You might know 59-year-old Julee Cruise’s voice from “Twin Peaks” – she sings the theme song for the cult favorite TV show that’s being revived on Netflix come 2017. But most people at the Creatures of the Wind show on Thursday didn’t recognize the singer, as she took to the stage of of Chelsea’s Masonic Hall in a silver dress from the label’s spring 2017 collection. Regardless, audience members were enthralled—Chairlift singer Caroline Polochek was even moved to tears, though it was unclear if they were caused by Cruise’s ethereal voice or the Swarovski-encrusted military coats on the runway.
“I didn’t want to be too much…but I am bigger than life,” said Cruise after the show, which featured feminine printed frocks and gingham skirt suits – all with touches of detailed lace applique.
“They had, I think, real guts to have me stand up there and sing this music to their beautiful clothes,” she continued. “I fell in love with their line last year and I then I thought, this is classy, this is really nice.”
Though not exactly a household name, Cruise is something of an industry veteran. In 1985, she was tapped to record a song for the film “Blue Velvet,” written and directed by David Lynch, who she would go on to collaborate with throughout the 80s and 90s (most significantly for Twin Peaks, which won a Grammy). Lynch, in fact, produced and wrote the lyrics for many of her songs. Her last album came out in 2011; today, she has a single out with dark folk musician King Dude.
For all that, performing at fashion week was still a dream come true. “To sing at fashion week – I always get so jealous that I wasn’t asked!” she said. “And I feel so good about it now.”
Creatures of the Wind proved to be the perfect fit. “They had great management, great sound, and I had to make sure of all of that before I put my name on anything. I worked with the sound guy, and made sure I didn’t have to fly Robin Denar out,” Cruise joked. “It’s like theater, except theater is more precise. Models can break a heel, or they can walk too fast or they can walk too slow. This worked out just fine.”
Creatures of the Wind spring 2017 show.
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