Londe : Blending cinematic Pop and fashion

Originally from Saverne, Elsa Criqui — known by her stage name Londe — is a multifaceted artist. A singer, songwriter, composer, and photographer, she has combined her passions to create a unique artistic universe.

Now, at 28, Londe stands out as a rising figure in the French artistic scene, effortlessly blending mesmerizing melodies with captivating visuals. After earning a Master’s degree in Strategic and Operational Marketing from the Strasbourg School of Management in 2020, Elsa decided to fully dedicate herself to her artistic projects. Her journey has been marked by success, including a notable appearance on The Voice in March 2025. At the same time, she developed a career as an independent photographer, capturing moments with the same emotional depth that infuses her music.

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I: How would you describe your musical and fashion style in a few words? Has the way you dress evolved alongside your music ?

I started the Londe project doing RnB in English, and about a year ago I shifted toward cinematic pop in French. As for my clothing style, I’d say it evolved along with my music — I went from a pretty sexy, sensual RnB look to more of a vintage officewear vibe with a punk touch.

I: Is there an outfit or accessory that’s become iconic for you on stage ?

It’s always been the shoes — they’re really symbolic for me. When I started the Londe project, I always wore huge white lace-up boots. They were kind of my signature in Instagram photos and on stage. They weren’t trendy at the time, but they became fashionable later. For a while I went with these super chunky red platform shoes, very Lolita, vintage, almost space age. Now that I’m going for a more badass rock style, I’ve moved to big punk-ish leather shoes. I also love cowboy boots — they’re super stylish.

I: Which artists (musicians or not) inspire you in terms of style ?

Yseult. I love what she does — she has such an eclectic vibe that changes a lot, both in her music, which can go from rock to classical, and in her aesthetic. To be honest, my influences are always changing. I was really into Lana Del Rey for a while — her music and her look. They always shift based on my emotions, so it’s very fluid.

I: How do you choose your concert outfits? Do you prioritize aesthetics or comfort ?

At first, I went all-in for comfort. One time I tried to focus purely on aesthetics, and I don’t think I’ll ever do that again. I move around a lot on stage — raise my arms, lean forward — and I had this super stiff blazer on that I could barely move in. It didn’t restrict my breathing, but it was annoying. So now I try to balance both — it has to look good and feel good, otherwise I just can’t perform the way I want to.

I: Do you use fashion as a form of expression beyond your music ?

I studied communications — image is literally my field, so I know how important it is. For me, it’s essential. It’s really part of the character I play on stage — Londe — and I love it because I’m passionate about fashion and working on visuals. It’s a game for me. On stage, it’s honestly my favorite part. I don’t set limits — I can flirt with the audience. No boundaries, I fully play the part.

I: In your opinion, can fashion carry a political or feminist message in the music industry ?

Absolutely! It’s used a lot for that. One thing that really struck me in the 2010s was Lady Gaga showing up at a music event in a meat dress. At the time, I didn’t understand why she would wear something like that. Eventually, I found out she was protesting the treatment of LGBTQIA+ soldiers in the U.S. military — how they had to hide their sexuality. There are other examples too, like Billie Eilish, who criticized the sexualization of women and herself by wearing super baggy clothes, then later chose more fitted, feminine outfits to reclaim that decision — to be seen for her music and talent, not her body.

I: What do you think about the aesthetic pressure in the music industry ? Do you feel specific expectations about your image ?

The pressure is real, and it’s huge! One example that comes to mind is Hoshi. She was viciously attacked on social media and a TV set where a guest called her “scary” — it caused a major backlash. A lot of artists suffer because of how they look, especially when gaining weight or going through changes. These days, being an artist doesn’t necessarily mean just making music — you also have to be a product, selling not just your sound but your personality and look, like it’s all part of one inseparable package. Visuals are super important, and that’s what most record labels — big or small — focus on. For my Londe project, I’ve put a lot of work into the image. I’ve really enjoyed doing that, but yeah, I’ve felt the pressure. I know my friends would say, “We love coming to your shows because we never know what you’re going to look like — what you’ll wear — and that excites us.” The outfit, the visual, is really part of the musical experience.

I: If you had to associate your music with a designer or a brand, who would you choose and why ?

I have a pretty unique style… I either dress super vintage or in very officewear looks that could pass as high fashion — even though I don’t actually own designer pieces. So, two brands that really inspire me and reflect these two worlds are Materiel — I love it for the textures. I’m obsessed with leather, oversized blazers, high-quality materials and finishes. That’s why I thrift so much — I find amazing fabrics and tailoring for low prices. I’ve even come across some designer pieces! For my more vintage everyday looks, the second brand would be Drôle de Monsieur. It’s super vintage, but it works so well! It’s kind of grandpa-chic, but I love that vibe.

I: If you had to choose one song that reflects your musical style or personality, what would it be ?

It’s very eclectic for me — even contradictory. I’d pick “Douce” by Clara Ysé. First, because I love the song, and second, because it talks about the contradictions between gentleness and fierceness. I see a bit of that in my clothing and musical style — I can be very sweet, and then I can switch to being a total “bitch” (reclaiming the word, like in the lyrics). By “bitch,” I mean sexy. I can go from super vintage to high heels and leather pieces that show a bit of skin. That song really represents me.