the electronic and dance community with her singles Somebody, If You Let Me Go and many more. For the latter, she won an MTV IGGY’s Artist of the week. She released Raided in 2015 and made the playlist on BBC Radio 1Xtra. 

Her signature dark songs and melodies are influenced by Giorgio Mordor’s disco and dark atmosphere. Her latest EP Counting Crosses is her most dynamic collection, using her unique synth-pop to take her music to the next level. If you haven't checked it out yet, I highly suggest that you do. I for one, always look to add music to my monthly self-curated Spotify Playlist. 

WHAT IS ON HER SPOTIFY PLAYLIST?

As the youngest of three, she consumed music that her brother and sister listened to. They listened to Nirvana, Lauryn Hill, TLC, Oasis, Tracy Chapman. It's safe to say that's what's most likely on her Spotify playlist,  and that is one I'd like to subscribe to. 

That mixed with the radio and some of her mum’s favourite Spanish classics filled the house. It's impossible to not be influenced by your parents' tastes in music - and weirdly enough decor. Anyone with me there?

Granted, Sanchez also draws inspiration from musicians, not only her family members. The songwriter draws inspiration from Madonna, Kate Bush, Daft Punk, Depeche Mode and MIA. As such, it comes as no surprise that she's opened for artists such as Tiffany, Alphabet, Say, Lou Lou, Tove Styrke, Light Bright Light, FEMME, NIMMO and Little Boots. 

WHAT IS HER RELATIONSHIP WITH SELF-DOUBT 

Self-doubt is a funny thing, you'd assume that someone who has success wakes up without self-doubt. But I guess that's not the case at all. 

“The older I get the more confident I feel within myself which reflects in my songwriting. I care less about what people might think or if people will like it and I just write what I want to express. Those self-doubt thoughts still pop up now and then but much less now which accelerates the writing process. Fear hinders everything. I’m not afraid to say what I’m thinking or feeling anymore. ”

SHE HAS THIS TO SAY ON PERFECTIONISM 

"I still want my work to be perfect, but I’m learning that there’s beauty in imperfections and to let go of more things now.”

HOW DID SHE CHOOSE HER NAME?

She saw the words Salt Ashes scratched on the side of a small boat in Brighton. Initially, she intended to use the name for a song, but one thing led to another, so it became her name. 

HOW DID SHE COPE WITH LOCKDOWN?

“Generally, it’s been pretty freeing to have so much time to think about what’s important to me, social causes, personal relationships, values etc which later, inevitably, will affect my songwriting."

Salt Ashes wrote the hit with producer Louis Souyave. The song is about "those crappy moments when you feel helpless and lost in the maze inside your head". Written during the COVID-19 pandemic, they were both going through trauma with close friends dying and family friction.  

BEHIND THE LYRICS: TOO MANY TIMES. 

Too Many Times is an introspective track co-written and produced by Louis Souyave. The producer was also a collaborator in the song Cut You With A Kiss. The two drew inspiration from Yazoo's international hit Only You. 

Dressed up as a toy ballerina in Salt Ashes Too Many Times outfit in the opening of the video, she explains that: 

“When I was little, I used to imagine those ballerinas had real people stuck inside of them, which got me thinking that that’s what I feel when I’m suffering from intense anxiety… like I’m trapped inside my head and can’t get out. The reality is that it’s only me that’s trapping myself!”

Salt Ashes created the song for those suffering from anxiety and self-doubt. So, everyone apart from Kanye West and Elon Musk. And it's those two demons that have held her confidence back personally and professionally - until now. The song did wonders for her mental health, and maybe it can help you as well! We loved the song and Salt Ashes Too Many Times outfit - as an impartial party, of course. 

Salt Ashes Too Many Times Outfit: HOW TO WEAR THE TOURTERELLE SKIRT

Moving onto her outfit! We have a couple of different versions of the pink tourterelle skirt. When in doubt, wear yours with a tucked-in tee and sneakers for a relaxed look. Another option is to add a bustier crop top with a pair of heels. Because you can never go wrong with a crop top. Especially not during a UK heatwave. 

Salt Ashes Too Many Times Outfit: HOW TO WEAR THE MADEMOISELLE TOP 

On to the top! Pair the mademoiselle top with a pair of blue denim jeans and slide shoes. This is a great piece to wear if you're doing on a date - be it with yourself, a current or a potential new partner. 

You can also dress the skirt up like Harry Styles would, with a pair of dock Martens and a knit. 

Otherwise, you can wear the two together like Salt Ashes - sans the wig unless you're into that. In which case you go Glenn Coco.