Stella McCartney Kids commissioned photographer and filmmaker Emily Stein and DOP Simona Susnea to visit a Hackney music class of kids between 6 and 13 and to the sounds of cymbals and cello, let them express their love for music.

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TELL US ABOUT YOUR INSPIRATION BEHIND THE SHOOT.

I wanted to do a shoot that celebrated kids who have a passion for playing music.

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YOU USED A SCHOOL IN HACKNEY IN LONDON FOR THE SHOOT. HOW DID THAT COME ABOUT?

The shoot was done with the music department of Queensbridge Primary School – a very creative and inspiring school with an amazingly bonkers head teacher who turns everything the kids do into an adventure.

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WHAT KIND OF STUDENTS GO THERE?

There is a real mix of kids that go to Queensbridge. The music department is thriving with kids from all different backgrounds – a lot of whom play quite a few instruments. From those whose parents are really privileged to others who are refugees living in a hostel. As one of the kids told me, music brings people together, no matter how different they are.

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WHAT IS IT ABOUT MUSIC THAT IS SO IMPORTANT FOR KIDS’ DEVELOPMENT?

Music is a language for all humans, it gets under your skin and brings out and expresses strong emotions. I am from a family of musicians- my grandfather, my father, my brother, and my husband and his family. Music is something that has always just been there – nourishment for the soul, a way of expressing. When we are young we don’t have the words, so I think music can feel even more important.

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THE CLOTHES HAVE A PLAYFUL AND FUN VIBE – DID THAT INFLUENCE THE SHOOT?

My work really focuses on colour and energy – the Stella Kids clothes have the same spirit so I think it was a great union.

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YOU RECENTLY HAD A BABY – TELL US ABOUT FAMILY LIFE.

Yes, I had a baby girl, Alba Valentine, just a week ago. She is cute as hell!

Taken from Stella McCartney (source).

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Emily is also part of the sister creative power duo Emily and Alice who's sun-kissed mini-doc about about two little Napoli dancers on our site before)

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