Mia Moretti talks Coachella debut, the relationship between fashion and music

Politeness

Mia Moretti has been coming to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival for 15 years, spinning hits at side events, pool parties, after-parties and more. But 2024 is the year she created the soundtrack on the festival grounds on the DoLab stage on April 14, closing out the first weekend of Coachella before closing on April 21.

With years of experience behind her, Moretti said she came prepared with a look that was well-equipped for the elements.

“I know exactly what I need for the desert, and the wind can sometimes be very strong at night – and it can get very dusty, which can leave you covered in dust or getting dust in your eyes or sunscreen in your eyes ,” Moretti told WWD. “These little things are just things that come with erasing a few years. So I think my style should be very, very easy. But it is also not too serious and not too staged or planned. But still fun.”

Moretti opted for a sheer brown monogram top from Balmain, blue checked Ottolinger trousers, white Desigual sneakers and red Celine sunglasses.

She describes the relationship between fashion and music as ‘codependent’; for her, it can keep an audience in sync with an artist’s mood.

“On stage we are watching, so you can’t not see what someone is wearing. It affects the whole show, and it completely affects how the artist performs, because you can tell when an artist feels uncomfortable in what he’s wearing, or when he feels great in what he’s wearing, and luckily most of time, that really only helps to bring out the best possible performance.

Moretti has also dialed back her glamor – a big departure from the many cocktail parties she attends as a DJ, such as at the WIF Max Mara Face of the Future Award event in LA last November, or DJing at the opening of Banana Republic’s BR. Home furnishings store on Melrose Avenue.

“I come from the world of playing so many fashion events, especially the fast-fashion after-parties, and I always had full hair and makeup because it was just part of the routine,” Moretti said. “And now I’m embracing making music, releasing my own music and playing new shows. Normally there’s not always that many photographers around and there’s no carpet and stuff like that where you have to worry about looking perfect, especially here at Coachella.”

“Everyone is just having a good time, less is more here,” Moretti added.

They had a nice time indeed. Moretti was joined by her longtime friend Katy Perry, who was dressed in a Moretti brand concert T-shirt that was decorated with a figure of a woman wearing a bikini with slices of pepperoni pizza. “I made merchandise for the first time ever – I had to because it was such a momentous occasion for me,” Moretti said. “I made a bikini T-shirt. Those bikini T-shirts you buy like on Venice Beach, California. It’s like a hot body. I gave her huge t–s because I’ve never had them before.

Although the locations change as Moretti explores creating her own music, most recently an EP with DJ Minx, her goals remain the same.

“For many people, my job is to make people forget about their day, regardless of their work, their family, their stress, and just have a good time. Sometimes those are big shoes to fill,” Moretti explains. “If you’re in trouble or having a bad day… let’s dust off whatever was left hanging and let’s start over here. We’re at the party now and things that bring energy and spread that.