C41 and PAURA combine their aesthetic signatures characterised by the passion for utility, durability, and simplicity. After a long day at work, people express their individuality through diverse clothing choices, reflecting personal preferences, cultural influences, and social trends. As workwear found its fertile ground in street culture, the idea behind the total look presented by C41 and PAURA is inspired by the late-night shift that proceeds till the early hours of the morning.

It’s a Wrap total look is worn by Fatima Koanda. She is an Italian DJ born in Bergamo to parents from Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast. In her sessions she bounces in between techno, groovy house, electro, and some Afro-tribe influences, this makes her a versatile music selector.

Ilaria Sponda: Fatima, tell me about your sessions, spanning from Techno to Groovy House, from electro to some Afro tribe vibes.

Fatima Koanda: I love to move between different genres of music during my sessions, as I do a lot of research to adapt to the different contexts I play at, from club nights to location parties, brand events, etc. Initially, I wanted to focus mainly on Techno music, which I like a lot, especially because I have been to many international shows and festivals in the past. As the project developed, however, I also discovered a strong attraction for House and electronic sounds in which I reflect myself a lot, incorporating some Afro vibes. My versatility goes from playing Techno in room 1 at Solida, to a House and electronic selecta at Plastic; in this way, I can express myself completely, without having limits on the type of sounds I want to offer to the public.

IS: What do you feel about Milan? Does the city have any influence on your work?

FK: I was born in a small town near Bergamo, but Milan has been my city for the past ten years. I am constantly influenced by everything it offers in terms of underground music and the people I meet daily (artists, DJs, producers, designers, and creative people in general). Milan means a lot to me, but at the same time, it’s also our starting point, as the main goal is to expand the project internationally and not only with music.

IS: How did you first come to DJing?

FK: Three years ago I started playing music with some friends for fun, to become part of an organisation of parties in Milan; the guys were very kind and helpful to me, but at the time I had other goals and I didn’t feel the project was totally mine musically. The Fatima Koanda project, on the other hand, was born a couple of years ago: one day I had a meeting at Bar Basso with Amed, my friend and manager, who was planning to develop a musical project for which he thought I was perfect. We talked about our vision of music, but mainly about how it had given us strength in some difficult moments of our lives. Immediately there was a strong connection and from there many things happened; the most important one was that Amed introduced me to Ioio, DJ and founder of the Solida party, who tested my skills for a year, set after set, until I played for the first time during a Solida party at Q Club.

IS: Out of curiosity, what do you enjoy most of DJing?

FK: One of the moments I particularly enjoy is music research, I’m always impressed by the amount of artists producing quality music and the amount of available songs. The real value of research and selection consists in establishing an empathic relationship with the audience through the music I like: I love when people dance and let themselves carry away by the energy of the music I play; I think there is nothing more satisfying than seeing the dance floor full of positive energy.

IS: Could we talk about your audience? Would you say your relationship with your listeners has changed over time?

FK: My fanbase is constantly growing and evolving, I am playing in so many different contexts, but they all have in common the kind of sound offered.
This allows me to connect with different kinds of people, and to constantly test the concept of empathy with the audience I mentioned earlier.

IS: How important is style in your performances and work life? And in your personal life?

FK: Style is important to me, from the records I play during my sets, to the outfits I like to have when I play in clubs or everyday situations. As I said before in my answer about how Milan influences me, besides my management, many people constantly give me creative ideas and inspire me. In my personal opinion, music and image can sometimes be a winning creative combination. Everything has to be done in an authentic, creative, and “fun” way.

IS: What’s the “wrap” that frees you?

FK: Music is what makes me feel free, the first thing I do when I get up in the morning
in the morning is to pick up the phone and listen to songs, of any genre. I get carried away by it, like I was daydreaming, sometimes imagining myself in other contexts.
When I was little, it kept me company, bringing out all kinds of emotions, from joy by dancing wildly, to sadness with a good cry.